Nervous about picking the perfect spot for date night? Be it laneway, rooftop or hidden, we’ve got the run down on Melbourne’s best bars, perfect for impressing your date.
1. Beneath Driver Lane - Melbourne CBD
Beneath, you guessed it, Driver Lane in the CBD, lies an otherworldly bar. The twinkling candles, dark interior and shining bottles give the hotspot a cosy vibe reminiscent of an old jazz bar, or something straight out of Harry Potter.
The extensive drinks list consisting of signature cocktails, wine and spirits, a selection of delicious bar snacks (smoked octopus anyone?) as well as multiple candle lit booths provide the perfect backdrop for a cosy date night with your special someone.
2. Cookie - Melbourne CBD
On level one of Swanston Street’s multi levelled Curtin House lies Cookie bar and restaurant. The inner city oasis is spacious, brightly coloured with an electric ambience, serving up delicious Thai influenced dishes, or if drinks are more to you and your partner’s liking, delicious house cocktails at the hip bar.
3. Heartattack and Vine - Carlton North
A beloved local hotspot, by day this Carlton North favourite is frequented by university students indulging in fresh porchetta rolls and what is arguably the city’s best spicy chai.
At night however, the venue provides the perfect spot for date night, transforming into a dimly lit, cosy oasis. Make sure to get in early to secure yourself a seat however - the beloved bar gets busy, and with the snug, candle lit interior reminiscent of a classic New York wine bar, as well as delicious share plates and an extensive drinks menu, you won’t want to miss out.
4. Milk the Cow - Carlton North
Situated mere steps from Heartattack and Vine, this licensed fromagerie serves up delicious locally sourced and international cheeses, paired perfectly with a number of boutique beverages.
The dark and woody interior provides the perfect backdrop for a romantic evening of indulging in delicious cheese boards and fondues that pair perfectly with a selection of wines (or craft beers).
Again, this bar can get crowded (and for good reason) so make sure to secure a seat early!
5. Goldilocks - Melbourne CBD
Melbourne has its fair share of hidden bars, and nestled above a Chinese restaurant on Swanston street, Goldilocks does not disappoint.
True to its name, discovering this quaint rooftop bar feels just like a fairytale; although situated in the centre of the CBD, the hustle and bustle of one of Melbourne’s busiest streets seems to vanish upon entering the secluded watering hole, and on top of its extensive drinks list and stunning views, its smaller size in comparison to other rooftop bars makes Goldilocks the perfect seclusion for a romantic evening.
6. Juliet - Melbourne CBD
Self proclaimed ‘little sister’ of Melbourne institution Punch Lane (situated right next door), Juliet bar is an underground establishment with surprises at every corner. Championing predominantly female wine makers in its specialised and intricate drinks list (just four red and four white varieties are open at one time), old meets new at Juliet, with rugged and rustic interior contrasting the contemporary chandelier centre piece and neon pink glow extending across the sleek bar.
Well and truly representative of the electrifying city above it, Juliet bar, with its cosy fireplace and delicious menu of boutique bar food provides an intimate setting for date night and is not to be missed.
Psst…! Juliet Bar features in our Walking Wine Tour, where you and your date will need to solve clues and riddles to lead you from bar to bar! More of a beer drinker? Not to worry, check out our website for a complete list of our carefully curated Drink Walks!
7. Superbus - Melbourne CBD
Formerly ultra popular Sun Moth Canteen, laneway hidden Superbus is quintessential Melbourne. A large, light and airy space (with its fair share of indoor plants because, Melbourne), the bar and daytime cafe is frequented by office workers and beanie wearing creative types alike, with a projector displaying abstract visuals (think skateboarding and soap cutting videos) on the bar’s feature barren white wall.
Although spacious, the establishment retains a feeling of intimacy, and with an extensive wine list and selection of craft beers, Superbus is a green, leafy, urban oasis perfect for date night.
8. Enoteca - Fitzroy
Italian for ‘a place to drink and something small to eat’, Enoteca Wine Bar does just this. Small and incredibly cosy, patrons of the local hotspot are surrounded by wooden shelves housing a variety of wines which can be drunk in house or purchased for home.
With the warm, glowing lights basking the entire bar in a cosy glow, and the wine lined walls creating a homely feel, this Fitzroy gem is the perfect spot for a romantic and intimate night out with your partner.
9. Byrdi - Melbourne CBD
While a bar situated within bustling Melbourne Central may not seem the likeliest of places for a romantic date location, Byrdi cocktail bar is surprisingly elegant and intimate. The relatively small bar’s interior is sleek, polished and dark, and this as well as its boutique cocktail list and share plate selections (think grilled garlic butter prawns with finger lime) creates an intimate date spot, right in the heart of Melbourne.
10. Section 8 - Melbourne CBD
Situated in a laneway car park, Section 8 is unapologetically Melbourne. Patrons of the open air CBD hotspot will find themselves sitting on low, wooden packing crates, ordering craft beers and thirst quenching cocktail jugs from an old shipping container turned bar.
Hosting a number of DJs and surrounded by graffiti decorated walls, Section 8 doesn't exactly exude intimacy or romance, nor does it intend to - the urban oasis instead provides a fun, casual date and is a Melbourne staple.
11. Ferdydurke - Melbourne CBD
Situated right next to Section 8 lies its upstairs sister bar Ferdydurke. Like Section 8, Ferdydurke is home to DJs spinning disco, funk and house records Wednesday through to Sunday nights (from a small, elevated, fairy light adorned booth nonetheless), however feels more intimate, with small tables and dark, artsy poster plastered walls creating a cosy ambience.
The food menu here is simple yet hits the spot, with the likes of greasy nachos, loaded fries and vegan burgers satisfying even the pickiest of eaters.
