Which bars are reopening in Melbourne and how to book them

The Everleigh
There is no cocktail like an Everleigh cocktail, and you can book your table online from November 5 onwards (in fact, you must). There’s no set menu this time, but a deposit is required per person, which will be taken off your bill at the end of the night. Bookings are almost essential online.

Whisky and Alement
From November 5 you can head to Whisky and Alement to sample a range of 70 different bottles of whisky. It’s open three nights a week, and bookings must be made online.

Byrdi
If you like trying new things, you should head to Byrdi. It opened earlier this year before lockdown was a thing and prides itself on creating beautiful, seasonal, unusual concoctions that are bound to delight. Book via the website and sit at the bar or receive table service.

Madame Brussels
Don the most pastel-coloured outfit you own and head to Madame Brussels this spring. The venue resembles a Wimbledon afterparty and fittingly sells Pimms by the jug. It’s accepting table bookings for the first time in history, and you can opt to book from November 4 via the website.

Kirk’s Wine Bar
Why go to Paris when you can people watch from one of Kirk’s Wine Bar’s chic bistro-style chairs? Sit outdoors, order an Aperol Spritz and  watch  the world go by from October 29 onwards. Walk-ins only. 

Bar Americano
If you haven’t tried Bar Americano’s Negroni, now is your chance. The cocktail bar claims to serve the world’s best Negroni, and it opens up on October 28. Place your booking online and opt for a 30- or 60-minute sitting when you do. 

Gin Palace
Cosy up in a defunct bathtub at Gin Palace with a martini and a toasted chicken sandwich. Or sit on chairs and receive table service like a relatively normal person. Either or, Gin Palace is back in action as of October 28 seven days a week from 4pm to 3am. Walk-ins only.

Bar Margaux
Bar Margaux reopens as of November 5, and that means the return of its steak tartare and MGX burger, along with a new spring menu. Not to mention its wide range of drinks. 

Bookings of six or fewer can reserve via the website, or via email for group bookings of up to ten. Walk-ins are accepted for bar seats if the bar is not full. Bar Margaux will open on Thursdays to Saturdays from 5.30pm to 11pm.

Heartbreaker
Heartbreaker will start slinging slices of Connie’s New York-style pizza again from Thursday, November 5 onwards. Enjoy a classic cocktail by Everleigh Bottling Co or one of the usual suspects on the bar menu and bask in the red glow of the neon sign.

All bookings must be made via email, with walk-ins accepted for bar seats if they're not fully booked. The bar will be open on Thursdays to Saturdays from 4pm to midnight.

Eau de Vie
For speakeasy-style drinking and dining, from October 28, you can book a table at Eau de Vie. It’s open Wednesday to Saturday, with walk-ins accepted throughout the evening.

Arbory Bar and Eatery
Sip on cocktails by the Yarra River under the shade of plane trees at Arbory. Not ideal for those looking to get their tan on, but perfect for those trying to avoid getting burnt. Book online to visit either the eatery or Arbory Afloat from October 28 onwards.

Arbory Afloat
Gaze out at the Yarra at Arbory Bar's floating sister bar. Groups over four should book online with walk-ins accepted for groups of less than four. 

Boilermaker House
If your whisky collection is looking a bit sad and you're hanging out for some beer on tap, Boilermaker might be the spot for you. It will be open for walk-ins, but bookings are strongly encouraged.

Bar Lourinhã
Head to Bar Lourinhã from November 5 onwards and relax in its new outdoor area or check out its Mediterranean inspired menu featuring empanadas and croquettes. Book online.

Trinket
Bottomless pizza and cocktails on Fridays. Savour that sentence, because it might be the most delicious thing you’ve ever read. Head to Trinket, Flinders Lane’s pizza and cocktail bar as of October 28, but be sure to book online. 

Rooftop at QT
Enjoy your drink at QT Hotel's glitzy rooftop from October 28. For the first time ever, you'll be able to book a table, which will secure you a seat for two hours. The maximum number allowed per table is four, I'lland you can book via the website.

Loop Roof
For more rooftop action, Loop Roof is opening itself up for bookings with two-hour seatings from October 30. Bookings are essential and can be made via the website.

The Crafty Squire
Open from October 28. Once seated, guests can view the menus, order and pay for their food using their smartphones to minimise contact.

Imperial Hotel
It's known for a venue to watch sports at, and you can now schmooze with friends on its sunlit rooftop with a beer in hand. Book a table from October 28 onwards via the website.

