Melbourne loves a secret especially when it comes to bars. Tucked behind bookshelves, down alleyways, or marked only by a single lamp, these hidden gems deliver style, atmosphere and a sense of discovery you’ll never get at your local pub.
Here’s where to find the city’s most whispered-about watering holes.
Eau De Vie (CBD)
Step through an unmarked door on Malthouse Lane and into a 1920s-style whisky den. With dim lighting, jazz playlists and bartenders in waistcoats, it’s a total time warp.
- Try the smoked old fashioned or absinthe-laced cocktails
- Whisky lovers: ask to see the back room’s extensive list
Location: Malthouse Lane, CBD
Above Board (Collingwood)
Minimalist, award-winning and intimate Above Board is a bar for people who really care about cocktails. It seats just 12 around a U-shaped bar and is perched above a bottle shop.
- No menu the bartender crafts drinks based on your preferences
- Quiet and focused, ideal for dates or solo drinks
Location: Smith Street, Collingwood
Bar Margaux (CBD)
Paris meets New York in this underground late-night brasserie. Hidden down a flight of stairs, Bar Margaux serves up French wine, steak frites and silky cocktails until 3am.
- Moody, tiled interiors
- Perfect for post-show or late dinner dates
Location: Lonsdale Street, CBD
More Secrets Worth Discovering
- Berlin Bar – East/West Berlin themes and strong drinks
- Jungle Boy – Enter through a sandwich shop fridge door
- The Everleigh – Speakeasy elegance in Fitzroy
In Melbourne, part of the fun is finding the place and once you do, you’ll feel like a local. Ask the bartender for a “staff favourite” and enjoy the thrill of sipping somewhere only the curious discover.
