Everyone loves a good cocktail! But sometimes it’s hard to find the best places in town to enjoy a tasty beverage. Well, we are here to help! Here is a list of the best cocktail venues in Melbourne.
You can decide for yourself who is the best. We recommend trying them all and deciding for yourself. You can thank us later!
Looking for some delicious cocktails. These Melbourne cocktail venues prove to be just as diverse as Melbourne itself. These are the best.
The Budgie Bar in Ringwood
1/166 Maroondah Hwy, Ringwood VIC 3134
Who are they?
In a private, tucked away location, The Budgie Cocktail Bar offers a unique and spacious atmosphere within their converted warehouse bar. One of the fastest growing venues in the Eastern Suburbs and a short 25-minute drive from the CBD, The Budgie offers an open floor plan with a sun-filled beer garden, concrete bar and a Palm Springs inspired cacti corner – the perfect place for after work drinks or catch ups with friends.
Their cocktails
The Budgie Bar provides their customers with the finest cocktails, curated wine selections, beer on tap and delicious food. Their cocktail selection is extensive and includes your all-time favourite classics such as the Cosmo, Pina colada and Espresso martini, as well as their cocktails with their own Mexican twist!
Every month the bartending team put on offer their latest cocktail creations to see if they have what it takes to secure a permanent spot on the full menu. If your cocktail leaves you wishing that you could take it home, the good news is you can! Budgie offers a range of their past, present and future cocktails, bottled up and ready to be taken home with you.
The Budgie also hold pre-booked and pre-paid bottomless cocktail sessions every Saturday from 1:30-3:30pm and 4-6pm!
The Stolen Gem in the CBD Melbourne
8/388 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Who are they?
Located in the heart of the CBD, amongst the skyline and overlooking Melbourne’s Bourke Street Mall, The Stolen Gem is an elegant and stylish rooftop bar. With a retractable terrace roof, 260-degree city views and a cosy fireplace, it is the ideal entertaining space.
Their cocktails
As well as their selection of on-tap beers, premium wine and champagne, and decadent canape style food, the cocktails at The Stolen Gem are made from only the finest of Victorian and Australian spirits. In addition to almost any classic cocktail you can think of, The Stolen Gem also offer a list of their own signature cocktails with something everyone is sure to enjoy.
Penni Ave in Rye
43 Peninsula Ave, Rye VIC 3941
Who are they?
Winners of the ‘Best Vodka’ at the 2022 Melbourne Royal Australian Distilled Spirit Awards, Penni Ave Distillery is located on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula, about one hour outside of Melbourne. This hidden gem is one of the few dedicated vodka distilleries in Victoria, where proud and passionate staff are more than happy to run through a guided vodka tasting or provide customers with self-guided vodka paddles.
Their cocktails
It should come as no surprise that the cocktails at Penni Ave are made with their all star award-winning vodka. Using their reliable copper still, and native botanicals. Their aim at Penni Ave is to get rid of those nasty artificial flavours and allow you to celebrate with a vodka that is sustainably sourced, wonderfully smooth, and uniquely Australian.
We recommend trying one of their Kakadu Mules.
Bar Savarin in Cheltenham
132 Keys Rd, Cheltenham VIC 3192
Who are they?
Bar Savarin, located in the industrial area of Cheltenham, provides customers with an atmosphere that would be apposite of that on a European boardwalk rather than this boxy cityscape. Offering both an outdoor deck shaded with striped umbrellas as well as a vibey indoor area with marble tables and sounds of disco funk, it has all the charisma of a casual modern Parisian eatery.
Their cocktails
Bar Savarin offers its customers a fun, extensive and natural-leaning wine selection, exquisite, classic, cocktails and local beers on tap. A pisco sour – earthy, sweet and tart – is almost impossible to find within the inner suburbs let alone any further out, but Bar Savarin offers exactly that.
The Palms in Mordialloc
539 Main St, Mordialloc VIC 3195
Who are they?
Located amongst the beachy landscape on Main Street Mordialloc, The Palms blends in perfectly with its coastal, palm springs aesthetic. This slice of heaven, decorated with seagrass hanging baskets, their picture perfect rattan swing chair and an overall warm hue, The Palms has an inviting and aesthetically pleasing atmosphere, sure to impress. With an elongated service bar, partly sheltered beer garden and cosy booth seating, it is the ideal place for a casual drink or larger function.