Labour in Vain
Labour in Vain is a Fitzroy institution. Created in 1844, the longstanding pub now calls itself a “haven for rock and roll misfits and locals alike”. Order a pizza from neighbouring Shawcross Pizza and eat it at the pub, or play a game of pool with friends. There’s plenty to do, plenty to drink and plenty to see. It reopens its doors on October 30, and bookings are essential. Reserve via the website. 

Bar Romantica
Café Romantica’s iteration of Bar Romantica is back again, and this time it’s here to serve you sit-down Italian inspired dinner and drinks. Reserve your spot from Tuesday to Sunday, or walk in and sit out the front of its extended street trading area. Bookings are now live via the website. 

Monty’s
Monty’s is conveniently located near two of North Fitzroy’s gems: Piedimonte’s and Edinburgh Gardens. The other gem (Monty’s) reopens on October 30 and will accept walk-ins of groups under four. For bookings over four people, you can reserve via the website.  

Black Pearl
Fitzroy’s Black Pearl has been listed as one of the world’s best bars with good reason. The cocktail bar is set to make its much-anticipated return on October 30 and is currently accepting bookings via the website. 

Neighbourhood Wine
Sister venue of Old Palm Liquor, Neighbourhood Wine, is set to reopen its doors on October 28. It boasts a massive list of local and international wines and is well suited to those looking for a good drop, cosy environment and a French-style meal. Book online. 

Poodle Bar and Bistro
They say that when one door closes another one opens. In this case we’ve had to say goodbye to Rocco’s Bologna Discoteca and hello to Poodle Bar and Bistro. The owners of Poodle are set to open its doors on November 4 and introduce everyone to Patio at Poodle. Expect a seafood-focused summer menu and flowing Champagne on the European-inspired patio, which can accommodate up to 50 guests. Reservations are a must and can be made online.

Marion
Dine indoors or outdoors at Andrew McConnell’s wine bar Marion from October 28 onwards. Reserve online for bookings for six people and under or call 9419 6262 for group bookings. It’s open Wednesdays to Sundays, midday until late, and is the perfect choice for lovers of good wine.

Black Cat Fitzroy
The Black Cat offers decent music and usually showcases local DJs, indoor and outdoor seating and is a well-known haunt for locals. It only accepts walk-ins, and we recommend that you try the Bloody Mary. If you ask them to make it extra spicy it is guaranteed to blow your head off. 

Bar Liberty
Capacity is severely capped, but word is, Liberty will be open for bookings from October 30 via its website. In the meantime, it will continue its ready-made meal service and takeaway bottle shop. 

Builders Arms Hotel
Do you miss the whipped cod roe, cheeseburger and meat from the rotisserie? Well, Builders is back from October 28 for meals in the public bar and dining room. Bookings are essential via the website. Email for parties larger than eight.

Carlton Wine Room
The benefit of having so many rooms and private areas is that Carlton Wine Room will be able to serve its anchovy on fried bread, boozy rum baba and excellent wine list to more people than most venues. Doors are set to open from November 2, with seatings being limited to 1.5hrs. Bookings are available via its website.

Future Mountain
Reservoir's brewhouse will reopen from November 5 with capped numbers for dining and drinking in. Roadhouse BBQ will be providing smoked meats to go with those beers, but if you're unable to be seated, one-litre growlers are still being delivered.

King and Godfree
Head up the lift to Johnny’s Green Room and be greeted by a sprawling view of Carlton and Melbourne’s CBD. The terrazzo rooftop and Aperol on tap will have you thinking you stepped foot into a sunny rooftop courtyard in Rome without a passport. Book now online.

Moon Dog World
Book in for a two-hour food and beverage package at Moon Dog World, laze by the lagoon or try its new outdoor setting from Monday through Sunday, starting on October 28.

Old Palm Liquor
One of our favourite 'pubs' serving an extensive selection of low-intervention wines and South African flavoured dishes is back from October 28 for lunch and dinner from Monday to Saturday. Bookings are available online and will require pre-payment for a $55 per head, two-course set menu. Takeaways will still run until restrictions are fully lifted. 

The Rochester Hotel
Pub meals, pints and good banter will return to the Rochey from November 5. The pub will open on Thursdays to Sundays until restrictions are lifted. Bookings can be made via email.

Dr Morse
Dr Morse offers a sunny courtyard in the back with seating in the front and is conveniently located opposite pizzeria Rita’s. Bookings for any service is essential and must be made online. 

Bodriggy
This Abbotsford brew-pub is serving up its Latin American food and beers outdoors or indoors, with a maximum seating time of two hours. Bookings are essential for indoor drinking or dining via its website, and only walk-ins are accepted for alfresco sessions.

The Provincial
Head to the Provincial’s rooftop bar and enjoy a cold pint from October 28 onwards. There’s also cocktails and a decent selection of bar food courtesy of its Dirty Birdie pop-up menu. Book online via the website.

