St Kilda, Elwood & Elsternwick
Opening right up to St Kilda Beach with palm trees and astroturf, Republica is one of the few options for a beach bar in Melbourne. Ditch the food and…
Must-see nightlife in Melbourne
Melbourne
A swanky three-level venue with cocktail bar, club and rooftop bar frequented by southsiders. On Sunday afternoon the rooftop's a huge hit with gay…
Fitzroy, Collingwood & Abbotsford
This long-running men-only pub comes with lots of leather, beer and brawn. Who’s yer daddy? And you don't have to worry about getting home: there's…
Melbourne
Pourovers, AeroPress, siphon, cold drips and daily-changing single-origin African, Asian and Latin American coffees – Campos has it all covered for the…
Melbourne
Follow the smell of fish down an unlikely industrial lane to this veritable cathedral of beer, located in a cavernous brick warehouse. There's usually six…
Melbourne
Enclosed within a cage full of graffiti, wooden-pallet seating and a shipping-container bar, Section 8 is makeshift-cool. It's quite a scene, packing out…
Fitzroy, Collingwood & Abbotsford
Hugely popular with a big cross section of gay men, Sircuit is an old-school gay bar with pool tables, drag shows, a back room and, as the night…
Melbourne
This stylish hole-in-the-wall is decked out in Chinese propaganda posters and Mao statues, and serves an excellent range of Asian-influenced chilli- and…
Melbourne
Front up to the peephole – if you pass muster, snaffle a couch or a pouf. A wiggle on the small dance floor is obligatory. Late-night Saturdays run until…
Growers Espresso & Eureka Coffee
Fitzroy, Collingwood & Abbotsford
Specialising in Australian-grown coffee, Eureka roasts its own beans and has a great selection of single-origins, too. Ask about free cupping sessions and…
Fitzroy, Collingwood & Abbotsford
Local corner institution with a great selection of craft beer on tap. Upstairs is a deck perfect for lazy afternoons, and there's often live music in the…
Melbourne
This dive bar and art space is set over two levels, and within its gritty confines they play everything from electronic to live Polish jazz. Also sells…
Melbourne
No word of a lie, the coffee's great at this bright and breezy cafe. It also serves muffins, cookies, toasted sandwiches and filled baguettes.
Melbourne
Situated in the middle of the South Melbourne Market, Padre offers a perfect (and popular) caffeine-enhanced respite from mad market shopping.
Melbourne
Not in any way resembling a pub from any discernible period in history, this swanky bar has been given a striking fit-out using raw and recycled materials…
Melbourne
Unsignposted above Double Happiness, New Gold Mountain’s intense chinoiserie interior overloads the senses, with decoration so relentless you may feel as…
Fitzroy, Collingwood & Abbotsford
Disappear up the stairs to this atmospheric warehouse space with huge arched windows. Sip serious cocktails, such as a barrel-aged negroni or a pineapple…
Fitzroy, Collingwood & Abbotsford
If 1920s Prohibition-era cocktails are your tipple, then swing by the Noble Experiment for a bottle-aged negroni, a bootlegger's iced tea or a Kentucky…
Melbourne
Opposite Flinders St Station, this heritage pub has been pouring beer since 1861 and makes for a popular meeting spot. Head to the 1st-floor Chloe's Bar …
Melbourne
A bit rough around the edges, this unfussy local is festooned with rock iconography (Bowie and Iggy feature prominently). Religious figures adorn the rear…
Melbourne
Perched below Princes Bridge along the Yarra River, this bluestone beauty keeps things simple with good wine, beer on tap and bar meals that hit the mark:…
Melbourne
Creating a park out of a narrow laneway and an expanse of astroturf, this kooky crew serves huge cocktail jars, fancy sandwiches during the day and pizzas…
Melbourne
This northside outpost of Prahran's Market Lane occupies the tiny front room of a terrace house where you can sidle up to the takeaway window or grab a…
Melbourne
If neo-Tokyo is your thing, or you just have a sudden urge for a sushi handroll washed down with an Asahi, check out Robot. Attracting a laid-back young…
Melbourne
Just up from the Vic Market, Stovetop lives up to its name by preparing and serving its house blend and single origins in stovetop espresso makers. Order…
Fitzroy, Collingwood & Abbotsford
This former nightclub has been transformed into a haven for beer lovers, with 32 taps on offer from Australia and beyond. Pair this with pizzas served …
Fitzroy, Collingwood & Abbotsford
A die-hard local with a retro feel and happy chatter from a relaxed indie crowd. The large curved bar is a top spot to park yourself; the food is honest…
Melbourne
A relaxed corner coffeehouse inspired by American diners, where the filter coffee is bottomless and lingering is welcomed – it's perfect for students at…
Melbourne
A classic Brunswick East local, the art-deco-inspired Alderman has an inviting wooden bar, an open fireplace, a good beer and cocktail selection and…
Melbourne
This pocket-sized place is a proper stand-and-lean espresso bar, serving top-notch coffee courtesy of local roastery Seven Seeds. There are a couple of…
Melbourne
In a side street off Lygon St is this unassuming brewery where you can try a craft brew in full view of the shining vats. In summer, the front courtyard…
Fitzroy, Collingwood & Abbotsford
Flaunting a great all-weather beer garden, the Standard is anything but its moniker. This Fitzroy backstreet local has down-to-earth bar staff and a truly…
Melbourne
Popular with students and young, arty types, this grungy bar has a lively party atmosphere, with DJs playing mainly hip-hop, bass, electro and grime. It's…
Melbourne
This heritage pub hides a fully fledged nightclub with a 24-hour licence. It’s enormous, with distinct rooms over three levels that can fit up to 1000…
Melbourne
Multitasking is much in evidence in this cafe–jewellery store–gallery. There are some small tables on the street, a scattering inside, and a large,…
Melbourne
Head up to Hell's via the narrow stairway from beautiful Centre Pl. It attracts a hip, young crowd who sip classic cocktails, wine, beer or cider and…
Melbourne
If you’re going to do one club in Melbourne, this is your best bet, located in one of the old sheds jutting out into Docklands’ Victoria Harbour. Saturday…
Fitzroy, Collingwood & Abbotsford
This long-established bar is often open when everything else is closed, as the name suggests. The bar attracts a relaxed, young local crowd and bands play…
St Kilda, Elwood & Elsternwick
In the bowels of the wonderfully pompous, turreted George Hotel building is the George Public Bar – formerly the infamous Snakepit – rowdy at weekends and…
Melbourne
This little cafe does a roaring trade with Docklands office workers, filling the gap for great coffee in the area. It's a short walk from Southern Cross…