12. MoVida Next Door - Melbourne CBD
While somehow still retaining the charm and charisma of its trendy city, MoVida Next Door (its older sister restaurant Movida is, you guessed it, directly next door) transports its patrons to Europe.
Although situated in a quintessentially Melbourne graffiti sprawled laneway, being perched on a wooden stool, sipping on hearty wines and indulging in delicious taster plates of fresh seafood gives patrons the impression of sitting in a Spanish tapas bar - the perfect setting for a unique and ultra romantic date night.
13. Black Pearl - Fitzroy
While not quite as rugged as Captain Jack’s ship of the same name, Black Pearl boasts similar dark, sleek interiors, and with candles and dimly lit booths, the establishment is a frequented hotspot for couples searching for some place intimate and romantic along hip Brunswick Street.
The drinks don’t disappoint either; with four previous Bartenders of the Year having worked at Black Pearl, the mixologists are well equipped and truly know their way around a tasty cocktail.
14. Dessous - Melbourne CBD
True to its name (‘dessous’ is French for ‘underneath’), this dimly lit, cosy bar is partially submerged beneath Flinders lane, giving patrons the benefit of being able to people watch without themselves being fully seen.
Dark, grey marble and polished wooden interiors are contrasted with twinkling colourful glass bottles displayed behind the bar, giving the warmly lit subterranean establishment an elegant and intimate feel where couples can converse in peace.
15. Naked In The Sky - Fitzroy
Naked in the Sky, Naked for Satan’s rooftop bar, has become somewhat synonymous with a Summer night out in Melbourne, and it isn’t hard to see why. Situated on quirky and very Melbourne-esque Brunswick street, the beloved outdoor oasis is drenched in sunlight and boasts stunning panoramic views of the city. The establishment is the perfect place for couples to sit back and relax, sip on jugs of fruity cocktails and craft beer (or a light rose, perhaps) and indulge in some delicious share plates (think baked camembert with truffle paste and chestnuts) while watching the sun go down.
Are you a big fan of quintessential Melbourne nightlife? Us too! Check out AmazingCo’s Mystery Drink Discovery Walks, where you and your date will have to solve a number of riddles and clues to unlock our shortlist of Melbourne bars (as well as enjoying delicious tastings at each venue!).
16. Bimbo Deluxe - Fitzroy
Situated in Fitzroy, Bimbo well and truly reflects its iconic and quirky neighbourhood. Dingy (but in the best way), loud and electrifying, couples and friends can sprawl themselves on the comfy couches and indulge in infused vodka, craft beers, refreshing cocktail jugs and delicious $5 pizzas. Dim, cosy lights and regular house spinning DJs create plenty of ambiance, perfect for a casual and fun date.
17. The Wolf’s Lair (Jimmy Watson’s Rooftop Bar) - Carlton North
Situated on Lygon street mere minutes from Melbourne University, The Wolf’s Lair rooftop bar is nestled directly above Jimmy Watson’s wine bar and restaurant. The open air watering hole is bathed in sunlight during the warmer months, and with a faux grass floor and twinkling garden lanterns, is reminiscent of an adults only Summer garden party - perfect for sharing a jug of fruity Pimm’s or sipping on a couple of refreshing Gin and Tonics with your partner, away from the busy street below.
18. Johnny’s Green Room - Carlton North
In Carlton North, nestled above King and Godfrey's Italian espresso bar, deli and restaurant, lies rooftop bar Johnny’s Green Room.
Reflecting the European heritage of Lygon street below, the bar boasts Italian influences (Italian wines, and a menu including the likes of parmesan arancini and mozzarella ciabatta with prosciutto) while also retaining an unapologetically Melbourne feel with sweeping views of the city, live music and boutique house cocktails.
Perfect for a tipple after a romantic meal downstairs or as stand alone drinks with your partner, this Carlton North establishment provides the perfect date venue.
19. Moon Dog World - Preston
Boasting a giant inside lagoon, waterfall, tiki bar and playground, Moon Dog World isn’t exactly what springs to mind when thinking of an intimate or romantic date night.
But with 72 beers on tap, as well as Espresso Martinis and Aperol Spritzes (also on tap), the venue provides nothing short of a fun night out. An extensive bar food menu (the usual culprits - chips and burgers - are there, but so are tasty vegan and coeliac options) allows Moon Dog World to be the perfect venue for a truly unique and casual date.
20. Chuckle Park - Melbourne CBD
Unsurprisingly, with a city abundant in laneways come plenty of laneway bars, and open air Chuckle Park doesn’t disappoint.
Nestled just off Little Collins Street and serving drinks out of an old caravan, the faux grass, flower garlands hanging from walls and floating tea lights create the feeling of being at an adults only garden party - perfect for a romantic and Summery evening or arvo out.
21. Whitehart - Melbourne CBD
Nestled down a laneway in a converted car park, built from old shipping containers and surrounded by graffiti painted walls, Whitehart Bar truly encapsulates all things Melbourne.
Bar and more substantial food options satisfy even the pickiest of eaters, and craft beers and Summer inspired cocktails go down a treat in the warmer months. As well as their extensive food and drinks menu, Whitehart’s DJ acts and aesthetic visualisations projected on an exposed brick wall create an urban oasis fit for a perfectly archetypical Melbourne date.
Conclusion
Unsure of which of these 21 bars to visit? Check out AmazingCo’s Drink Discovery Walks, where you and your date will enjoy a stress free evening of solving clues and riddles that lead you to 4 different bars!
All tastings are included and pre-planned to ensure the night runs smoothly without you having to worry about a thing. And if you’re feeling peckish, we also have a number of curated experiences with foodies in mind; you and your date may find yourselves strolling through the streets of Chinatown on a Dumpling Food Walk, or perhaps a Fine Wine and Dine Walk is more to your liking?
