More Fun Than A Walking Tour.
Classier Than A Bar Crawl.
Melbourne’s experts in hidden bars, laneways & history.
Tours from just $65!
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Discover Hidden Bars
Uncover secret rooftops, speakeasies, gin distilleries and whisky bars on our walking tours.
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Learn Unique History
From Melbourne’s Queen of Sleaze to the world’s first barmaids and even Jack the Ripper.
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Visit Famous Sites
Explore iconic laneways and landmarks including Old Treasury, Chinatown and the Queen Victoria Markets.
Our Hidden Bar Tours Have Featured In…
Our Melbourne Hidden Bar Tours
Future Hidden Bar Tour Dates
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"Drinking History Tours is a Melbourne gem...get on it."
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"If you find walking tours too sober and pub crawls declassé, this is the walk for you."
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"The perfect combination of history, humour, socialising and, of course, drinking."
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Spooky Drinking Tour with Marie I recently went on the spooky drinking tour in Melbourne and had a fantastic time! Our guide, Maria was absolutely brilliant, her storytelling was compelling and kept us hooked throughout the evening. I really enjoyed the mix of Melbourne history and the spooky stories; I learnt so much about the city that I didn't know before. We also stopped at some hidden gem bars along the way which was fun. Highly recommended if you're looking for something different to do in Melbourne!
read moreread lessminu s13/06/25 -
Spooky Fun! This tour was perfect to finish off our Spooky themed weekend in Melbourne. Brigette was an absolutely fantastic guide. She has a seemingly endless vault of knowledge and her bubbly and friendly nature made it easy for the group to interact and have a fun afternoon/evening. Highly recommend!
read moreread lessWoodhamseloise08/06/25 -
Kid Free FUN It was a fabulous afternoon that turned into night. We discovered fun facts/ non facts about the stories of Melbourne and its laneways beginnings. Bridget was our tour guide. She knew a lot and loved sharing it with us. It allowed the group to mingle and through this experience we had so much fun and will definitely come back to experience some of the bars again. Thank you Hidden Bars tours and thank you Bridget.
read moreread lessL_Eatwell01/06/25 -
A fun way to learn about Melbourne If you’re looking for something different to do in Melbourne this tour is a great idea. It was a fun way to learn about the city’s history.
The host, Maria, was very engaging, energetic and friendly.
It was a good way to get to know some of the bars and nightlife around the city. Maria had a good knowledge of things to do around melbourne and had many other interesting tidbits to share.read moreread lessMia N17/05/25 -
Drinking History Tour - Hidden Bars and Laneway Legends We had a fantastic time on this tour. It was extremely interesting and informative and conveyed with genuine enthusiasm and excitement by our guide whose name i have unfortunately forgotten 🙁
She was a star! Recommended highly.read moreread less576dim16/05/25
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Spooky Drinking Tour with Marie I recently went on the spooky drinking tour in Melbourne and had a fantastic time! Our guide, Maria was absolutely brilliant, her storytelling was compelling and kept us hooked throughout the evening. I really enjoyed the mix of Melbourne history and the spooky stories; I learnt so much about the city that I didn't know before. We also stopped at some hidden gem bars along the way which was fun. Highly recommended if you're looking for something different to do in Melbourne!
read moreread lessminu s13/06/25 -
Spooky Fun! This tour was perfect to finish off our Spooky themed weekend in Melbourne. Brigette was an absolutely fantastic guide. She has a seemingly endless vault of knowledge and her bubbly and friendly nature made it easy for the group to interact and have a fun afternoon/evening. Highly recommend!
read moreread lessWoodhamseloise08/06/25 -
Kid Free FUN It was a fabulous afternoon that turned into night. We discovered fun facts/ non facts about the stories of Melbourne and its laneways beginnings. Bridget was our tour guide. She knew a lot and loved sharing it with us. It allowed the group to mingle and through this experience we had so much fun and will definitely come back to experience some of the bars again. Thank you Hidden Bars tours and thank you Bridget.
read moreread lessL_Eatwell01/06/25 -
A fun way to learn about Melbourne If you’re looking for something different to do in Melbourne this tour is a great idea. It was a fun way to learn about the city’s history.
