Melbourne's laneway-bar architecture is built for hiding things. The 10 below show why Melbourne is Australia's deepest cocktail city.
Part of our 50 Best Hidden Gem Bars in the World listThis article is one chapter in our larger global guide. See the full pillar with every featured city.
Read the world list
The 10 best hidden gem bars in Melbourne
01 · Melbourne
Fitzroy
$$
No-bookings · Multi-level
The bar that taught Australia how to drink seriously.
Order: Bartender's choice; the Attic if you want intent
02 · Melbourne
Fitzroy
$$$
Speakeasy · Reservations
Michael Madrusan's Fitzroy speakeasy.
Order: A Last Word
03 · Melbourne
CBD
$$
Speakeasy · Down a laneway
Down a laneway off Russell Street.
Order: Bartender's choice with their seasonal feature
04 · Melbourne
CBD
$$
Whisky bar · 800+ bottles
CBD whisky-and-beer bar.
Order: A Boilermaker pairing — they choose
05 · Melbourne
CBD
$$
Standing-only · Tiny
Standing-only espresso-and-cocktail bar.
Order: A negroni or an espresso
Weekly editorial
The bars worth going to, weekly.
One email per week. The bars our editors are recommending right now, across 60 cities worldwide.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
06 · Melbourne
CBD
$$
Two rooms · East/West Berlin
Two-room CBD speakeasy themed as East and West Berlin.
Order: A drink in either East or West
07 · Melbourne
CBD
$$
Speakeasy · Through a candy shop
Through a working candy shop.
Order: A signature spec from the seasonal menu
08 · Melbourne
CBD
$$
Thai restaurant + bar
Thai-American restaurant with a serious cocktail program upstairs.
Order: A signature spec built around lemongrass or galangal
09 · Melbourne
CBD
$$
Natural wine · Counter
Counter-only natural-wine bar.
Order: A glass of pet-nat + their charcuterie
10 · Melbourne
Fitzroy
$$
Bottle shop + counter
Sister to The Everleigh.
Order: A bottled Manhattan from their reserve series
More Melbourne hidden gemsThe full Melbourne hidden-gem-bar index by neighbourhood.
See the full list
How Melbourne hides its best
Black Pearl and The Everleigh are essential. Most peak between 9 PM and midnight.
