The best new bars in Melbourne

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

On a corner in Melbourne's North Melbourne, 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!