Sweatshop, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Bars

Experience Melbourne's eclectic spirit with a night out exploring the wonderful nightspots peppering the city's streets and laneways.

Go your own way
Up a flight of stairs, down a laneway, on a rooftop or in an orchestra pit, Melbourne sure knows how to hide a bar. You never know where the next great drinking spot is going to pop up, so let us help.

Tall tales and cocktails
Whether you're after a colourful cocktail with a million dollar view or a few quiet pots in a student dive, you're bound to find something that suits your mood and budget. Bar-hop like a local, dance to world class DJs, be baffled and challenged by installation art, or chow down on a late night snack, the city at night is awash with possibilities.

Rice Queen, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia

Rice Queen

This Smith Street eatery defies the notion that Asian restaurants should either be opulent rose-coloured affairs or slippery-tiled rooms with mirrors...

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Royal Saxon, Richmond, Victoria, Australia

Royal Saxon

Richmond's historic Royal Saxon is now a prize-winning 'urban ruin' after a 2009 refurb by Melbourne designers Six Degrees melding the Royal's...

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The Toff in Town, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

The Toff in Town

Located in Curtin House (a kind of theme park for Melbourne's creative class), The Toff is one of the city's most refined watering holes. With...

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Der Raum, Richmond, Victoria, Australia

Der Raum

If there was an award for winning awards Der Raum would romp it in. One of the most acclaimed bars in Australia, they even host 'cocktail...

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The Red Hummingbird, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

The Red Hummingbird

The Red Hummingbird reinforces Melbourne's love of hard-to-find rooftop bars and killer cocktails. Tips: When you see the little red birdcage...

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Little Press & Cellar, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Little Press & Cellar

Small but perfectly formed wine bars like this one, are a Melbourne specialty. Little Press & Cellar is known for both the noble pedigree of its...

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The Carlton, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

The Carlton

The ever-expanding line-up of bars, rooftop palm trees and gallery spaces within the Carlton Hotel resembles an opulent vertical maze for grown-ups. ...

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Back Bar, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Back Bar

Lavishly decorated in sophisticated old world charm (think rich velvet sofas and ornate chandeliers), Back Bar is a cocktail parlour split between...

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Gun Street Girls at the Esplanade Hotel, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Image: Carbie Warbie

The Esplanade Hotel

Rock, bands, tattoos, filth, singlets, stubble, steak, beer, and delightful views of the St Kilda promenade are all to be found here. The...

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Madame Brussells, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Madame Brussels

A favourite for after-work drinks, Madame Brussels is like Alice in Wonderland meets Alice in Accounts. Decked out with Astroturf and quaint outdoor...

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James Squire Brewhouse, Docklands, Victoria, Australia

James Squire Brewhouse

This isn't your typical microbrewery. For starters, it's positioned on the water's edge and features spectacular harbour views. Also, it hosts a...

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Bennetts Lane, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Bennett's Lane

This dedicated jazz venue off Little Lonsdale is one of the pre-eminent sound dens in Melbourne. Bennetts Lane hosts 450 gigs a year in both the...

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Windsor Castle, Prahran, Victoria, Australia

Windsor Castle

Away from the hustle and bustle of Chapel Street is this eccentric and beloved bar on the city fringe. The Windsor's lime facade and parade of...

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The Collection Bar, East Richmond, Victoria, Australia

The Collection Bar

With its ultra-modern design, The Collection Bar is the place to pretend you're at your own apartment drinking cocktails, eating tapas, and sitting...

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Borsch Vodka and Tears, Prahran, Victoria, Australia

Borsch Vodka and Tears

While the Russians get all the notoriety, the majority of the world's vodka actually comes from Poland. Drop into this Eastern European...

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