Melbourne's eclectic sprit turns up in a wonderful range of nightspots that pepper the streets and laneways throughout the city. Whatever your taste or budget, Melbourne delivers. From the super swanky to the downright cheap, night owls are blessed with a truly assorted bar scene. Whether you want to play like the locals, catch world class DJs or are simply in need of a late night feed, the city will not disappoint.

Cocktails

Whether you are a serious cocktail aficionado or are just looking for a way to start a swanky night out, these upmarket venues are great choices. Offering a combination of classic ambience and expert bar staff with serious mix-making cred and skill, take the opportunity to try something you’ve never heard or tasted before.

1806 | 169 Exhibition Street | Melbourne | Ph: (03) 9663 7722

Current holder of the title Best Cocktail List in the World, 1806 takes its name from the year 1806, the year that the word cocktail was first defined in print. The impressive cocktail list includes at least one drink for every decade from 1806 to now.
Find out more at: www.1806.com.au

Golden Monkey | Rear 389 Lonsdale Street (enter off Hardware Lane) | Melbourne | Ph: (03) 9602 2055

The drinks list here is one of the city’s most superior, with such intriguing house cocktails such as the ‘Chili Chocolate Concubine’ and the ‘Sleeping Dragon’.
Find out more at: www.goldenmonkey.com.au

Seamstress | 113 Lonsdale Street (corner of Cohen Place) | Melbourne | Ph: (03) 9663 6363

This contemporary Asian-inspired locale spans four levels: a welcoming basement bar, ground level kitchen and courtyard area, a stunning first floor dining room and impressive top floor cocktail bar.
Find out more at: www.seamstress.com.au

One-offs

From an innovative outdoor ‘container bar’ made of recycled found objects, to an indoor English garden complete with Pims and white picket fences, to the lush opium den surrounds with red flocked walls, these bars – with the individual out-of-the box style – have been instrumental in putting Melbourne's hidden bars on the map. Don’t miss out on a visit to at least one of them.

Section 8 Container Bar | Tattersalls Lane | Melbourne

A ‘post apocalyptic beer house’ tucked away in a laneway in the heart of Chinatown, Section 8 is a bar with no walls, wooden pallets for chairs and where the drinks are served from an old recycled shipping container.
Find out more at: www.section8.com.au

Madame Brussels | Level 3, 59-63 Bourke Street | Melbourne | Ph: (03) 9662 2775

English garden party décor, quaint outdoor furniture (nestled snugly indoors), green astro-turf, jugs of Pimms and staff decked out in cricket whites, this bar is definitely one of a kind.
Find out more at: www.madamebrussels.com

Berlin Bar | 16 Corrs Lane, Melbourne | Ph: (03) 9639 3396

Gaining entry at Berlin Bar is an intriguing rite-of-passage experience: locate the doorway next to ‘Eurotrash Bar’ on Corrs Lane, climb several flights of stairs to the bar’s locked front door, ring the bell, and wait for a staff member to let you in.
Find out more at: www.berlinbar.com.au

Glamorous

The ideal locations for your most extravagant nights out on the town begin here.

Silk Road | 425 Collins Street | Melbourne | Ph: (03) 9693 9444

This glamorous new venue located in the ‘New York end’ of Collins Street draws its inspiration from the historic Silk Road and fuses European, Middle Eastern and Asian influences.
Find out more at: www.silkroadoncollins.com

Sotano Tapas Bar | Hilton Melbourne South Wharf | 2 Convention Centre Place | South Wharf | Ph: (03) 9027 2000

Sotano wine and tapas bar at the new Hilton Melbourne South Wharf promises vibrant, Barcelona-style dining.
Find out more at: www.hilton.com

RU-CO Bar | Grand Hyatt Melbourne | Cnr Collins & Russell Streets | Melbourne

As part of its recent $45 million redevelopment, Melbourne’s Grand Hyatt’s new flagship bar, RU-CO, is streets ahead of the usual five star hotel offerings, both in ambience and drinks list.
Find out more at: www.melbourne.grand.hyatt.com

Asian Chic

Asian chic and glamour is the name of the day at these chic watering holes whether its opulent east-meets-west furnishings or minimalist Japanese inspired design, asian inspired drinks list, complemented by authentic tasting menus. Visit for the cocktails or sake, but don’t leave without trying at least one dish as well.

Silk Pagoda Rooftop at The Red Hummingbird | 1/246 Russell Street | Melbourne | Ph: (03) 9654 2266

The Red Hummingbird rooftop bar is a Bali-style oasis complete with hanging wicker chairs, palms, timber decking, candles and heated, undercover areas.
Find out more at: www.theredhummingbird.com

Nihonshu | 163 Lonsdale Street | Melbourne | Ph: (03) 9663 8118

Nihonshu is a dedicated sake venue, its minimalist interior, drinks and food menu are directly inspired by the many venues that propagate on the streets of Tokyo.
Find out more at: www.nihonshu.com.au

Golden Monkey | Rear 389 Lonsdale Street (enter off Hardware Lane) | Melbourne | Ph: (03) 9602 2055

Descend down a staircase into an artfully decadent atmosphere full of darkened corners and crevices, decorated with Chinese wooden screens, red hanging shades and rice-paper lanterns, candles burning on low tables, dark wood furniture and leather couches.
Find out more at: www.goldenmonkey.com.au

Seamstress | 113 Lonsdale Street (corner of Cohen Place) | Melbourne | Ph: (03) 9663 6363

This contemporary Asian-inspired locale spans four levels: a welcoming basement bar, ground level kitchen and courtyard area, a stunning first floor dining room and impressive top floor cocktail bars.
Find out more: at www.seamstress.com.au

The view

Melbourne rooftops are the new laneways. Enjoy the view from this top venue.

Siglo | Level 2, 161 Spring Street | Melbourne | Ph: (03) 9654 6300

Perched atop the renowned Melbourne Supper Club, this latest rooftop watering hole has a classic continental feel and picture perfect views. A far-reaching selection of Old World wines and ample gas heaters make for a warm outdoor drinking destination.
Find out more at: Pieces of Victoria, June 2008

Campari House |23-25 Hardware Lane | Melbourne | Ph: (03) 9600 1574

Campari House is an elegant addition to Melbourne's bar and restaurant scene, offering drinkers the choice between a restaurant with outdoor dining area, a dedicated lounge space open till 3am, and a rooftop serving up an excellent pizza and tasting plates menu.
Find out more at: www.camparihouse.com.au

Exotic

Spice Market | Beaney Lane (off Russell Street, adjacent to Grand Hyatt) | Melbourne Ph: (03) 9660 3777

Taking its inspiration from the ancient spice route travelled by traders of old from Asia Minor to the Far East, its richly detailed opulent interior is awash with antiques, exotic furnishings, objects of art, luxe fabrics and an abundance of colour, ceramic and glass mosaics.
Find out more at: www.spicemarket.net.au

All-rounders

For those who don’t want to spend the night pounding the pavement, here are some places where you can linger all night. From a well-thought out drinks list, to a winning food menu and great atmosphere, it’s all here.

Match Bar and Grill | QV Building, 249 Little Lonsdale Street | Melbourne | Ph: (03) 9654 6522

Stemming from chic watering holes in London and Ibiza, Match Bar and Grill is the newest venue from English bar impresario Jonathon Downey. Great food, superb cocktails, and the impressive list of wine is available by the glass due to Match’s state-of-the-art ‘Enomatic’ Wine Samplers.
Find out more at: www.matchbar.com