12 bars worth the trip across Australia, editor-ranked by TableJourney. All Australia guides.
Black Pearl ★ 4.8 · Melbourne
fitzroy · 304 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065
Black Pearl on Brunswick Street has been named among the world's best bars: serious craft cocktails in a Fitzroy corner pub built around technique above all.
Bar Americano ★ 4.6 · Melbourne
cbd · 20 Presgrave Place, Melbourne VIC 3000
Bar Americano fits 10 people in a CBD laneway and does not take bookings: the Negroni standard for Melbourne and a lesson in what a small bar can do.
Above Board ★ 4.6 · Melbourne
collingwood · 1/306 Smith Street, Collingwood VIC 3066
Above Board in Collingwood seats 8 at a U-shaped counter and serves rotating seasonal cocktails from a hidden room accessed via Chopper Lane.
Seamstress ★ 4.5 · Melbourne
cbd · Level 1, 113 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Seamstress on Lonsdale Street occupies a former garment factory with a cocktail bar on top: dim sum, Asian-influenced plates and a rooftop that fills by 9pm.
Siglo ★ 4.5 · Melbourne
cbd · 161 Spring Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Siglo above Spring Street has rooftop views of Parliament House: aperitivo hours, a serious Campari selection and reliable late-night crowds on the terrace.
Dr Morse ★ 4.5 · Melbourne
collingwood · 274 Johnston Street, Abbotsford VIC 3067
Dr Morse on Johnston Street in Abbotsford sits beneath Victoria Park station: a two-room bar with a serious whisky list from Scotland, Japan and Australia.
Naked for Satan ★ 4.4 · Melbourne
fitzroy · 285 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065
Naked for Satan on Brunswick Street is the Fitzroy rooftop bar: pintxos, cheap vermut and a top-level terrace that draws weekend queues from midday onwards.
Cookie ★ 4.3 · Melbourne
cbd · Level 1, 252 Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Cookie on Swanston Street runs Melbourne's longest craft beer list alongside a Thai kitchen: live music downstairs and a crowd that arrives after midnight.
Heartbreaker ★ 4.3 · Melbourne
cbd · 234 Russell Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Heartbreaker on Russell Street is Melbourne's best near-dive bar: natural wine, punk records and a room that rejects any attempt at pretension from its crowd.
Arbory Bar and Eatery ★ 4.2 · Melbourne
cbd · 1 Flinders Walk, Melbourne VIC 3000
Arbory sits on a riverside platform beneath Flinders Street Station with Yarra views, an all-day menu and one of the city's best outdoor settings.
Double Happiness ★ 4.2 · Melbourne
cbd · 21 Liverpool Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Double Happiness on Liverpool Street is Melbourne's beloved Chinese-Australian dive: karaoke booths, cold Tsingtao and a room that fills from Wednesday.
Loop Project Space ★ 4.1 · Melbourne
cbd · 23 Meyers Place, Melbourne VIC 3000
Loop Project Space on Meyers Place is a multi-level CBD arts venue and bar: a rooftop with city views, rotating exhibitions and a decent craft beer selection.