How to make the most of winter in Melbourne

Tourists might think winter in Melbourne is too cold for rooftop drinking but locals know otherwise. Plus, there’s no way they’d miss out on the spiked apple cider bar at the Duke of Wellington’s rooftop bar. The bar is taking James Squire Orchard Crush cider, warming it gently and then giving guests the option to spike their drinks with a tot of St Remy brandy, Bati spiced rum or Fireball whisky.

For a magical winter afternoon or evening, climb up to the top of the Imperial on Bourke Street to discover a bewitching world. The magical rooftop features six booths modelled after the sort of stores a witch, wizard or gender non-specific magical being might frequent. And while you can’t buy anything from these stores, you can buy a magical cocktail, like the True Love Potion. The rooftop even does an enchanting wizard's brunch every Saturday (it comes with unlimited potions too).

Fargo is big on brunch year-round but their winter menu spices things up a bit with a festive twist on favourite dishes. Alongside bottomless Mimosas, spritzes, prosecco and moscato, brunchers at Fargo get one item off the menu. With dishes like turkey and cranberry bagels, pavlova waffles and avocado smashed with cinnamon spiced pumpkin, it’ll feel a little like you’re celebrating Christmas six months early. When you book in advance you can even enter the draw to win a jewellery gift pack. 

You might have already seen Beer DeLuxe’s woodland makeover but that’s not all the bar has planned for winter. A six-tap craft beer barrel bar has been installed in the middle of the woodland beer forest. And thanks to Beer DeLuxe’s new subscription service you can really make the most of it. The bar’s beer subscription allows you to drink what you like from the barrel bar for a set period of time (you can choose between five-hour, weekly or 28-day subscriptions). Cheers!

Hip Richmond hangout Harlow is taking a couple of tips about staying warm from Scotland this winter. The bar has teamed up Scottish single malt whisky distillery Glenmorangie to create a series of warming whisky cocktails. Try a whisky-spiked mug of mulled cider; a Scottish Negroni; a fruity Shirley Manson (whisky, Chambord, vanilla Galliano, apple juice and raspberries) or the refreshing Sean Connery cocktail (an Amaretto-laced whisky sour).