Melbourne’s Best Hidden Laneway Bars
-
By Ben Oliver || Last Updated: December 19, 2023
Melbourne’s laneway bar scene took off in the mid-1990s, when a newly deregulated alcohol licensing regime allowed entrepreneurs to open bars without the need to build a kitchen.
That, combined with cheap inner-city rents, meant the economics of smaller, more intimate bars began to stack up nicely.
Laneway bars are a part of Melbourne’s DNA. From the City’s first sly grog shops in 1854 – illegal alcohol shops brought on by a ban on Sunday alcohol trading – Melbourne has always loved a hidden bar down a deserted alley. Look hard enough and you’ll find bars down laneways, rooftops, behind other bars, through fridge doors, inside staff rooms at tiny pizza joints, and even underground.
As luck would have it, part of running a drinking history tour business is discovering and trying out new hidden bars throughout the city. And getting to call it work!
Here are some of Melbourne’s most interesting secret bars, and our some of our favourite laneway bars, brimming with fine wines, craft beers, delicious cocktails and local spirits.
Explore on your own, or why not join us for a hidden bar and history tour with our expert tour host?
Whitehart || @whitehartmelbourne
Why come here?
You’ve heard of laneways bars? This is where laneway bars get meta: a laneway bar hidden down another laneway. Nestled at the end of Whitehart Lane off Little Bourke is Whitehart, named after the mythical stag which is equally as hard to find.
Constructed out of steel beams and shipping containers, this is the grungier side of Melbourne’s laneway bar scene, softened by wall-mounted ferns and given a splash of creativity via murals and digital projections. It’s just a damn cool place to have a few pints, whether its winter or summer.
What’s the food situation?
An ever rotating crew of food trucks serve the hungry punters. Check out the website for who is currently featured.
The final word
A relatively new player at just a few years old (opened in 2017) but already a must do when you’re in the CBD.
-
Mon-Wed: 12-11pm | Thurs: 12-12pm | Fri-Sat: 12pm-1am | Sun: 12-11pm
Above Board || @aboveboardbarmelb
Why come here?
In 2022 Bar Americano died to bring us Above Board, an experimental back-alley bar run by the same visionary who once turned Bar Americano into a Melbourne icon.
Like Bar Americano, there are no bookings and limited seating. You simply walk in, wait for a seat, and enjoy your drink.
Displaying the same love for classic cocktails, you’ll find a range of excellent drinks mixed to perfection. Personally, I love a good Negroni, but that’s only because I’m an alcoholic.
What’s the food situation?
Non-existent. But you won’t care with cocktails this good.
The final word?
Bar Americano was a Melbourne institution, and Above Board is no different. Just don’t bring a group and expect to get in: it’s a two to four-person affair.
-
Our Cocktail bar hours: 6pm - 1 am Seven Days
-
Takeaways are no longer available
Caretakers Cottage || @caretakers.cottage
Why come here?
Self described as “probably Victoria’s smallest pub”, this cosy yet elegant 50-seater is nestled inside the beautifully curated lawns of the old Wesley Church.
The name harks back to what it used to be: literally the caretaker’s cottage for the Church.
From probably the best Guinness in Melbourne to cocktails galore, Caretaker’s Cottage is one to cross off your bucket list.
What’s the food situation?
Some bar snacks including a daily crisp selection (very British).
The final word?
It also made the list of the world’s 50 best bars. ‘Nuff said.
-
Tues - Sat || 4pm - 1am
-
Bar Snacks
Chuckle Park || @chucklepark
Why come here?
There’s laneway bars. And then there are laneway bars which are laneways themselves. Chuckle Park – filling an unnamed laneway – is the latter.
Step off Little Collins Street and into a oasis in the CBD, surrounded by plants, hanging lanterns and chilled vibes.
The drinks list is relaxed with a strong emphasis on craft beer and interesting wines. Any place that serves beer in tinnies is a favourite of mine.
What’s the food situation?
The cubano sandwich is a fan favourite.
The last word
Everything I love about laneway bars in one place. Intimate, unpretentious, chilled.
-
3PM TO 11PM TUESDAY + WEDNESDAY 3PM TO 12AM THURSDAY, FRIDAY + SATURDAY
-
No Food
Murmur Piano Bar || @murmurpianobar
Why come here?
The rules of the piano bar are simple; grab your drink, seat (or stand at the bar) and belt out a range of tunes led by your resident pianist extraordinaire.
Strange this most communal of bars has never taken off in Melbourne. Once you visit Murmur, you’ll be shocked this laneway classic has a monopoly on the concept locally.
A bar in various guises since 2004, Murmur was reborn in 2018 as a dedicated piano bar after the owners – inspired by a night out in Chicago – decided to open Melbourne’s first (and to date only) piano bar.
Requests are welcome, nay encouraged, in the form of a quiet word with the pianist or by raising your voice to sufficient volume.
Do the right thing and request Horses. It will bring the house down.
What’s the food situation?
Tapas dishes are delivered from downstairs (and sister restaurant) Portello Rosso. The menu is full of perfect bar snacks; from fried squid to croquetas and patatas bravas. I recommend splashing out on Spain’s famous jamon iberico.
The final word
Sing us a song, you’re the piano man.
-
THU: 5pm ‘til late, music from 7pm | FRI: 5pm ‘til late, music from 7pm | SAT: 6pm ‘til late, music from 7pm
Robot Bar || @robotbar
Why come here?
