BEST COCKTAIL BARS MELBOURNE

The Atrium on 35 occupies the 35th floor of the five-star Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, offering panoramic city views within a soaring mirrored space topped by a striking fifteen-floor canopy. The luxury bar serves champagne, signature cocktails, boutique beers, fine wines, and light meals in an exclusive, welcoming setting. The cocktail menu ranges from classics such as Mojitos and Manhattans to 1940s-1950s Tiki-inspired drinks, all crafted to pair with the venue's spectacular urban vistas. Operating from 5pm each evening with Monday-Tuesday happy hour between 5:30pm-6:30pm, the bar attracts guests seeking sophisticated aperitif experiences and elevated drinks in a refined setting. The architectural design and elevated location position The Atrium as one of Melbourne's most distinctive cocktail venues, combining refined service standards with contemporary design within a historic luxury hotel.

Bond Melbourne, located at 24 Bond Street in Melbourne's CBD, is an upscale bar and nightclub designed by award-winning architects Hachem and inspired by sophisticated 007-style aesthetics. The venue features opulent decor with deluxe armchairs, space-age curved walls, and a flexible layout divided into up to seven sections including intimate private booths with separate bars and bathrooms. The bar programme emphasizes beautifully presented contemporary cocktails, bottle service, and fine wines accompanied by cigars at an exclusive front bar and contemporary canapés. Weekend DJ performances and live entertainment create an electric yet refined atmosphere suited to Saturday nights out, private celebrations, and corporate events. Operating at the premium end of Melbourne's nightlife spectrum, Bond positions itself as a destination for VIP guests seeking unforgettable experiences combining sophisticated design, attentive service, and curated hospitality within an amphitheatre-like setting.

Byrdi is a transient wine bar and kitchen located within Melbourne Central at 211 La Trobe Street, created by Luke Whearty and Aki Nishikura of Singapore's acclaimed Operation Dagger. The venue ranked #35 globally at the World's 50 Best Bars in 2024 and earned Australia's Cocktail Bar of the Year in 2023, with bartender Sam Thornhill winning Bartender of the Year at the 2024 Boothby Drink of the Year Awards. A rotating menu of ten weekly cocktails showcases seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients prepared in an open bar-kitchen layout visible to patrons, while small plates cooked over fire arrive charred and smokey, complete with dramatic liquid nitrogen presentations.

Curious is a subterranean cocktail bar located at the W Melbourne hotel, descending via a dark spiral staircase into a timber-clad basement space that has earned international design accolades. The seasonal menu features theatrical cocktails that explore texture, aroma, flavor, and illusion through edible garnishes, dramatic serves, and house-crafted syrups, paired with small bites and sharing plates. Open Tuesday through Thursday from 5pm and Friday-Saturday from 5pm to 1am, it delivers an immersive sensory experience for all-night cocktail exploration in Melbourne's CBD.

Eau-De-Vie is a hidden speakeasy at 1 Malthouse Lane in Melbourne's CBD, styled as a 1920s prohibition-era refuge with low banquettes, cozy booths, and theatrical bartending. The venue features a main bar, a secret Whisky Room concealed behind a bookcase with rare whiskies and personal lockers, and the exclusive Eau-De-Vie Library hosting up to 16 guests for 5-course cocktail degustations. Operating Tuesday to Thursday 5pm-late and Friday-Saturday 4pm-1am, it offers signature cocktails, whisky tastings, and recurring experiences like Whisky & Cheese Tuesdays, accommodating both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Lui Bar is an upscale establishment located on Level 55 of 525 Collins Street in Melbourne's CBD, offering sophisticated dining and refined cocktails with likely impressive city views from its high-rise position. Connected to Vue de Monde, the venue combines a contemporary culinary focus with an accessible menu and reservation system for planning visits. Offering private function spaces and gift vouchers through their events partner, the bar caters to those seeking elevated hospitality experiences in one of Melbourne's most prestigious addresses, contactable at +61 3 9691 3888.

Nick and Nora's is a premium cocktail and Champagne bar in Melbourne's CBD, inspired by the glamour and elegance of the post-prohibition 1930s era. Located at 11 Benson Walk within an arcade connecting Collins Street to Little Collins Street, the venue features over 400 Champagne bottles paired with expertly crafted cocktails by skilled bartenders. The refined interior, reminiscent of classic Hollywood sophistication, complements signature offerings including oysters, caviar, and curated canapés. Smart casual or elevated attire is required at this upscale establishment, which ranks #15 in TimeOut's Top 50 Melbourne Bars and regularly hosts live entertainment, happy hour, and special events including High Tea Sundays.

