Five of the best: Melbourne cocktail bars
Words: nicole van cuylenburg
From Melbourne rooftop bar institution to alluring cocktail bars in the CBD and inner city, your next tipple beckons.
While any day’s a good day for a margarita or spritz in our books, there’s nothing warmer weather to refresh your palate with new flavours. Now that summer’s in full swing, it’s the perfect time to sip away in some of the best cocktail bars Melbourne has to offer. Our 5 favourites are just the beginning. Cheers!
Cookie Melbourne - 252 Swanston St, Floor 1 Curtin House, Melbourne CBD icon
You go to Egypt for the pyramids, and you go to Melbourne for Cookie’s insane range of cocktails, beer, wines and Thai fusion food. Their menus for each are biblical as they are cosmopolitan. Whether you’re after a classic like a lychee martini or daiquiri, or want something more exotic like the Green Room’s tropical mix of gin, Midori, pandan and kiwifruit, you’re in good hands. Can’t decide? Pick from the whimsical cocktail names and see what happens.
Naked for Satan - 285 Brunswick St, Fitzroy inner city rooftop favourite!
Memorably named after Russian immigrant and founder Leon Satanovich, Naked for Satan in Melbourne’s inner north boasts a gorgeous rooftop that invites you to linger. Vodka lovers will be satiated with infusion flavours like caramel, opium and rose, and Turkish delight. In the mood to share? A carafe of the Naked Mule – vodka, ginger beer and lime juice will hit the spot.
1806 - 169 Exhibition St, Melbourne CBD bougie perfection
Located in between Princess Theatre and Her Majesty’s Theatre, 1806 exudes moody elegance. It has 3 areas perfect for lively mingling, parties and those preferring a more subdued and intimate setting. Want to impress at your next dinner party? Try an 1806 masterclass led by one of their many mixologists. There’s also live jazz on Thursdays and Sundays. Cin cin!
Bar Bellamy - 164 Rathdowne St, Carlton European flair
Their European bistro fare and cocktails adjust seasonally and can be kept up with by scrolling their socials, but safe to say you’ll find Bar Bellamy’s warmly lit cosy interior, communal tables and art on the walls a charming change from the bustle of the CBD. Their tipples quite often employ Australian native flavours like kakadu plum, Daintree melon and even Vegemite!
One or Two - 18 Celestial Avenue, Melbourne CBD Japanese escape
Just one of many things Melbourne does so well is sneak culinary gems into unassuming spots. In the midst of Chinatown, slip into One or Two and you could be mistaken for being in one of Tokyo’s countless tiny bars tucked away in sidestreets or down flights of stairs. In this case, One or Two is a fabulous whisky and cocktail bar perfect to add to your night crawl. Its cocktail menu is split across four categories – All Time, Original, Reimagination and Guest Bar – the last three of which change constantly. If you’re after the classics like a Margarita, Martini or Old Fashioned, the All Time selection has your back. If you’re adventurous, you’ll love their daring use of savoury flavours like chilli and XO sauce. Kanpai!