Their cocktails
The Palms cocktail list is full of everyone’s classic favourites from a morning mimosa, refreshing mojito or pick me up espresso. Their margarita selection ensures there is a variation for everyone to enjoy whether you fancy the spice of a chilli marg or the refreshment of a passionfruit marg. If your favourite cocktail differs from what’s already on offer, feel free to let the staff know and they can make it based on your special request.
Mr & Mrs P in Brighton
312 Bay St, Brighton VIC 3186
Who are they?
Located on a historical street in Brighton, this restaurant bar celebrates Mr & Mrs Poliwodzinski and their love for each other and the world of hospitality. Between their indisputable passion, attention to detail, and shared 25 years of industry experience, Mr & Mrs P have truly created an experience that will leave you yearning for more.
Their cocktails
An impressive back bar tended to by the passionate, knowledgeable, and beloved Carlos, is bound to excite any bar connoisseur. Mr & Mrs P’s drinks menu boasts over 30 signature cocktails, ensuring all customers can select a drink that is exactly to their liking. Drop in and try the crowd favourite, and fittingly named “Mr & Mrs P”, a martini style passionfruit and white chocolate concoction, or any of Carlos’ special creations.
Lona in St Kilda
64/66 Acland St, St Kilda VIC 3182
Who are they?
Offering a buzzing atmosphere year-round, Lona bar and eatery fits right into the buzzing atmosphere of St Kilda. Head to Lona to enjoy a delicious cocktail or three whilst sitting on the lively Acland Street, within the privacy of Lona’s beer garden, beside the fire in cooler months or in the bar whilst listening to live music.
Their cocktails
Lona’s beverage menu offers an extensive range of local and international wines, refreshing spritzers and mouth-watering cocktails. If you’re on the hunt for a delicious yet affordable beverage to enjoy on its own or alongside a classic pub meal, wood fire pizza or fish taco, Lona is the place to be. Last but not least, their famous ‘Drunch’ – bottomless drinks and lunch – a leisurely pursuit and experience you don’t want to miss.
Jane Doe Bar in Prahran
219 Chapel St, Prahran VIC 3181
Who are they?
Jane Doe is a trendy bar located in the famously popular and lively location of Chapel Street in Prahran. With a chilled, intimate vibe the welcoming atmosphere and comfy décor at Jane Doe makes you feel right at home! The staff are passionate about their craft, with extensive alcohol knowledge and an ability to provide personable service to each and every customer. Jane Doe is the perfect venue for a date night, group event or a chilled drink with friends.
Their cocktails
As a cocktail bar, great cocktails are Jane Doe’s thing and the sole reason for their popularity and loyal customer base. At Jane Doe Bar you can choose from a vast array of affordable cocktails on tap, barrel aged bottle cocktails and/or craft cocktails. A popular crowd favourite is their red velvet craft cocktail – a must try for your next visit.
Gin Palace in the CBD Melbourne
10 Russell Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000
Who are they?
Located on Russell Place in Melbourne’s bustling CBD, Gin Palace presents an opulent and decadent vibe with velvet décor, dim lighting and plush seating, combined to create this roomy, basement cocktail bar. The polite waiting staff have a strong understanding of the gin options available and are more than enthusiastic in assisting their customers with which gin they recommend trying. With soft and smooth music playing in the background of conversations, Gin Palace is a luxurious venue with an overall beautiful aesthetic and classy vibe.
Their cocktails
As their name might suggest, the menu at Gin Palace offers an outstandingly extensive range of gin varieties. With over 10 pages dedicated to gin and gin cocktails, there is a page devoted to martinis, followed by a double spread purely for the Palace’s spirited namesake and so on. However, if you are not a fan of gin, but have come to Gin Palace regardless, the good news is that they also offer a range of gin-less cocktails to satisfy those with alternative tastebuds.
As coffee lovers, Skye and Josh from CFTP have spent years exploring the world of coffee, from studying different brewing methods to discovering unique coffee beans from around the globe. With a deep appreciation for the art and science behind the perfect cup coffee, Skye and Josh are dedicated to sharing their knowledge and experiences with fellow coffee enthusiasts.
Want to try their coffee? Head into their Seaford cafe, or purchase some beans online.
Coffee for the People Roasting Co.
37 Armstrongs Rd, Seaford VIC 3198
