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.

Two friends are doing a cheers with a beer and a wine
Riverland Bar

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.

$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.

A group of people are sitting on a rooftop bar drinking cocktails and eating snacks
Good Heavens

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.

Outside a neon-lit restaurant there is a sign saying Yakimono
Yakimono

$10 orange hour G&Ts

Kick back on the stripy sun lounges at Ronnie's pop-up summer piazza. The Italian restaurant is serving up ice-cold Four Pillars G&Ts for just $10 during 'orange hour'. Order some chichetti snacks and antipasti, knock back a few gins and soak in the good vibes on the terrace.

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. 

A woman is drinking a glass of wine and eating oysters and scallops
Chancery Lane

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.

$5 schooners and house wines

Heading out and only got a fiver? Luxe restaurant and bar Amphlett House boasts one of Melbourne's cheapest happy hours. Beer drinkers can sip $5 schooners of Better Beer Lager or Beechworth Pale Ale. For the wine lovers, there's pinot grigio and sangiovese from Domus Vini. Extra thirsty? Upgrade to a pint for $10. It's on Monday to Friday.

A bar table set with wines, beer and snacks.
Amphlett House

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.

Cocktails and pizzas on a table at a restaurant
Vapiano

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!

More dining and drink deals

More money saving fun

Melbourne’s best pub deals

Melbourne’s best pub deals

Find Melbourne's best parma deals, steak nights and cheap pub eats.

Melbourne's best cheap eats

Melbourne's best cheap eats

Pizza by the slice, cheap happy hour deals and more.

Melbourne's best lunches under $15

Melbourne's best lunches under $15

Fuel up on pho, ramen, stacked sandos and more without breaking the bank.

Cheapskate's guide to Melbourne

Cheapskate's guide to Melbourne

Find happy hours, secret foodie spots, stunning exhibits and more.

Last updated on Fri 15 Mar 2024

Only In The City

The ultimate guide to bottomless dining in Melbourne

The ultimate guide to bottomless dining in Melbourne

Eat and drink your heart out with unlimited brunches, lunches and cocktails.

The best new bars in Melbourne

The best new bars in Melbourne

Find the best new spots for nitro cocktails, natural wines and cheeseboards.

Rooftop Bar

Rooftop Bar

Enjoy open-air drinks under the setting sun or a starry sky, with city skyline views to match.

Discover more

The best dining pop-ups in Melbourne

The best dining pop-ups in Melbourne

Find exclusive dining experiences, chef's dinners, street food markets and more.

Her Melbourne

Her Melbourne

A four-storey mega venue celebrating modern food, drinks, music and art.

Melbourne's best old-school diners

Melbourne's best old-school diners

Craving a slice of nostalgia? Kick it oldschool at these classic diners and retro eateries. 

The best hidden restaurants in Melbourne

The best hidden restaurants in Melbourne

Featuring laneway eateries, secret diners and undiscovered spots.