Robot Bar delivers a slice of Tokyo – or least a romanticized version – to Melbourne for the curious and nostalgic alike.
Taking its name from the robot mobiles hanging from the ceiling, Robot is crammed full of Japanese pop culture iconography, Melbourne’s largest collection of sake and enough snacks to keep the hunger pangs at bay.
Robot’s extensive collection of sake is the largest in Melbourne, and an experience to savor; pick your temperature and flavor profile, and the sake is delivered in gorgeous ceramic flasks to be sipped, not shot.
The beer list is intriguing. Venture beyond the well-worn Asahi path and try a sweet potato beer or any number of rice ales.
And for anime fans, screenings are held here every Tuesday night at 9pm.
What’s the food situation?
Japanese-inspired bar food. Everything from slow-cooked pork and mayonnaise (aburi chasu) to Japanese dumplings (gyouza) and grilled chicken skewers (tsukune).
The final word
Sake it to me, baby.
-
Wed-Thurs: 5pm-1am | Fri: 4pm-2:30am | Sat: 8pm-2am | Tues: 5pm-12am
Eau De Vie || @eaudeviebar
Why come here?
The cynic may describe hidden bars in Melbourne as a tired cliche, but the optimist will point out EDV is worth the search.
Depending on who you speak to, EDV is either a whisky bar that does cocktails or a cocktail bar that does whiskies. The distinction here is irrelevant; EDV is just a cool, jazz-era inspired experience that will satisfy your drinking mood whether it leans towards single malts or magnificent cocktails.
What’s the food situation?
EDV is, as you would expect, strong on the meat and cheese front, but the kitchen provides more than just charcuterie. Their small, but well thought out menu has enough to make it a worth the trip as a dedicated dine-in experience.
The final word
Water of life for the soul.
-
Monday : Closed | Tuesday : 5pm – Late | Wednesday : 5pm – Late | Thursday : 5pm – Late | Friday : 5pm – Late | Saturday : 5pm – Late | Sunday : Closed
Beneath Driver Lane || @beneathdriverlane
Why come here?
It’s a rare thing for the hardened Melbourne barfly to walk into a new bar for the first time and be truly impressed. Beneath Driver Lane is one of those bars.
Hidden down a laneway and several flights of steps, you’ll encounter a bar that is the perfect sum of its parts. Everything just works: from the booths to the bar stools, the soft lighting, an incredible list of spirits and some of the most delicious cocktails you’ll ever try. The drinks list is inspired by “a day in the life of a blues musician”. Being a sucker for a Negroni, we recommend the Spice Rum Negroni.
What’s the food situation?
French bistro inspired and open till 3am. The wagyu reuben toastie is a fan favourite.
The final word
Everything that makes a great Melbourne cocktail bar.
-
Sat-Thurs: 4pm-3am | Fri: 1pm-3am
Jungle Boy || @jungleboywindsor
Why come here?
Jungle Boy is Chapel Street’s best-kept secret. Step through the fridge doors at the back of sandwich store ‘Boston Sub’ and you’ll find this gem of a hidden cocktail bar.
What’s the food situation?
Drop in at Boston Sub before a drink for a sandwich feast with a side of Canadian fries. You won’t be disappointed.
The final word
Not your average hidden bar.
-
7 Days 5:00 pm till late
-
Contemporary, plant-filled lounge bar with exposed-brick walls serving cocktails in tiki mugs.
Union Electric || @unionelectricbar
Why come here?
Full disclosure: Union Electric holds a sentimental place in my heart. My wife and I stumbled across this rooftop bar just after it first opened, and had a lovely chat with the owner, Huw. We then went back there a second time just after its new gin bar opened. On both occasions we consumed large amounts of gin.
There may be larger rooftop bars in Melbourne, but Union Electric’s smaller size is part of what’s makes it so appealing. It’s got quirk in spades, but underrated, subtle quirk. For some reason, Bill Murray’s picture keeps a silent vigil over the bar below.
What’s the food situation?
Like having a beer at your mate’s place, the food is order in. Just keep it clean. Order dumplings from New Kum Den next door would be our advice.
The final word
Bill Murray approves.
-
mon-thu: 5pm-1am | fri-sat: 12pm-1am | sun: 4pm-1am
-
No Food
Little Lon Distilling || @littlelondistillingco
Why come here?
In the heart of Melbourne’s old red light district sits a tiny, red brick dwelling dating back to 1877. This tiny cottage has served many purposes: illegal grog shop, brothel and since 2018, a gin distillery.
Nestled inside 17 Casselden Place is Little Lon Distilling, a 20-person capacity bar (soon to be increasing) and the only distillery inside the Melbourne CBD.
Their 200l still pumps out a variety of gins referencing Melbourne’s seedy past: Miss Yoko is a lychee-infused gin inspired by Tiecome Ah Chung, a Chinese prostitute who worked the area in the 1910s. Or you could try Ginger Mick, a ginger and citrus-infused gin inspired by a WW1 larrikin who was said to have (at least partly) inspired the Digger mythology.
What’s the food situation?
No food, but groups can work with the bar team to have food available for events and special occasions
The final word
A tiny gin distillery inside an old brothel. ‘Nuff said.
-
Thurs-Fri: 3pm-late | Sat: 5pm-late
-
No Food