What’s on in Melbourne: Themed bars to keep you entertained

FROM Harry Potter-inspired potions to Berlin-style opulence and New York cool, we’ve found the best of Melbourne’s stylish themed bars — just in time for the weekend.

Gin queen Trish Brew from Gin Palace with colourful gin cocktails. Picture: Tim Carrafa

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MELBOURNE is known for its cool cafes and trendy laneway bars. Take a walk down any street in the CBD and you’ll find yourself a new place where the drinks are cold and the mood is warm.

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Not only is Melbourne’s pub scene one of the best in the country, but the city’s bars are looking at new ways to enrich the experience for patrons.

Melbourne has such a large variety of venues and it must be hard to stand out from the rest.

But a number of places are finding their niche, setting themselves apart from the crowd with themed nights and venues.

From Harry Potter-themed cocktail menu (launched in South Yarra tonight), to a laboratory-inspired decor, Melbourne has really stepped it up in thinking outside the box.

The one question is, what will you be doing tonight?

Harry Potter fans can try a dram of Fire Whisky. Picture: Supplied

Firesetter Inn

Good Things, 147 Commercial Road, South Yarra

Get ready for a night of witches and wizardry as South Yarra’s Good Things introduces its very own Harry Potter-inspired cocktail menu. Held tonight and next Friday, patrons can enjoy their own Polyjuice Potion or Firewhisky. Butter beers aren’t on the menu just yet, but potion maker Patrick Peeve says they are working on it.

“We did a Harry Potter themed night last year and it was really popular — so some of the staff came to us and said it would be good to add some Harry Potter themed drinks to the menu,” he said.

“Who isn’t a Harry Potter fan?”

Firesetter Inn is open from 7pm -10pm tonight and next Friday and is already so popular that tonight is almost a sellout. Entry is free, but bookings are strongly suggested.

The Croft Institute

The Croft Institute

21 Croft Alley, Melbourne

Tucked down a windy alleyway the ground floor looks just like an old school science lab. It has a collection of weird and wacky glassware and custom-designed cocktails.

Berlin Bar

16 Coors Lane, Melbourne

Based on a time before the Berlin Wall came down, this bar has two sides — each themed east and west. The east side is opulent, featuring crystal curtains and low lighting and the west side has scratchy wooden blankets and black steel bunk beds. You don’t get a choice which side you sit on either so enjoy the experience.

Madame Brussels

Level 3, 57-58 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Decked out with fake grass parasols and pretty garden furniture this rooftop bar is one to be seen. The ‘garden party’ venue is has pink walls, sunlounges and a white picket fence where you can indulge on Pimm’s punch and cupcakes all afternoon.

Enjoy a cocktail and the view at Madame Brussels. Picture: Instagram

Bartonica

355 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Another of Melbourne’s laneway jewels, this bar features arcade games, beer and tasty cocktails and a New York style beer garden. It feels like an old school games arcade with 20c slots, pinball machines and console games.

Glamp Cocktail Bar

2/67 Little Collins street, Melbourne

This quirky East African-inspired watering hole proudly serves African-inspired cocktails and fine wines alongside local beers.

Glamp Cocktail Bar serves African-inspired cocktails.

The Carlton Club

193 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Indulge your senses in a world of decadent colour overseen by Wally the Ostrich and Gerald the Giraffe. This bar not only serves up delicious cocktails but has a gastropub menu to boot.

29th Apartment

29 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

With movie-themed bar snacks, New York style pizza and artsy cocktails, you’ll feel as though you’ve travelled across the globe to the Big Apple. And what is not to love about a giant Jenga game?

Double Happiness

21 Liverpool Street, Melbourne

If Communist China inspired propaganda decor is your thing, look no further, this is the bar for you. Best known for its espresso martini, this lane way bar is the type of hole in the wall where everyone knows your name.

Gin Palace

10 Russell Place, Melbourne

The name says it all. This has to be the go-to bar for those obsessed with gin. But gin-less cocktails aren’t neglected here either.

— Have we missed any? What is your favourite themed venue in Melbourne? Comment below.

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