Best Bars in Melbourne

Black Pearl ★ 4.8

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.

Signature drink: Seasonal bartender's choice cocktail

Seamstress ★ 4.5

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.

Signature drink: Lychee Martini with kaffir lime

Bar Americano ★ 4.6

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.

Signature drink: Americano on tap

Cookie ★ 4.3

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.

Signature drink: Rotating craft tap list

Siglo ★ 4.5

Siglo above Spring Street has rooftop views of Parliament House: aperitivo hours, a serious Campari selection and reliable late-night crowds on the terrace.

Signature drink: Old Fashioned with Australian whisky

Naked for Satan ★ 4.4

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.

Signature drink: House vermouth and soda with olive

Heartbreaker ★ 4.3

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.

Signature drink: Jungle Bird and cheap beer combos

Dr Morse ★ 4.5

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.

Signature drink: Single malt Scotch flight, seasonal highball

Above Board ★ 4.6

Above Board in Collingwood seats 8 at a U-shaped counter and serves rotating seasonal cocktails from a hidden room accessed via Chopper Lane.

Signature drink: Classic Martini with house-clarified brine

Arbory Bar and Eatery ★ 4.2

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.

Signature drink: House Spritz with Aperol and prosecco

Double Happiness ★ 4.2

Double Happiness on Liverpool Street is Melbourne's long-favored Chinese-Australian dive: karaoke booths, cold Tsingtao and a room that fills from Wednesday.

Loop Project Space ★ 4.1

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.