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.

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.

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.

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.