The host, Maria, was very engaging, energetic and friendly.
It was a good way to get to know some of the bars and nightlife around the city. Maria had a good knowledge of things to do around melbourne and had many other interesting tidbits to share.read moreread lessMia N17/05/25 -
Drinking History Tour - Hidden Bars and Laneway Legends We had a fantastic time on this tour. It was extremely interesting and informative and conveyed with genuine enthusiasm and excitement by our guide whose name i have unfortunately forgotten 🙁
She was a star! Recommended highly.read moreread less576dim16/05/25
Looking for something private?
Grab the gang and book a private walking tour of Melbourne. Personalised routes, private tour hosts and an experience you won’t forget.
Melbourne’s Hidden Bar Guide
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Read Laneway Bar Guide!
Melbourne’s Best Laneway Bars
From Melbourne’s first illegal grog shops in 1854, we have always loved a hidden bar down a deserted alley. Here are the best hidden laneway bars first time visitors to Melbourne should check out.
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Read Rooftop Bar Guide!
Brews With A View: Rooftop Bar Guide
The first attempt to marry views with drinks was back in 1970, when the ‘Top Of The Town” opened to much fanfare on Collins Street. Here are five rooftop bars all first time visitors to Melbourne should visit.
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Read Cocktail Bar Guide!
Your Cocktail Bar Bucket List
Melbourne’s first cocktail bar was Cafe De Paris, opened in King Street in 1859 and the place for a Sherry Cobbler. Melbourne’s cocktail bars are classy, unique and numerous: here are our five of our favourites.
Where to start your Melbourne journey
We’ve collected Melbourne’s coolest things to do – from rally car training to perfecting your coffee game.
Join Us For An Unforgettable Hidden Bar Tour Of Melbourne
Embark on an unforgettable adventure through Melbourne’s thriving bar scene with one of our hidden bar tours in Melbourne.
Delve into the city’s rich drinking history as we lead you to tucked-away speakeasys and down hidden laneways.
Still got questions? See below.
A Tour for Any Occasion
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Friends In Town
Let us play tour guide and enjoy a memorable day out.
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New To Melbourne
The best of Melbourne’s bars, history and laneways in one brilliant experience.
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City Day Out
Grab your friends and make your big day in the City one to remember.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which bars will I get to visit?
From hidden bars in high-rise buildings to Melbourne’s iconic laneway bar scene, there are so many incredible bars throughout the city. We have a wide selection of bars we tour, but change up the bars we visit regularly so there’s always something different to see. This way it doesn’t matter when you book, you’re always guaranteed a unique and unforgettable experience.
What is a walking tour?
You might have guessed from the name, but our Melbourne walking tours involve a look at some of the city’s most iconic historical sites and great bars. The entire walking tour is on foot, so make sure to wear your walking shoes!
Do you do private tours?
For sure! You’ll find all the information you need to book a private tour on our private tours page. Our Melbourne walking tours are great for birthday parties, corporate events, or just getting together with friends for a fun night out.
Can I choose my tour guide?
If you’ve taken our tours before and would like to request a specific guide, you can book a private tour and place your request in your message. If they’re available for your booking we’re sure they’ll be more than happy to take you on a drinking history tour.
How much walking is involved?
Not as much as you’d think for something called a walking tour! Generally, there’s only about a 10-minute walk between bars and historic sites, but this will depend on the tour you’ve chosen.
How long does a tour last?
Our tours last for about three hours, all up, although they can go for up to four hours if we have delays or if everyone is just having a really swell time! That includes about two hours of walking and one hour of socialising/bar visits. During that time you’ll visit three of the city’s best bars, with 30-40 minutes at each bar to try some delicious cocktails and really soak up the atmosphere.
Of course, we finish our tour at the final bar, so you’re welcome to stick around there for as long as you want!
Does the tour include food?
No food is included on the tours. We recommend you eat lunch or dinner before coming on the tour!
What safeguards are in place to guarantee tour participants’ comfort and safety?
Our first goal is to make sure guests on our walking tours of Melbourne are comfortable and safe. We monitor local conditions and adhere to rules for safety. If you have questions or need accommodations, please let us know, and we’ll do our best to assist.