Pearl Diver is Melbourne's premier cocktail and oyster bar located at 56 Little Bourke Street in the Theatre District, balancing a rowdy cocktail bar atmosphere with refined inner-city dining. This 100-seat venue, owned by Pez Collier and Alex Boon, specializes in fresh Australian oysters prepared three ways—natural, dressed, and cooked—alongside craft cocktails with customizable martinis. The understated glamour and warm, relaxed yet lively service have earned it recognition as Melbourne's Best Cocktail Bar according to Urban List and #20 in TimeOut's Top 50 Melbourne Bars. Beyond the core offerings, Pearl Diver hosts masterclasses, product showcases, and seated dinners, making it a versatile destination for both quick visits and extended evenings.

One or Two is a 26-seat contemporary cocktail and whisky bar located in Melbourne's historic Chinatown within an 1895 heritage building. Opened in 2022 as the first independent venture by bartender Andy Chu, the venue draws inspiration from Japan's Midnight Diner television series and embodies wabi-sabi design principles through minimalist interiors of warm wood tones and natural materials. The curated program highlights 50 small-batch whiskies paired with a refined cocktail menu, including innovative drinks like the milk tea-inspired Yin Yang Milk Punch. With philosophy centered on 'drinking less and drinking better,' the intimate, tranquil space offers respite from Chinatown's bustling energy, ideal for pre-dinner drinks or an after-work retreat.

Murmur is Melbourne's iconic sing-along piano bar located in the CBD, billed as the city's loudest and liveliest karaoke-style venue where patrons belt out favourite songs while enjoying cocktails. The speakeasy-inspired establishment features live entertainment from various pianists throughout the week, with special themed events including Divas Only and Broadway By Request nights. Murmur offers premium cocktails with promotional deals Wednesday through Thursday, plus a full food and beverage menu. Operating Wednesday to Friday from 5:00 PM and Saturday from 6:00 PM, with music starting at 7:00 PM, Murmur accommodates private functions including weddings and engagements.

Gin Palace is an upscale cocktail bar in Melbourne's CBD designed with luxurious elegance featuring chandeliers, gilt-framed gallery walls, and ornate gold accents throughout. The venue specialises in premium gin-based cocktails and curated experiences, such as high tea events featuring bespoke cocktail pairings with canapés by renowned chef Andrew McConnell. Operating 7 days a week from 4:00 PM to 3:00 AM, Gin Palace serves as a late-night destination for gin enthusiasts and cocktail connoisseurs. The establishment also features an on-site retail shop and offers private event and reservation services through its booking system.

Bar Clara is an intimate cocktail bar at 87 Little Bourke Street in Melbourne's Chinatown, specialising in unique seasonal cocktails unavailable anywhere else. Established in 2019, the venue features a distinctive aesthetic with pink neon signage and plush green velvet seating, positioned directly opposite Her Majesty's Theatre. Friendly bartenders create indulgent cocktails distinguished by commitment to genuine seasonal ingredients and innovative culinary techniques, taking guests on curated drinking adventures. Open 7 days from 5pm onwards, Bar Clara welcomes reservations, walk-ins, and private functions, serving as an ideal choice for romantic date nights, pre-theatre drinks, and after-work libations in an atmosphere that balances sophistication with intimate charm.

Spice Market was Melbourne's premier nightlife destination for 17 years, located in Beaney Lane off Russell Street adjacent to the Grand Hyatt. The venue drew inspiration from the ancient spice route, featuring opulent Middle Eastern and Far Eastern furnishings with iconic Buddha statues and distinctive arched passages. Operating as a seated cocktail lounge before 10pm with full table service, it transformed into a high-energy nightlife venue with immersive music and feature lighting. The venue permanently closed on January 1, 2026, due to Grand Hyatt building redevelopment.

Manchuria is a sophisticated hidden cocktail bar in Melbourne's Chinatown, operating for over 15 years at Level 1, 7-9 Waratah Place off Little Bourke Street. Described as "one part opium den, one part jazz club," the venue masterfully blends old-world Asian aesthetics with contemporary Melbourne style, creating a moody, intimate atmosphere enhanced by soft lighting, incense, and live jazz music. Seating includes exclusive alcoves and clustered couches ideal for dates and celebrations. The bar offers creative cocktails including signature drinks like the Lemon Drop Martini, alongside an extensive whisky selection and Asian-influenced tapas featuring Peking duck and soft-shell crab. Reservations are recommended, especially for alcove seating.

Fable Melbourne is Australia's tallest rooftop bar, positioned fourteen storeys above Lonsdale Street in Melbourne's CBD with stunning panoramic city views. The venue features distinctive design elements including velvet salmon-coloured booths, Ancient Greece-inspired flooring, olive trees, and an emerald green bar creating a modern Mediterranean aesthetic. Three-quarters of the space has a retractable roof for year-round dining. The seasonal Mediterranean-inspired menu centers on fresh seafood, tender meats, and produce-driven share plates crafted by Executive Chef Alex Xinis, who previously helmed two Michelin-star kitchens. The creative cocktail list, led by Bar Manager Chantalle Narith, features clever reworkings of classics with mostly gluten-free and vegan-friendly options using aquafaba as an egg white substitute.