Plough Hotel
Enjoy a parma and a pint at the Plough from October 29. It will open from Monday to Sunday for dinner service and Friday to Sunday for lunch service, and bookings can be made online. 

Seddon Wine Store
Seddon Wine Store is small and quaint, but its wine selection is anything but that, offering over 500 new and old world wines. It also stocks a variety of craft beers and small-batch spirits for you to take home or enjoy out the front of the store. There’s very limited seating, which is available on a walk-in basis only. 

Back Alley Sally’s
Back Alley Sally's is offering outdoor dining with two-hour sittings or the option to dine inside its venue (which was once an abandoned Footscray warehouse). Sit back with some slices of pizza and a beer or check out the rest of its extensive menu. Book via the website or call 9041 6400.

The Station Hotel
For a classic pub experience in the West try your hand at the Station Hotel. Bookings are essential in order to nab a table and can be made by phoning 9810 0085. 

Mr West
Hop heads, rejoice. The time has come to wander down to Mr West from October 30. Walk-ins are accepted and can sit in its new outdoor area near the front of the bar. Or book via the website to sit upstairs.

Yellow Bird Café
One of Windsor’s favourite watering holes is now open for indoor and outdoor dining and drinking. Run on down to check out its all-day breakfasts and cold beers. It’s open seven days a week from noon until late and only accepts walk-ins.

Bar Carolina
Miss being seen while eating stellar Italian fare? Bar Carolina is opening from October 29 for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bookings must be made via the website, but don't despair if you miss out, takeaway will still be running until the restrictions are fully lifted.

Tetto di Carolina
Dining in Tetto will resume under varied hours from October 29, with up-to-date hours and bookings available through the website. And don’t forget to take advantage of their live music nights.

Hotel Esplanade
Since its renovation in late 2018 the Espy has resembled something out of the Great Gatsby. There are different bars dotted throughout the venue, and it offers nice views of St Kilda Beach. It's a popular spot, so bookings are flying out the door, and bookings can be made via the website.

College Lawn Hotel
Enjoy a couple of bevvies with the boys at Prahran’s College Lawn Hotel. The astro-turf and sunlit beer garden makes it a classic outdoor pub, topped off only with its selection of parmas, burgers, chips, and beers on tap. Book via the website.

Mr Brownie Rooftop Hotel
Walk-in to Mr Brownie’s lavish rooftop in South Melbourne from October 29. The craft beer and curry pub promises a good time and a feed reminiscent of a pub in the UK. Bookings aren’t accepted.

Newmarket Hotel
Join the Newmarket Hotel from October 28 onwards, and check out its range of over 15 different beers and ciders on tap. It also offers a modern take on pub classics if you get hungry and an outdoor dining area. Reserve via the website. 

Middle Park Hotel
Residents of Middle Park, rejoice. Middle Park Hotel is back slinging beers from October 28. Reservations are essential and can be made via the website. 

The Vincent
For those looking to cool down in the heat, the Vincent in Albert Park can offer you refuge and a nice array of cocktails. Situated in Albert Park’s grandest historic hotel, the venue offers alfresco dining along with limited bookings in its indoor dining room. Book via the website.

The Local
The Local in Port Melbourne is a no-frills pub that serves up standard British pub fare, live sport and a diverse range of draught beers. Reserve via its website.

Studley Park Boathouse
This is the ultimate date destination in Kew. You can dine and drink at the picturesque boathouse, then hire a boat to row down the Yarra with your lover in tow. It offers a large outdoor space that can fit up to 50 people at a time, and is available for bookings via the website now. 

Prince Alfred Hotel
The Prince Alfred is a Richmond institution offering a huge beer garden and classic pub fare. Reservations are open from October 28 via the website.

Alexandra Hotel
If you're out by Alexandra, the dining room of the Alexandra Hotel is open for pub dining with a finer edge. The dining room will be open Thursdays to Saturdays from November 9. Book by calling 5772 1014.

The Auburn Hotel
Sidle up to your loved one at one of Hawthorn’s favourite pubs. Its doors are set to open from October 28, and you can visit the website to make a booking.

Harlow
Get on the beers with Harlow Bar from October 28. Check out the rooftop bar by booking via the website now.

Fargo and Co
Bottomless brunch, cocktails and a rooftop bar. Fargo and Co seems to have it all, and you can pay it a visit from October 28. Once seated, guests can view the menus, order and pay for their food using their smartphones to minimise contact.

Beer Deluxe Hawthorn
The beers are set to flow at Beer Deluxe Hawthorn from October 28. Bookings are limited due to capacity restrictions and can be made via the website.