Melbourne’s best bars behind hidden doors

If there’s one thing Melbourne loves, it’s a hidden bar. Add the extra intrigue of a secret doorway entrance and we simply can’t resist. Here’s how to discover some of the best.

Mill Place Merchants

It may look like a sewing shop, but behind the secret mirrored wardrobe door lies a vintage speakeasy. Mill Place Merchants is tucked inside a heritage-listed building in the city. Skilled bartenders are whipping up classic cocktails by candlelight. The stunning interiors pay homage to the venue's former life as a factory that once produced hats, soap, and small goods. 

Apollo Inn

The team behind Gimlet have entered Melbourne’s bar scene and opened Apollo Inn – a few doors down from the iconic restaurant. Enter this dimly-lit 1920s building and pass through the mysterious velvet curtains. Order cocktail creations like the Gibson martini with cucumber brine. Or the the Kumquat Daisy made with Don Julio tequila and citrus. Then snack on small plates like raw tuna with scallop, green olive and blood orange and smoked artichoke with seaweed butter.

Solace

Fans of science lab-themed Croft Institute have waited five long years for a new bar in this secret Chinatown space. Find Solace down a graffiti-clad laneway and enter through its hidden door. Here you’ll discover underground DJs, live bands and an intimate listening room. Head to the bar and order a glass of natural wine and toast to good times and good music.  

Dessous

Seek out this wine bar behind a fire-escape entrance and descend into old-world glamor beneath Flinders Lane. With dark floral wallpaper, marble tables and vintage flourishes, Dessous feels decidedly chic. Snack on small plates that complement the biodynamic and sustainable wine list. Perhaps a spanner crab donut with salmon caviar or scallop with pork cheek and finger lime.

Her Music Room

Located on level one of the multi-venue vertical playground Her, The Music Room is a beacon for audiophiles and vinyl collectors alike. Behind a soundproof door is an impressive collection of handpicked records lining the walls. Settle in with a whiskey and let the guest DJs and selectors spin your soundtrack until 3am. This listening bar is a sanctuary from the buzz of the rooftop above.

Eau de Vie 

Behind a heavy, unmarked door in tiny Malthouse Lane is Eau de Vie. Step into the warmth and get transported back to the speakeasies of the 1920s. The bar staff here are beyond expert, the cocktails are next level. They double-down on the hidden bar idea with their Whisky Room, which is secretly hidden behind a bookcase. This is where all the rare and exclusive whiskies live. 

Wax Music Lounge

From the team behind the iconic Wax Museum Records store comes a sleek new basement hideaway. Blink and you could miss the entrance to the Wax Music Lounge which boasts a bespoke sound system and epic music program showcasing the city's underground scene. Sip natural wines and craft beer as you sink into the sounds spun by local DJs. 

New Gold Mountain

This Chinatown bar riffs on the dens of iniquity that sprang up during the great Victorian gold rush. Look for a bike and a ‘21’ above a gold door and you’ll find the stairs to New Gold Mountain. Lounge over two levels, richly decorated in beaded curtains and moody paper lantern lighting. Cocktails use 100 per cent Australian spirits and ingredients. Try the ginger infused ‘Blinky Bill’.

Heroes

Back with a brand new look, Heroes has taken over the former Nitro Lab ice cream space with a mini dumpling cocktail bar. After you've knocked back a bit of both, step inside the neon-topped elevator to explore the rest of this multi-storey party palace. Head all the way up for urban rooftop views or book a basement karaoke session.

Bartronica

At Bartronica, arcade games and adult refreshments unite. But first you’ve got to find that obscure door leading down to an unremarkable tiled stairwell. Once you do, you’ll land in a basement bar packed with classic arcade games and machines. Bartronica also has a fabulous selection of Japanese whiskies, as well as refreshing tinnies and seasonal beers.

State of Grace

State of Grace has a smart-casual Euro bistro and a stunning rooftop bar. But the real hidden gem? Fall From Grace, the cocktail den hidden behind a trick bookshelf. Pull down a book and the staircase is revealed. No one will find you here as you cosy up with a cocktail like the spicy watermelon margarita or French martini.