Where to find the best happy hour deals in Melbourne

There's nothing more rewarding than clocking out early for a frosty one on the cheap. Check out these tasty specials then ease into the week with cheap Monday deals, 2-for-1 cocktails and wallet-friendly oyster hours.

$9 knock-off drinks

Celebrate the end of the work day with a cold bev for under a tenner. Happy Hour at Riverland Bar is a glorious two hours of $9 drinks. Grab a table on the banks of the Yarra River and sip selected pints, wines, spirits and spritzes. Available Monday to Friday, from 4pm to 7pm.

Mexican and $10 margaritas

Mesa Verde has been letting the Mexican good times roll for a long time now. Happy hour is on every Tuesday to Saturday from 4pm to 6pm with an epic deal for tequila lovers. Try the bar's famous Tommy's margaritas for just $10. And yes, those are full sized cocktails.

$8 beer, wine and spirits

It's worth knocking off early to score cheap beers in a historic pub. The newly restored Metropolitan Hotel has a cracking happy hour every Monday to Thursday. Get in from 4pm to 6pm to enjoy tap beers, wine and spirits all for just $8 a pop.

$12 cosmos and half price wine

Sit back with a budget-friendly cocktail and soak up the sunshine at Melbourne's biggest rooftop bar. Head upstairs to Good Heavens for $12 cosmos on Thursdays. Get the team together for half price bottles of wine on Tuesdays. Or beat the Monday blues with a gourmet mortadella sandwich and a glass of wine or beer for $25.

Sangria and paella nights

Have you discovered this hidden gem tapas restaurant in Kensington yet? Head to 520 Macaulay Road for a little taste of Spain every Wednesday and Thursday night. Feast on seafood, chicken, chorizo or veggie paella for $15 per person. Throw in a glass of fruit-loaded sangria for just $8 a pop.

City wide cocktail hour

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.

Bocce and pints

Cosy up on Ronnie's pop-up autumn terrace. The Italian restaurant is serving up $12 pints. Order some chichetti snacks and antipasti, knock back a few cold ones and have a game of bocce. Available weekdays from 4pm to 6pm.

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 Champagne or $6 Moon Dog lager. Snack on $3 Southern Rock oysters, $12 pomme frites, or a $40 charcuterie plate to share. 

Vintage wines, just $8 a glass

Life's Too Short Bar offers back-vintage (old and rare) wine, for just $8 a glass, during its happy hours. That's Wednesday and Thursday 4pm to 6pm and Friday 3pm to 6pm. You can also knock back espresso martini royales for $18 all day, every day. But only if you ask nicely!

Movie tickets from $7

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. Whether your passion is art-house films or the latest blockbuster, you’ll have plenty of change for a choc top. Cinema Nova in Carlton, all movie tickets are just $7 until 4pm or $10 in the evening on Mondays.

Oyster hour and pizza Wednesdays

Sure, cheap bevvies are nice. But an hour dedicated to half-priced oysters is heavenly. Fly up to Transit Rooftop Bar for a luxe evening on a budget. Oyster hour runs Friday through Sunday from 6pm to 7pm. Pair those freshly shucked gems with a signature cocktail and soak in the sparkling city views. Or beat the mid-week blues with a pizza and a pint for $25 on Wednesdays.

Cheap jugs and snacks

Happy hour comes every day at Vapiano. Visit on Mondays for $20 jugs and pizzas or get the crew together for happy hour every day of the week from 4pm to 6pm! Frozen cocktails are just $13, all wines are half price and tap beers are only $6. You'd be amiss not to try the $10 pizzas or $5 bruschetta while you're there.