10 bars in Melbourne, editor-picked for bars open late. Bars serving past 23:00. All bars in Melbourne.

Black Pearl ★ 4.8

fitzroy · 304 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065

Hours: Daily 17:00-03:00

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.

Bar Americano ★ 4.6

cbd · 20 Presgrave Place, Melbourne VIC 3000

Hours: Mon-Sat 15:00-23:00

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.

Above Board ★ 4.6

collingwood · 1/306 Smith Street, Collingwood VIC 3066

Hours: Mon-Sat 17:00-00:00

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

cbd · Level 1, 113 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Hours: Mon-Thu 17:00-00:00, Fri-Sat 17:00-02:00

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

cbd · 161 Spring Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Hours: Mon-Sat 17:00-01:00

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

collingwood · 274 Johnston Street, Abbotsford VIC 3067

Hours: Mon-Thu 07:00-23:00, Fri 07:00-01:00, Sat 08:00-01:00, Sun 08:00-23:00

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

fitzroy · 285 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065

Hours: Mon-Thu 11:00-00:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-01:00, Sun 11:00-23:00

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

cbd · Level 1, 252 Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Hours: Mon-Thu 12:00-01:00, Fri-Sat 12:00-03:00, Sun 12:00-00:00

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

cbd · 234 Russell Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Hours: Daily 16:00-03:00

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

cbd · 1 Flinders Walk, Melbourne VIC 3000

Hours: Mon-Thu 11:00-23:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-01:00, Sun 11:00-22:00

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.