Check out these beautiful new rooftops, hidden gems and cosy wine bars for your next night out.

A man sitting in the corner of a wine bar looking at a bookshelf.

Earth Angels

On a Melbourne corner you'll find Earth Angels. This freshly minted bar is serving a genre-defying menu of South-East Asian small plates and natural wine. With jazz nights, farmer's markets and chess clubs on the cards, Earth Angels is a dinner and show type of venue. Part listening bar, part gallery space, you'll have a brand new experience with every visit.

A bartender making a cocktail at Arlechin.

Arlechin

Guy Grossi's beloved laneway wine bar is back in business. And there's nowhere we'd rather go for 5pm knock-offs, midnight spaghetti and bolognese jaffles. The unique, subterranean space doubles as a wine cellar for fine diner Grossi Florentino. Which means their boutique selection of Italian, French and Australian wines is second to none!

Wooden table with cold meat dish and two white wine glasses

Bar Olo

One of Carlton's most beloved Italian restaurants, Scopri, has opened a standalone bar. Bar Olo's focus is on North-West Italian drinks and snacks. Step through the entryway curtain, head to the bar, and order yourself a kitschy cocktail and a bowl of handmade pasta. Finish things off with a scoop of the legendary tiramisu.

People drinking in a cosy vintage style bar.

Mill Place Merchants

Are hidden bars your favourite haunts? Mill Place Merchants is tucked inside a heritage-listed building in Melbourne's CBD. Skilled bartenders are whipping up classic cocktails by candlelight. Vintage interiors pay homage to the venue's former life as a factory that once produced hats, soap, and small goods.

A group of seated people enjoying glasses of wine on the outdoor terrace at Fleet Rooftop Bar, with the Melbourne city skyline in the background.

Fleet Rooftop Bar

After work drinks call for a trip to Level 22. At Fleet expect a curated list of nautical themed cocktails and seafood focused snacks. Take in the iconic city skyline from Flinders Street's tallest rooftop bar.

Dimly-lit modern bar with tall stools.

Amphora

Marvel stadium is upping the ante with a slate of new food and dining experiences. Amphora, and adjoining restaurant Friends of Fire, are serving contemporary drinks and barbeque. Helmed by culinary director, and iconic Melbourne chef, Shannon Martinez the menu is American-leaning. Dinner and drinks at the footy never looked so glam.

Vintage silver tray topped with dressed oysters.

Purple Pit

A subterranean bar owned by two industry heavyweights. Purple Pit is a dimly-lit drinking den of debaucherous decadence. Grab a table and order a round of martinis to your liking and the venue's riff on a McDonald's filet-of-fish. With a soundtrack that spans even the most eclectic discographies, Purple Pit is a bar with a real point of view.

Moodily lit dark bar with customers seated in front of the backlit bar and bartender.

Bar Bellamy

Warm wood and cosy lighting signal comforting times at this neighbourhood local. Bar Bellamy is the ultimate slashie: bistro by way of cocktail bar by way of wine bar. Owners Danielle and Oska Whitehart both have illustrious hospitality pedigrees. Retro snacks the likes of chicken liver cannoli and deviled eggs sit side by side with interesting spins on classic cocktails.

Dining room in a high rise building with large windows and small groups of tables.

Cameo Bar

At 80 floors up golden hour never looked so good. Cameo is the cocktail bar inside Melbourne's newest luxury hotel, The Ritz Carlton. Utilising vintage spirits in the drinks program, experience a vesper martini or amaretto sour as they originally did. Get in quick, as many of their spirits are one of one – once the bottle is gone, so is the beverage.

Dark entrance to a bar with a neon sign.

Santana Rooftop Bar

Melbourne has its fair share of rooftop venues but this new spot is full of personality. Follow the glowing red neon sign up stairs to Santana, a moody bar in the city's laneways. Santana's Latin-influenced menu is matched with a wide range of lesser-known South American wines.

Moody cocktail bar with dim lighting, long bar and wall of windows.

Black Kite Commune

Russell Place icons Gin Palace and Bar Ampere have scored a fresh new neighbour. Downstairs at Black Kite is a cosy cluster of tables surrounding a dark, moody bar. Upstairs is a more intimate affair, with plush booths and swirling ceiling mural to set the mood. Feeling fancy? Press a luxe gold button to summon a refined champagne selection. Or try the seasonally inspired cocktail menu for a unique late-night tipple.

Exterior of Morris House, a white three-level building on a city corner, with balcony seating and glassed-in top floor.

Morris House

Melbourne has just earned itself a new multi-level venue with a pretty epic rooftop bar to boot. Get the crew together for catch-up drinks at Morris House and head to the top level for signature cocktails like the frozen vovo margarita or the pavlova daquiri. The food is top-notch too and is available on every floor. On the lower levels you’ll find a NYC-inspired comedy venue where you can enjoy a beverage or two before catching some of the best Australian stand-up talent.

The brick exterior of a bar with red doors and plants outside.

Myrtle Wine Bar

Enjoy Australian wines paired with native produce in a warm and inviting space at Myrtle Wine Bar. A newcomer to Warburton Lane, the two-storey space is beautifully rustic. To eat there’s aniseed myrtle and saltbush spiced squid. Sardine fingers with whipped Murray cod. Buttermilk damper. And oh-so nostalgic chip shop potato cakes, elevated to gourmet status with salmon roe and cultured cream.

Snack Monster

Venture behind Jimmy Watson's to find another hidden gem. Snack Monster is a tiny bar tucked down a laneway behind the carpark. Find it and be rewarded with nibbles from the everchanging specials menu. It might be pork sliders or duck liver and pancetta pate, with airy chocolate mousse for dessert. This cosy spot is pet friendly too!

More of the best new bars

Sakedokoro Namara

Sakedokoro Namara

An authentic Japanese bar offering over 100 different sake from Japan.

Queensmith Baretto

Queensmith Baretto

A modern day baretto in the legal and business district with an all-day offering.

Nick & Nora's Melbourne

Nick & Nora's Melbourne

A cocktail and champagne bar with a decadent menu that includes oysters and caviar.

V Wine Salon

V Wine Salon

The epitome of the French wine bar experience located in a gorgeous heritage building.

Last updated on Wed 11 Sep 2024

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