History is better with a drink in hand
Melbourne’s only walking tours specialising in hidden bars and history.
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Discover hidden bars
Allow our expert guides to take you to some of the coolest laneway and hidden bars in Melbourne.
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Take a shot of history
Discover the untold stories & characters that make Melbourne unique.
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Explore Melbourne's CBD
Explore Melbourne’s iconic laneways and landmarks such as Old Treasury, Chinatown and the Queen Victoria Markets.
Smart like a walking tour.
Fun like a bar tour.
Reviews From Our Happy Customers
- Great tour, fantastic guide We did this on our first day in Melbourne and it was a great way to get a sense of the central city, the history.. and have a cheeky drink or two on the way.
Our guide was awesome, her knowledge far wider than the history of Melbourne. She pointed us to the best place to buy F1 supporter gear and confirmed some good restaurant options as well!
Thank youread moreread lessPebblesy1726/03/24 - Highly recommend this tour! Thank you Bridgette! Our tour guide was Bridgette. She was very knowledgeable and passionate (and very qualified for the job). We loved each of the bars we went to and the history on the way to each was fantastic. Bridgette also gave us heaps of recommendations for other bars, food and places to go during our stay in Melbourne. We would highly recommend this tour! Thanks for having us!read moreread less583izzyc21/03/24
- Informative with a dash of humour, and a pint of beer. This tour was fantastic. Lenny had so many stories, delivered in an informative and interesting way, with a dash of humour. It really opened Melbourne up for me. The pub stops really brought the group together.I would definitely recommend.read moreread lesscathjb202419/03/24
- Exploring Melbourne's Creepy History with Brigette Absolutely thrilled to explore Melbourne's enchanting streets and laneways with Brigette! ️ the Venetian voyager. Her tales, a captivating blend of interesting, weird, and downright macabre, added a unique flavor to the city's rich history. The hidden bars were a surprise, making the afternoon a perfect mix of history and hidden gems. Big thanks to Brigette for turning a stroll into a memorable adventure! #MelbourneCreepyTales#HiddenBars #WalkingTourWonderread moreread less215jenm11/03/24
Loved By These Publications
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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."
How Does It Work?
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Choose your tour
Select one of our brilliant hidden bar and history tours below. Or view our future tours calendar (scroll down a bit!) and find a date that suits you.
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Choose your ticket
We keep things flexible here. Choose your tour with drinks included or pay as your go. You can also cancel or modify your tour up to 24 hours before it runs.
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Meet your guide
On game day we’ll send you Google Map directions to the meeting point by email and text, including your guide’s name and phone number so there’s zero uncertainty.
Our Most Popular Melbourne Hidden Bar Tours
Future Tour Dates
We made Timeout Melbourne’s list!
No. 49 on “Things To Do In Melbourne Before You Die”.
Welcome to Drinking History Tours
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.
View Our Melbourne Bar Tours Guide
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Melbourne 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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Melbourne 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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Melbourne 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 Walking 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.
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.