Nothing beats that Friday feeling. As soon as the clock strikes five you can forget about the week that was and indulge in the weekend to come. Get it started on the right foot with a wind-down drink at one of these Melbourne CBD bars. They’re perfect for a few after-hours bevs with colleagues and friends.
1. Arbory Bar & Eatery
📍 Flinders Walk
Wedged between two Melbourne icons is a bar with both character and class. Arbory Bar & Eatery borders both Flinders St station and the scenic Yarra river with great views across to Southbank. It’s bigger than it looks too; as a converted train platform what it lacks in width it makes up for in length. Each summer, they add on the pop-up Arbory Afloat which means double the capacity, double the fun. Variety is the aim of their game with cocktails, wines and beers galore and a food menu that’s served until late.
2. Whitehart
📍Whitehart Lane
In Melbourne’s CBD hidden lanes, tucked away eateries and out of sight bars are the epitome of urban cool. Enter Whitehart; a former carpark, now bar built from converted shipping containers. A solid, varied drinks list and mouth-watering pizzas from +39 Pizzeria ensure there’s a menu item for even your pickiest colleagues.
3. Meet me on the rooftop
📍Bourke Street
Almost as much as it loves a laneway, Melbourne is keen for a rooftop. Bourke Street has a series of great rooftop bars on offer, so you should have no trouble finding a seat. Top picks include a neon-tropical experience at Good Heavens, a saucy garden party at Madame Brussels and old-school pub plus rooftop; The Imperial.
4. StoryVille
📍Lonsdale Street
Some weeks you just need to let go and forget. What better venue than a fairytale themed bar where you can fall down the rabbit hole and into a world of pure imagination. The drinks list at StoryVille features cocktails inspired by your favourite tales like Harry Potter, Dr Jekyll and many more. The décor is equally as magical with mushrooms, books and writing on the walls.
5. Pepe’s Italian & Liquor
📍Exhibition Street
Formerly Trunk Restaurant & Bar, this generously sized venue is now Pepe’s Italian & Liquor indoors with the Trunk Diner & Beer Garden outside. They boast a seriously sophisticated martini selection, a wide range of classic and specialty cocktails, plus wines and beers from Italy, America and Australia. Secure a seat under the red and white striped umbrellas and sip your stresses away.
6. 1806
📍Exhibition Street
Call yourself a cocktail connoisseur? Then you should know a little bar called 1806. This petite venue pays homage to mixed drinks from throughout history. You’ll find all the favourites that are still popular today and plenty you’ve never even heard of. Go on, try something new.
Julia is a Melbourne-based writer specialising in content marketing and digital content. When she’s not writing, you’ll usually find her sipping hot tea, reading a great book and planning the next big travel adventure. Visit Work With Me if you’d like to collaborate.