Discover Melbourne’s best kept secrets with a side of great cocktails at these hidden bars!
Nestled within the vibrant and cosmopolitan city of Melbourne lies a secret world of allure and mystique – where clandestine cocktails flow and the ambiance exudes an old-world charm. Welcome to the realm of hidden speakeasy bars, where the thrill of discovery meets the art of mixology.
Join us as we lift the veil on Melbourne’s best hidden speakeasy bars, each with its own unique character and elusive charm. From concealed entrances and secret passwords to masterfully crafted libations, these clandestine gems promise an unforgettable journey back in time to the Prohibition era.
Tucked away on Little Bourke Street, Beneat Driver Lane is a moody, underground bar inside the historic vault of the old Money Order Office. Featuring soul-stirring live blues music and candlelit ambiance offers a haven for whiskey, craft cocktails, and a delightful night out. So, whether you’re sipping whiskey in the intimate cellar or soaking in the music, Beneath Driver Lane is a quintessential Melbourne gem.
Photography by Nopkamon Tanayakorn via Shutterstock.Beneath Driver Lane
Behind an unmarked door on Malthouse Lane in Melbourne lies the glamour and mystery of 1920s prohibition-era America. Eau-De-Vie, with its vintage decor, expert bartenders, and theatrical cocktails, is a speakeasy that offers an experience that is hard to match. The bar features intimate booths, a cocktail degustation table, and the secret Whisky Room, concealed behind a bookcase and home to rare and exclusive whiskies. Whether you’re there for a quiet dram or a lively night out, Eau-De-Vie is a timeless escape from the modern world.
Photography by PratchayapornK via Shutterstock.Eau De Vie
Photographed by Kyle Nieber. Image via Unsplash.
Bartronica
Eat, drink and play at Bartronica, one of the most exciting hidden bars in Melbourne. A mix of classic bar and arcade, Bartronica lets you play arcade classics from yesteryear while sipping on funky video game-inspired cocktails. This underground arcade parlour is not just for geeks and gamers, but for anyone wanting a space to hang out and shoot some aliens together.
Image via Visit Victoria
Berlin Bar
Take a time machine back to the glorious days of the 1980s at Berlin Bar, filled with plenty of neon lights, counter-culture icons, and a tinge of Cold War paranoia. One of the most unique and unusual bars in Melbourne, Berlin Bar — much like the city is name after — is split into two halves: on one side is the opulent capitalist ‘salon’ of West Berlin, with posh cocktails and lavish decor. On the other side, an East Berline drinking hole modelled after a war bunker, is complete with mood lighting and Soviet propaganda posters. No matter which side of the Iron Wall you choose, you’re in for an incredible time at Berlin Bar.
Image via Visit Victoria.
Curious
Featuring one of the most audacious and stunning designs of any bar in Australia, Curious is just that: an oddity that defies definition. A curated blend of music, food, drinks, and intimate experiences, Curious is an up-market underground bar that begs to be admired. With luxurious fittings and a refined palate, don’t miss one of the best hidden bars in Melbourne.
Photographed by Leigh Cooper. Image via Unsplash.
Pizza Pizza Pizza
Walking past Pizza Pizza Pizza may seem like a simple affair: a clean yet slim New York-style pizzeria with plenty of classic flavours. Yet behind the glossy block curtain reveals a moody speakeasy cocktail bar. Replete with plush booths and an extensive cocktail menu, Pizza Pizza Pizza is truly one of the best hidden bars in Melbourne. And yes, their pizzas are pretty good as well, just to top it all off.
Image via Visit Victoria.
Trinket Bar
On the ground floor, Trinket Bar has all the hallmarks of a swanky cocktail bar perfect for after work drinks, including shared pizzas and quality drinks. Yet this Flinders Lane bar has a special feature: a walk-in wardrobe straight out of Narnia. But rather than walking into a fictional world, you’ll be stepping down into a unique speakeasy bar. This underground cellar bar features lavish, art-deco inspired decor that’s both swanky and intimate. So enter the magical world of Trinket Bar for an adventure unlike any other.
Soar above the city with our guide to the Best Rooftop Bars in Melbourne. Or pair your next outing with a good view thanks to these 10 Best Waterfront Bars and Restaurants in Melbourne.
