Melbourne’s best secret bars and how to find them
Passwords, hidden doors — Melbourne’s secret bars can be hard to find, let alone get into. But we’ve got you covered.
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Nobody does a hidden bar quite like Melbourne, where secret passwords and speak-easies spread through word of mouth and make for an unforgettable night.
Often well placed in seemingly quiet laneways, the CBD and surrounds are filled with bars fit for an adult scavenger hunt.
The Melbourne City News has put together a live list of the best secret, small and hidden bars in Melbourne – and most importantly how to get it if you can find them.
Use our map to click your way through the most exclusive hot spots in Melbourne.
BERLIN BAR
If you find the way in you will be transported to Berlin where you can choose your own adventure.
The menu is themed around the cold war with all cocktails drawing on different elements, there’s even a Vladimir Putin cocktail if you feel like getting you spy on.
If you’re a cocktail novice don’t fret, the choose your own adventure map on the menu will help you find your perfect drink.
The bar has a unique atmosphere with the space split between West and East Berlin with decor to match.
On the west you will be welcomed with lavish extravagance boasting capitalist opulence and in the east you will meet the communist landscape with propaganda and even some Soviet artwork of Stalin made by a local artist.
Berlin Bar manager Cédric Bardou said the bar will only open three nights a week for now because finding staff across the city has become difficult.
“It’s really hard to get staff, all the international workers have left the country,” he said.
“We are walk-in only from 5pm and we focus on cocktails and a good atmosphere.”
Open Thursday to Saturday from 5pm.
To enter head to 16 Corrs Lane Melbourne and look up to see the Berlin lion – go up the stairs to the top floor, find the door and ring the bell to be let in.
BAR MARGAUX
Bar Margaux is a recent addition to the Melbourne bar scene with the sophistication of a French bistro combined with lavish cocktails and a golden hour menu.
Located in a CBD basement, the bar is inspired by lux French bars in New York where glamorous drinks meet bistro food.
It’s owned by the Shade group, who run The Everleigh, Heartbreaker and Connie’s Pizza.
Currently open Thursday through to Saturday from 5pm.
To enter head to the basement at 111 Lonsdale St Melbourne.
LOCH AND KEY
Loch and Key is the hidden bar above Captain Melville, Melbourne’s oldest public house, established in 1853.
Located on level two of the 150-year-old bluestone building the bar is known as every bartender’s dream with stellar staff and an atmosphere that makes you feel at home.
There is a contained balcony perfect for summer nights and multiple indoor rooms to explore.
To enter Loch and Key visit Captain Melville on 34 Franklin St Melbourne and head to the back of the space and up the stairs.
Pre-covid the bar was open all hours but now will be operating until 11pm Saturday through to Wednesday and 1am on Thursdays and Fridays.
EAU DE VIE
Eau de Vie is one of the worst kept secrets in Melbourne but that doesn’t stop many from getting lost entering the glamorous bar hidden behind a simple door.
The bar is straight out of prohibition America in the 1920s and is named for the large and rare collection of whiskies on the walls.
The space is intimate and dimly lit, if you don’t know what to order just ask the bartender.
Open Wednesday through to Saturday with bookings recommended.
To enter visit 1 Malthouse Lane Melbourne and find the large dark door and open, do not make the common mistake of going down the stairs on the left of the door.
GOLDILOCKS
Goldilocks is the ultimate CBD rooftop where you can escape from the bustle of the city below.
Goldilocks owner Tiffy Sze said letting people find the bar without help was the secret to its Melbourne charm.
“Some of our managers have said we should have a larger sign downstairs to make it easier to find, but I said we should keep it simple, it’s very Melbourne and I don’t want to change that,” she said.
“All our product is from Victoria, we want to keep it local with all our craft beer and wine coming from around the state.”
Each bartender puts their own spin on the menu to keep the adventurous cocktails fresh, sharp and fun.
If you can’t decide what to get the staff love a challenge and can work something up.
To enter, head to 264 Swanston St Melbourne and take the elevator to Level 4, then walk straight through the empty restaurant to a stairwell leading upstairs to the rooftop.
