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Cocktails & speakeasies

Cocktails & speakeasies in Melbourne

Craft drinks and speakeasies — quiet enough to talk.

Example nights

Real Melbourne venues, put together by our planner. Refreshed Jul 20.

Cocktails at Katuk in South Yarra, then dinner at Zhou Zhou Bar.

  • 01KatukSouth Yarra · $$
  • 02Zhou Zhou BarSouth Yarra · $$

Cocktails at Byrdi in Melbourne (3000), then dinner at Father's Office Speakeasy Bar.

  • 01ByrdiMelbourne (3000) · $$$
  • 02Father's Office Speakeasy BarMelbourne (3000) · $$

Cocktails at Her. in Windsor, then dinner at Tully's Bar Diner.

  • 01Her.Windsor · $$$
  • 02Tully's Bar DinerWindsor · $$

Top 12 venues

  1. 01

    Bouvardia

    Melbourne (3000) · $$

    Craft cocktails with bartenders who know their stuff—Ted, Gabriel, Mackie. Small space, sit at the bar, stay late.

  2. 02

    Eau De Vie Melbourne

    Melbourne (3000) · $$$

    Bookcase door hides a classy cocktail lounge with theatrical presentations, Scottish whiskeys, and a buzzing Saturday-night crowd.

  3. 03

    Double Happiness

    Melbourne (3000) · $$

    Laneway cocktail bar, Communist-kitsch decor, bartenders who actually care. Tight, packed, still feels intimate.

  4. 04

    Above Board

    Collingwood · $$

    Upstairs in Collingwood, hidden and tight — cocktails dialed in, staff who actually want to talk, feels like you got lucky getting in.

  5. 05

    Caretaker's Cottage

    Melbourne (3000) · $$

    Heritage bluestone cottage, monthly-rotating cocktail menu — house martini's worth the trip, decor's the excuse to linger.

  6. 06

    Byrdi

    Melbourne (3000) · $$$

  7. 07

    Bar Bellamy

    Carlton · $$$

  8. 08

    Gin Palace

    Melbourne (3000) · $$$

    Late-night martinis & classic cocktails in a quirky basement lounge with eclectic old-world decor.

  9. 09

    Katuk

    South Yarra · $$

    Library-dark cocktail bar up a Chapel Street staircase — books, board games, couches. First dates or quiet nights; weekends get lively. Knowledgeable pour.

  10. 10

    Evil Thoughts

    Brunswick East · $$$

    Gothic skater bar on Lygon St with hand-made Orgeat, house-crafted cocktails, and owners who remember your name. Write your evil thoughts in the box.

  11. 11

    Her.

    Windsor · $$$

    Laneway cocktail bar in a converted garage — rooftop when you want air, couches and flickering lights when you don't. Easy to book for birthdays.

  12. 12

    Goldilocks Rooftop Bar

    Melbourne (3000) · $$

    Craft cocktails, rotating menu, rooftop views — take the rickety elevator up for the good-bar vibe and stay for the espresso martinis.