Must-see nightlife in Melbourne

  • Crafty Squire

    Melbourne

    This vast booze barn houses a James Squire microbrewery, although it's debatable whether a brand owned by a giant multinational brewery can really be…

  • Assembly

    Melbourne

    A far departure from the old-school coffee once encountered in Carlton, Assembly is all about filter coffee with single-origin beans. There's also an…

  • Aviary

    Fitzroy, Collingwood & Abbotsford

    If you want a nightcap after your Vietnamese meal on Victoria St, this atmospheric bluestone inner-city bar has a good range of beers and wines, and good…

  • Beer DeLuxe

    Melbourne

    This popular Fed Sq drinking joint's beverage list is more of a beer bible than a menu, featuring more than 200 bottled beers from around the world and 20…

  • Little League Coffee

    Melbourne

    This small outpost of The League of Honest Coffee (which serves beans from local roasters Padre) is the perfect pit stop when you're wandering around the…

  • Slowbeer

    Melbourne

    The walls of this little shop are lined with craft beer for sale, but you can pull up a seat at the central wooden table and settle in for a drink and a…

  • Boutique

    Melbourne

    This opulent spot on a funky little strip fills its plush booths with lovely, lithe young things who are heavy on the hair product and light on the attire.

  • Federal Coffee Palace

    Melbourne

    Sit and soak up the city atmosphere from one of the tables beneath the colonnades of the GPO. Space heaters keep you toasty when Melbourne turns chilly.

  • Collection

    Melbourne

    This swampy New Orleans watering hole has big glass jars of gin and bourbon resting on its bar and food courtesy of its room-mate, Grindhouse Burgers.

  • Sweatshop

    Melbourne

    This New York–like basement dive bar is worth squashing in for. Quaff American whiskies and craft beers to wash down the inventive Asian bar food.

  • Nihonshu

    Melbourne

    This dark, red-lit sake bar attached to Izakaya Chuji will instantly transport you to downtown Tokyo.

  • Degraves Espresso

    Melbourne

    In atmospheric Degraves St, this institution is a good spot to grab a quick takeaway coffee and wander the laneways.

  • Brunswick Green

    Melbourne

    A cool Brunswick local with a bohemian feel, a leafy backyard beer garden and regular live music.

  • DT’s Hotel

    Melbourne

    This long-standing gay pub hosts drag shows, karaoke, pool competitions and happy hours.

  • Lounge

    Melbourne

    The Lounge has seen a lot of years and still feels like a share house from the early 1990s – in a good way, of course. Evenings are filled with the sound…