The rooftop is open seven days a week.
SECRET GARDEN BAR
In partnership with four pillars QT Melbourne have opened up a rooftop gin garden for summer.
The Secret Garden Bar is an oasis with stunning city views fitting 40 people inside.
In the private garden feels like your own city terrace covered in bushes of native river mint, large leaves of fruit salad sage and blue lily pilly.
The bespoke space has an impressive gin-heavy menu, or guests can create their own infusion and grab herbs from the garden to mix with their gin or choice.
To enter head to the hidden door located at the back of house of QT Melbourne on 133 Russel St Melbourne.
PIZZA PIZZA PIZZA
Pizza Pizza Pizza don’t like to talk or advertise their back bar, but if you are lucky enough to get a spot you won’t regret it.
The New York style pizza along is worth the trip, but head to the back if you can for whatever drink takes your fancy.
The bar motto is ‘no judgment’ with customers encouraged to order whatever they feel like rather than what’s on the menu – if your mates make fun of your fruity cocktails the bar staff won’t.
Venue manager Jessica Pletcher says the bar replies on word of mouth to bring people in.
“We have never traditionally advertised or promoted the fact there's a bar out the back,” she said.
“We reply on word of mouth and recommendations like a traditional speak-easy.
“It’s a very cocktail focused bar but we do a limited drinks menu people encouraged to order whatever you’d like off menu.”
Pizza Pizza Pizza is open Wednesday through to Saturday from 5pm until late.
To enter, go to Pizza Pizza Pizza at 16 Meyers Place Melbourne and ask for the “special menu” and hopefully a staff member will let you through.
TRINKET BAR
Like entering Narnia, to get into the Trinket Bar and it’s even more secret basement bar you need to be prepared to go through a wardrobe.
Bar owners like to say you can only find it by accident when you’re lost but there is a trick to finding this secret bar.
With a range of cocktails and food with an elegant twist, dress to match the jewellery box like bar.
To enter head to 87 Flinders Lane Melbourne where you find Gem – a scary looking ballerina who will decide if you can be let in or not.
If you can find the hidden key that opens the door you’re in! But there is another secret bar hidden within … if you have find the wardrobe within the art-deco bar open it, walk through and head to the basement.
BAR AMERICANO
Bar Americano is a hidden gem in the city that you won’t find on social media.
There is a strict no photo rule here, if you want an Instagram picture just ask the staff who can provide one – the venue has no Instagram page either, if you want to be social just come in.
Bar American owner Matthew Bax said the small bar was known for it’s Negroni – but they don’t like to talk about it.
“I think hidden spots are popular anywhere in the world. The movie Swingers explains it well, people like to be in on a secret,” he said.
“The secret to our longevity is that we make simple classic cocktails really well.
“Many say our Negroni is the best in the world.
“We are not bipartisan enough to share our opinion on the matter, so people should come test the claim for themselves.”
Classic cocktails like the infamous Negroni always stay on the menu but a seasonal selection changes weekly.
Bar American’s infamously difficult door has now been swung wide open to seat as many guests as possible.
The tiny space has now expended onto a Napoli quarter outside to ensure maximum capacity in a covid-safe space.
Bar Americano say they are located “in a laneway, off another laneway, somewhere in the CBD,” but lucky for you we know the address.
To enter, visit 20 Presgrave Place Melbourne.
JUNGLE BOY
Finding a tiki bar behind a sandwich shop is just another night for Melburnians who know where to look for the ultimate speak-easy.
Located through a cold room, Jungle Boy is a Windsor institution with a tropical tiki vibe with strange and wonderful decor including taxidermy figures.
To enter visit Boston Sub on 98 Chapel St, Windsor and ask the staff if there is “any room out the back”. If you’re e of the lucky few allowed in, you will be led through the cool room door until you emerge into a drinks paradise.
Open from 5pm to 1am everyday.
To stay up to date with our live list of Melbourne's secret bars like us on Facebook here
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Contact Grace at grace.mckinnon@news.com.au
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