Melbourne’s best cinemas with bars: Cinemas that serve beer and wine in Melbourne
FORGET popcorn. These are all the cinemas in Melbourne where you can take a glass of wine, beer or a cocktail into the theatre.
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THESE days, we can watch what we want, when we want, 24/7, so if we choose to go out and spend our hard-earned on seeing a movie — like, at the theatre — we want to make a night of it.
And what better way to make an evening at movies more indulgent than with some popcorn and a glass of vino.
So, in the spirit of making movie nights great again, these are all the cinemas where you can kick back with a beer, glass of bubbles or some artisan gelato and enjoy the show.
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THE BEST MOVIE THEATRES IN MELBOURNE (WHERE YOU CAN HAVE A CHEEKY BEER OR GLASS OF WINE)
1628 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave
Talk about nailing the drinks list. The range of craft beers and boutique wines at this fully-licensed cinema is entirely Victorian. Stop in for a meal at Reel Café next door, then enjoy a drink from the comfort of your cinema seat. It’s summer, so you can sip sangria. But during winter it’s all about the mulled wine. They also offer handmade choc tops (hello, Oreo, Cheery Ripe and salted caramel). Their outdoor cinema also screens retro films every Wednesday night during summer.
9 Gordon St, Elsternwick
Classic Cinema specialising in quality mainstream and Arthouse films. This big screen-cinema offers comfy seating and a long list of local beers and wines, as well as Hepburn Springs sparkling mineral waters or, if you so desire, a whole fresh coconut. The popcorn is cooked in coconut oil and sea salt — so it’s both healthier for you (that jumbo bucket is looking pretty achievable right now), and vegan-friendly. They also tubs of vegan-friendly Coco Joes ice cream. And what’s more, you won’t need to pay for parking.
380 Lygon St, Carlton
Because every cinema should screen their movies with a side serve of espresso martinis and cheese platters. Cinema Nova also offers a range of gourmet toasted sandwiches (tuna, egg and olive tapenade, anyone?) as well as more hearty options such as slow-cooked beef cheek, and slow-cooked lamb, roasted mushroom and soft-shell crab sliders.
Balwyn, Brighton Bay, Como, Dendy Brighton, Astor, Westgarth, The Kino
Kick back with an Aperol Spritz or a selection of local or imported craft beers from Palace Cinemas’ carefully curated wine lists. You can also indulge in a range of dietary requirement-friendly snacks, including vegan cupcakes or gluten-free lolly bags.
575 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn
This has got to be one of Melbourne’s best kept cinema secret. The food and drink menu is supplied and sourced locally wherever possible, and also caters to vegetarian, vegan and other dietary requirements. Tap beers are seasonal — on pour at the moment are Boatrocker Alpha Queen Pale Ale and Temple Brewing Bicycle Summer Ale. Prefer a bag of chips? Lido stocks Chipman Chips, which are made in Australia, organic and gluten-free. You can choose from potato, sweet potato, beetroot or corn chips. Alongside M & Ms, Maltesers and Pods, there are lolly bags made by Sassafras Sweet Co., Pana Chocolate bars (vegan, raw and certified organic) and tempting slices and cookies from Humble Patisserie. Get around it. You can also watch from the comfort of a regular, plush cinema — or check out a retro film over their summer rooftop sessions.
1/135 Fitzroy St, St Kilda
Until the end of January, you can sing the night away at one of the Alex Theatre’s summer musicals series. They’re not quite movies, but live performances of made for film musicals from the 1970s through to the recent 2000s. With screenings that include Cabaret, The Wiz, Can’t Stop the Music, Xanadu, Victor Victoria, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Hairspray, Sweeney Todd and Billy Elliot Live!
8 Ballarat St, Yarraville
Why buy a glass of wine when you can buy a bottle at this art-deco eight-cinema theatre in the heart of Yarraville? You even have a table to sit it on next to your seat. Choose from a curated wine list sourced from Victorian and interstate producers.
Pinewood Shopping Village, Blackburn Road, Mount Waverley
If you’re all about the pre-theatre drink, Waverley Cinema has you covered. This Pinewood Shopping Centre stalwart is licensed in the foyer, which means you can have your drink first, then have both hands free to enjoy the more important things in life — choc tops and popcorn, obvs. Plus, when the movies are $6, you don’t need the wine to help you forget how much you paid for a family pass.
Curtin House Rooftop, 252 Swanston St, Melbourne
Grab a brewski and a burger, pull up a deck chair, grab a blanket and settle in for a screening under the stars atop one of Melbourne’s best-loved venues: The Curtain Hotel. If you’d prefer a leisurely dinner, stop in at Mesa Verde for a Mexi-style feast before making your way above deck for a classic film, nostalgic favourite or recent release in a completely unique environment.
Level 1/3-5 Hewish Rd, Croydon
This long-running, recently refurbished multiplex offers showing mainstream, arthouse and cult films as well as a bar. Happy days. They have also partnered with a bunch of local restaurants for some seriously good value movie meal deals.
Station St, Caulfield East
Keep an eye on Caulfield Racecourse for the 2018 Gourmet Cinema Season. From March 1-11, it’s a sensory feast, with a range of cult, classic and blockbuster releases playing to a soundtrack of some of Melbourne’s best restaurants. Line up announced soon.
Central Lawn, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Birdwood Ave, Melbourne
Grab a picnic blanket, a pillow and BYO everything to this cinema under the stars. If you arrive enough you might be lucky to score a bean bag, otherwise pick a spot and settle in for a some moonlight cinema magic. There are also bars and food trucks on site. Running until the of March.
571-583 High St, Epping
If you want to splurge, head to Epping for a night at Gold Lounge, where you’ll have access to a full bar as well as delicious food.
Multiple locations
Go all out with an evening at Hoyts Lux and get your food and drink pre-show or during. Hotys also offers special Girls Night Out sessions, which can include a glass of wine.
Multiple locations
For a special occasion, there’s always Gold Class. But if you’re not in the mood to be wined and dined — opt for their special Flicks with the Chicks screening. They do a sparkling package so you can still have a cheeky glass with the girls.
OUT OF TOWN
Corner Moorabool and Verner sts, South Geelong
A Pivotonian is the old name for the people of Geelong — known in the Gold Rush era as Pivot City. This indie cinema celebrates Geelong’s unique character, screening quality films from around the globe, are complimented by a fully licensed Candy Bar offering local beer and wine and delicious snacks.
30 Hargraves Street, Castlemaine
With a European-inspired food and drink offering, independent cinema and diverse music program, the Theatre Royal continues a tradition since 1854 as the social and cultural hub of Castlemaine. Built during the Gold Rush as an entertainment venue, the Theatre Royal is one of Australia’s oldest continuously operating theatres. It’s an espresso bar by day, pizza and wine bar by night.
Portsea, Arthurs Seat, Rippon Lea Estate (Elsternwick)
To get the most out of the Barefoot Cinema experience, arrive early with your friends and family and settle in for a beautiful evening of sunsets, cold drinks, beautiful views, delicious food and great films. This year the Barefoot Bar will be stocked with refreshing brews from Gage Roads Brewing Co, while Mornington Peninsula’s Stonier Wines are bringing the vino to the party. If you’re hungry for some food, Martha’s Table food truck has you covered.
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