Where to find Melbourne’s best cocktails under $15

Want to save some coin on your next night out? We’ve found Melbourne’s cheapest cocktails and happy hour bargains. 

Tippler and Co, $12 

It’s ‘Tipple Time’ at The Tippler & Co every Tuesday to Saturday. From 5pm to 6pm you can sip your favourite tipple for just $12. The offer includes whisky sours, espresso martinis and amaretto sours and isn’t available on game days. Visit the leafy local on Wednesdays to score half-price gnocchi and pasta too. 

Insignia, $9.50 

This tiny corner pub has the cutest mini drinks, and they’re the cheapest on this list! The fun-sized cocktails at Insignia are a steal for just $9.50. Try the French martini, a blackberry fizz or a cosmopolitan. The friendly old-school pub also cooks up all the classics from parmas to lasagna. Find it opposite the Aquarium on Flinders Street.

Lucas Restaurants, $9.50

From 4pm to 6pm every Thursday you can sip your way through $9.50 signature cocktails at every Lucas Restaurants venue in the city. Start with Yakimono's tequila, sake and lychee loaded Harajuku. Head to Grill Americano to try its namesake drink, the Americano. Down Japanese punch at Kisumé. And pair a zingy cocktail with a snack-sized version of Chin Chin's famous kingfish sashimi.

Chuckle Park, $15 

Wedged off Little Collins, Chuckle Park is a sliver of a bar. And while a lot of Melbourne’s coolest bars can boast a laneway location, this cute spot has its very own mini side street. Head to the vintage caravan bar for happy hour every Tuesday to Friday. From 3pm to 7pm you can score $15 classic margaritas. 

General Assembly, $12

If you can see yourself sipping cheap margaritas waterside, you better get to South Wharf. From 6pm on Friday and Saturday nights at The General Assembly, the margs are $12 a pop. Be sure to try the Davidson plum cocktail. It's made fresh by the bartenders and loaded with tangy Australian flavours.

Mesa Verde, $12

Mesa Verde has been letting the Mexican good times roll for a long time now. Happy hour is on every Tuesday to Friday from 4pm to 6pm with some epic specials. Knock back $7 pints, $12 grapefruit spritzes and $7 wines. Plus try the bar's famous Tommy's margaritas for just $12. Throw in some beer battered fish tacos and grilled sweet corn to complete the feast.

The George, $12 

The George on Collins has something for everyone, including cheap cocktails four days a week. Head there between 3pm and 6pm, Tuesday to Friday to get $12 cocktails and $8 beer, wine and spirits. Try the Tennessee sour, Moscow mule, Tom Collins and more. Peckish? Order some crispy chicken wings and prawn dumplings to share. Or go all out with one of the two ‘feed me’ menus.

The Curtin, $12 

Pregame your gig with happy hour drinks at the John Curtin Hotel. The cheap bevs are flowing every Tuesday through Friday, from 12pm to 5pm. That’s five whole hours of $12 frozen cocktails! The drinks are unabashedly boozy, not bougie. Hungry? The Curtin is also home to Melbourne’s crispiest fried chicken, courtesy of Sonny’s Fried Chicken and Burgers.

The Moat, $14

Everyone’s favourite subterranean bar, The Moat, offers a selection of $14 cocktails Tuesday to Saturday, between 4pm and 6pm. Choose from an espresso martini or a house-made lavender gin concoction. There are also some lovely wines for only $8 a glass, and a heavenly cheese plate menu.

Workshop, $14

Get buzzy with $14 espresso martinis, available at Workshop every Tuesday. Once an old motorbike repair shop, today this space houses Melbourne's best creative talent, from art exhibitions to live music and DJ sets. Not a coffee sipper? Come back on Wednesdays when all cocktails are just $15.

Vegie Tribe, $14.25

Did you know one of Melbourne's best vegan cheap eats spots also does a cracking line of cocktails? Score 25 per cent off drinks at Vegie Tribe from 3pm to 6pm every day, including the stacked cocktail menu. Load up at the pay-by-weight buffet then order fresh fruit-loaded bevs. Think passionfruit margaritas, strawberry mojitos, and rose water pina coladas.

Transit Bar, $15

Lean into the cosy winter vibes with Transit Bar's $15 cocktails and fondue. The offer includes all Transit's dreamy signature cocktails. Pair your melted raclette with a grapefruit soju fizz. Or keep it sweet with churros, hot chocolate sauce and a salted caramel espresso martini. Available on the rooftop all day on Wednesdays and Thursdays.