Melbourne

Hotel Esplanade

The Espy

Open since 1878, for over 100 years the Esplanade Hotel has been one of Melbourne's and indeed Australia's premier live music venues. Since the early days of string performances in the late 1800s the Espy's hallowed stages have been graced by many of Australia's and the world's major musicians, as well as other acts such as stand-up comedians. On an average week the pub plays host to over 50 bands across 3 stages, much of it free.

Mon-Thu noon-late, Fri Sun 11AM-late

Patricia Coffee Brewers

Trendy, bare-bones, standing-room-only spot for artisanal coffee ground on-site, and small treats.

Mon-Fri 7AM–4PM · Takeaway · Outdoor seating · Wheelchair accessible

Gales Brewery

Small local neighbourhood brewery, with the two brewers recommending and serving their beers. You can bring your own food.

Open Thu-Sun · Brews its own beer · Outdoor seating

Madame Brussels

This English Garden party themed bar is on the roof and serves up excellent cocktails by staff in Tennis outfits. Cocktail jugs $30 and $50, 2+ and 4+ serves respectively

We,Th 16:00-23:00, Fr 16:00-01:00, Sa 12:00-01:00, Su 12:00-23:00 · Outdoor seating · Wheelchair accessible

Hop Nation Brewing

A hidden brewery worth making a trip for. Easily reached by the bike and pedestrian Maribyrnong River Trail. they also have outstanding pizza.

Thu 3-7PM, Fri 2-9PM, Sat noon-9PM, Sun noon-6PM · Brews its own beer

The Carlton Club

Melbourne. Great late night joint or middle of the day, very functional with heaps of little spaces to get cosy and open areas to get your Sunday on. The rooftop bar in up there with the best in town. A must for people coming to Melbourne.

Su-Tu 15:00-00:00; We 15:00-02:00; Th-Sa 12:00-03:00 · Outdoor seating

Bar Josephine

Casual, cosy, tucked-away bar with interesting beers (including a beer lucky dip!) with board games and repurposed bus seats.

daily 1PM-1AM

Brother Baba Budan

Speciality coffee shop serving cakes in a quirky space with wood panelling and bar stools.

Mon-Sat 7AM–5PM, Sun 9AM–5PM

Cookie

Excellent bar and cocktails with an upstyle crowd that likes to party hard. Has a restaurant upstairs for dinner serving excellent Thai-inspired meals.

Mo-Fr 00:00-01:00,12:00-24:00; Sa,Su 00:00-03:00,12:00-24:00

Heartbreaker

Bar with an extensive beer list and a solid decor. Also specialises in pizza and with a friendly staff.

Su-Tu 5PM-1AM, W 5PM-3AM, Th-Sa 3PM-3AM

My Aeon

Techno/psy-trance club offering two floors, large smokers' area and fantastic Funktion-One speakers. Different events every night.

10pm - 6am Fri-Sat · ~$20 entry

Royston Hotel

Great local microbrewery beers, great pub food and quiet atmosphere. Don't bother with the restaurant section out back, just stick to the front bar. The chips are amazing value and Monday/Tuesday is locals night for slightly cheaper meals ($17-20). Avoid on Wednesdays unless you have a trivia booking or you may not find a seat.

3PM-midnight · $10-25

The Brunswick Green

The best beer garden in Brunswick (and possibly Melbourne), with live music outside on Sunday afternoon. The best place to spend a summers afternoon.

Tue-Thu 4PM-midnight, Fri 3PM-1AM, Sat 2PM-1AM, Sun 2PM-11PM · Most wine $8.50 a glass, chips $8 a bowl

The Gin Palace

Serious cocktail aficionados should check out this place, for a welcome mix of knowledgeable bartenders, funky bordello ambiance and a laid-back crowd.

Mo-Su 16:00-03:00

The Goat Bar

This is the brewery that started the microbrewery fashion in Melbourne back in the early 1990s. The brewery is at an industrial warehouse that holds the Mountain Goat Beer brewery, and if you go on Wednesdays you can join a free brewery tour at 6:30PM (no need to book for groups under 4). Otherwise, drop in for good local beer and pizza. Bike friendly but can get very crowded on Fridays.

Wed Fri 5PM onward

The London

The London is a large tavern, with lots of room to sit down and have a drink, or enjoy a high quality pub meal. Show sports on various channels. Can be very crowded during a big sporting event, and before and after an AFL match at the MCG.

11am - late

Bridge Road Brewers

In 2024, the brewery from Beechworth, Victoria established their branch in Melbourne. Certified independent brewery.

Outdoor seating

Section 8

A bar in a car park made from shipping containers. 'Nuff said?

Outdoor seating

7 grams

For a 'best in show' coffee (check out the shelves housing their trophies). Despite these grand accolades, the cafe is unpretentious, with an understated decor and a row of black-topped, chrome-legged stools along a mirror bar. It's an all Greek family affair, with the three Haralambopoulos brothers running the cafe, while their mother Georgia helps out behind the scenes.

All Nations Hotel

Can be a bit hard to find, (head south off Victoria Street or north from Bridge Road), but well worth the effort. Fabulous bar menu, friendly staff, cosy snug bar and airy beer garden. The sort of pub where everyone knows your name. Open til 11pm every night.

The Alderman

Low key, comfortable and cosy bar. Just like Fitzroy bars used to be like. Small courtyard in the back. Sicilian food from Bar Idda (next door) can be ordered.

The Kilburn

Cosy cocktail and wine bar in a former smoking lounge on the corner of Glenferrie and Burwood Roads.

Bonehead Brewing

On-site independent brewery with comfortable drinking area with open fireplace. There's usually food trucks out front.

Fri 4-11PM, Sat 1-11PM, Sun 1-10PM

Borsch, Vodka and Tears

Borsch, Vodka and Tears is a Polish vodka bar, serving quite a number of genuine Polish vodkas, a number of other vodkas and a reasonable amount of decidedly non-Polish absinthe. Ordering vodka in the slightly smaller tasting glasses is a comparatively economical way to drink.

Dukes Coffee Roasters

Speciality outpost crafting home-grown coffee in a stylish interior with light, wood-panelled walls.

Mon-Fri 7AM–4:30PM, Sat 9AM-5PM, Sun closed · Takeaway · Wheelchair accessible

Mr West

Bar (upstairs) and bottle shop (downstairs) with a humongous number of beers on tap, plus wine and fancy spirits. Order pizza from the place across the street using QR codes at your table, or BYO food. Seating out front or upstairs. You can choose from the larger bottle shop selection and drink there as well.

The Workshop Bar

This relaxed bar is in a former motorcycle workshop, hence the name. Run by the same people who run e55.

65 Degrees

The owners have a long history of accolades. Champion barista, world latte artist and award winning coffee blend, gridlock coffee. Fast, friendly service and some of the finest coffee around.

9T4

Place to go once the Corner across the road serves last drinks. Smallish but heaps of atmosphere and bands on weekends.

Naked Espresso Bar

They claim to specialise in serving and educating their customers all about speciality coffee. Their premium house blend, “Mega Choc” is always on offer, along with a rotating single origin of the day. Also on order are alternative brewing methods such as Aeropress, V60, Syphon and Cold Drip.