After dark · Melbourne, Australia
15 Best Bars & Nightlife Spots in Melbourne
State of Grace leads the night. The rest of Melbourne's best pours follow, by real review volume.
Ranked by traveler review volume across the bars and nightlife spots we track in Melbourne. Updated monthly.
State of Grace
BarState of Grace is a renowned cocktail bar located on King Street in Melbourne's central business district.
Read our full guide →Eau De Vie Melbourne
BarTucked away down a nondescript laneway, Eau De Vie Melbourne is a speakeasy-style bar that rewards those in the know.
Read our full guide →Rooftop Bar
BarFree entryThe Rooftop Bar, perched on level 7 of Curtin House on Swanston Street, is a Melbourne institution.
Read our full guide →Heartbreaker
BarFree entryHeartbreaker is a two-level bar on Russell Street that channels the spirit of a 1950s diner crossed with a rock 'n' roll dive.
Read our full guide →Berlin Bar
BarTucked away above the bustling streets of Melbourne's CBD, Berlin Bar is a two-level homage to the divided city of Cold War-era Berlin.
Read our full guide →Beneath Driver Lane
BarTucked away in a narrow laneway off Little Collins Street, Beneath Driver Lane is a subterranean cocktail bar that feels like a secret discovery.
Read our full guide →1806
Bar1806 is a celebrated cocktail bar and whisky lounge located on Exhibition Street in Melbourne's central business district.
Read our full guide →Goldilocks Rooftop Bar
BarFree entryGoldilocks Rooftop Bar is a stylish escape perched on level 5 of the Denyers building on Swanston Street, offering panoramic views of Melbourne's cityscape.
Read our full guide →Union Electric Bar & Rooftop
BarFree entryUnion Electric Bar & Rooftop is a trendy bar located on Heffernan Lane in Melbourne's central business district.
Read our full guide →Loop Roof
BarFree entryLoop Roof is a stylish rooftop bar tucked away in Melbourne's bustling CBD, accessible via a discreet entrance on Meyers Place.
Read our full guide →Nick and Nora's Melbourne
BarNick and Nora's Melbourne is a stylish cocktail bar located off a laneway at 80 Collins Street, accessed via Benson Walk.
Read our full guide →Caretaker's Cottage
BarFree entryTucked away in a laneway off Little Lonsdale Street, Caretaker's Cottage is a speakeasy that transports you to another era.
Read our full guide →Bouvardia
BarBouvardia is a refined cocktail bar tucked away on the second floor above Bourke Street in Melbourne's central business district.
Read our full guide →The Valiant Cocktail Bar
BarThe Valiant Cocktail Bar is a speakeasy-inspired establishment perched above Little Collins Street in Melbourne's central business district.
Read our full guide →One or Two
BarFree entryNestled on a quiet street in Melbourne, One or Two is a hidden gem that offers a sophisticated yet unpretentious drinking experience.
Read our full guide →
How we pick these
Bars, pubs and nightlife in Melbourne ranked by how highly people rate them, drawn from the 168 places we track. Updated monthly.
Good to know
Most bars in Melbourne fill up later in the evening rather than right after work.
A few rooftop and cocktail spots have a smart-casual door policy.
Check the last metro or line up a ride before a late night out.
Common questions
Where is the nightlife in Melbourne?+
This list ranks the best-rated bars and nightlife spots in Melbourne so you can find the right area for the night you want.
What time do bars close in Melbourne?+
Closing times vary by venue and neighborhood; late-night spots are noted where we have hours.
Is Melbourne good for a night out?+
Yes — from relaxed pubs to late bars, the highest-rated options are all here.
Rather have a human do the planning? A Local Friend can build this day for you, at local prices.