Where to find the best happy hour deals in Melbourne

It's time to get happy without breaking the bank. Check out these tasty specials, from cheap movie tickets to half-price margaritas.

Mulled wine winter weekend at Chuckle Park

Melbourne's tiniest hidden laneway bar is heating things up for winter. Settle beneath the hanging floral displays at this cute city hideaway and enjoy $8 mulled wines into the night. Only on during Shop the City (3 to 5 June).

$8.50 movie tickets

Most cinemas have dropped cheap Tuesdays and discount tickets all together. But on Mondays thrifty film buffs can still head to the Kino Cinema, where tickets are $8.50 during the day or $9.50 at night. Whether your passion is art-house films or the latest blockbuster, you’ll have plenty of change for a choc top.

Bubbles and $3 oysters at Chancery Lane

Knock-off drinks just got a whole lot classier with happy hour in the courtyard at Chancery Lane. From 5pm to 7pm, Wednesday to Friday, enjoy a $15 glass of Saint-Gall Champagne or $6 Moon Dog lager. Snack on $3 Cooper Island oysters, $8 pomme frites, or a $40 charcuterie plate to share.

$12 cocktails at The Moat 

Everyone’s favourite subterranean bar, The Moat, offers a selection of $12 cocktails every day 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.

Sunset happy hour at Lui Bar

Check out one of Melbourne's most dazzling views at the Lui Bar. From 4 to 6pm during Shop the City (3 to 5 June) you can order any of their signature cocktails for just $20. That includes 'Lui's lamington' - a vodka and coconut cream dream mixed with cold brew, raspberry and cacao.

Extended rooftop happy hour

To celebrate Fancy Hank's 10th birthday, their upstairs buds Good Heavens will be extending happy hour during May! Sip a slew of epic drink deals from 5pm to 8pm on Monday and Tuesday, and 4pm to 7pm Wednesday to Friday. Relax on the roof with a selection of $8 beers, cider and wine by the glass. Then head down to Hank's for a meat-loaded BBQ feast.

Aperitivo hour at a new late-night espresso bar

Checkerboard floors, marble tables and coffee until 10pm. Find all this and more at Queensmith Baretto, brand new to the espresso wine bar scene. Visit from 3pm to 7pm and sip a $12 spritz or $15 negroni. Get change from a tenner with a selection of $6 wines and beers. Hungry? Gourmet antipasto plates are in high supply.

Half price cocktails

The George on Collins has something for everyone, including half-price cocktails on Thursdays. Head there between 4pm and 6pm to get 50 per cent off the entire cocktail list. Find $12 espresso martinis, mai tais and more. Peckish? Order some sambal chicken wings and kimchi bao buns to share. Or go all out with one of the two ‘feed me’ menus.

High-end happy hour

Okay, we’re pushing the boat out here. The lush Bar Margaux has a ‘Golden Hour’ between 5pm and 7pm. For $95 you can get a bottle of red or white Burgundy and two Margaux burgers. For $125, you can get a bottle of champagne, oysters, frites and steak tartare. Hey, that’s only, like, six ten-dollar margaritas each, right? 

Please drink responsibly.