Explore Melbourne’s Nightlife: A Guide to the Best Bars and Must-Visit Hotspots

Tucked beneath Little Bourke St, Juliet Melbourne is an intimate, sleek underground bar with a strong female-forward ethos. The beverage list features dynamic women distillers and winemakers from around the world, alongside an exceptional selection of craft cocktails. Small bites complement the drinks, offering a perfect pairing for the sophisticated yet laid-back atmosphere. As moody as it is sophisticated, this Juliet Melbourne offers a unique, intimate experience.

Named best bar in Australasia, Caretaker’s Cottage, nestled behind the century-old doors of a former church caretaker’s residence, is a 50-capacity bar that radiates crisp cosiness. With paisley wallpaper, bespoke joinery, and leather banquettes, it offers an intimate ambience, complemented by an all-vinyl soundtrack that enriches the warm hospitality. You’ll find a small but interesting wine list along with Guinness and a rotating selection of Aussie craft beers on tap. The classic cocktails are crafted with surgical precision, and while they don’t reinvent the wheel, they remind us why the wheel was made in the first place.

Above Board is an intimate cocktail bar in Collingwood, seating just 16 guests, with no standing allowed. Located above BeerMash on Smith Street, patrons enter via a staircase down a laneway at the back of the beer bar. The minimalist design features a central American walnut table, fostering a communal vibe. So intimate, you’ll feel like you've dropped by a mate’s place (if that friend were an award-winning mixologist), owner and bartender Hayden Lambert offers a curated menu of classic and signature cocktails, with an emphasis on old-fashioned hospitality. 

If Melbourne wrote a love letter to the roaring twenties, it would be Gimlet at Cavendish House. Housed in a stately building on Russell Street, this cocktail bar oozes old-world glamour. High ceilings and soft lighting recall the atmosphere of the grand hotels of London and New York. The cocktails are elegant, with a focus on timeless classics. Order a gimlet (obviously) and soak in the romance of the place.