Melbourne's must-do bars

From hidden laneways to glittering rooftops and everything in between, we’ve trawled the streets and skyrises and visited some of our successful Silver Chef customers.
If you’re looking for a new place to try, or maybe some inspiration for starting your own place, this is your list of Melbourne’s must-do bars.

The Palm Royale

@thepalmroyale
Nothing says Friday more than a Cuban cocktail bar. With its contemporary tiki charm and Latin beats, you can’t help but feel like you’ve slipped into a corner of the Caribbean. There’s even an outdoor smoking area so you can experience a genuine Cuban cigar (if that’s your thing) for the full immersion experience. The cocktail menu is just as much fun as the fit out, including our favourite: the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Campari House

@camparihouse
With a restaurant, lounge, function room and bar spanning four levels, Campari House embodies Melbourne’s diverse restaurant and bar culture all under (and on) the one roof. Located in the iconic Hardware Lane, Campari House delivers everything you’d want from a laneway venue, and then some. From the ground up, the food is heavily Italian influenced throughout. Up top amidst the Melbourne city skyline, the retractable roof and heaters make the quirky rooftop bar THE place to be, regardless of what the weather decides to do. The cocktail lounge has plenty to offer with beats to match.

The Rochester Hotel Beer Garden

@therochey
If the local pub is more your scene, The Rochey in Fitzroy is where it’s at. Their mantra “Good food. Cold beer. Music for The People” really says it all. Fireplaces throughout make it perfect for cosy catch-ups, while the open-air beer garden out back has Sunday Session written all over it. The Rochey puts its own contemporary spin on everything from the cocktails to the food, with a steady lineup of entertainment to match. Bonus: it’s dog friendly. Extra bonus: get 6 oysters for $10 on Mondays.

Ombra

@ombrasalumibar
You can’t talk about the Melbourne foodie scene without mentioning at least one of Guy Grossi’s esteemed venues, and Ombra Bar most certainly deserves a mention among its revered siblings Florentino and Merchant. Founded on a love of cured meats, pizza, beer and wine, Ombra focuses on the ideals of preservation – of both produce and lifestyle. With a diverse wine list spanning from Italy to New Zealand, you won’t be short on options. Delve into a menu showcasing centuries-old techniques for prolonging nature’s bounty such as drying, smoking, salting, fermenting, pickling and candying – a trend that’s on the rise.

Ding Dong Lounge

If quality beats served alongside your beverages is a must, then Ding Dong Lounge should be top of your list. Operated by former Cosmic Psychos drummer Bill Walsh, Ding Dong Lounge is designed with music in mind. Previous headliners include the likes of The White Stripes, The Ting Tings, The Grates and Ed Sheeran, just to name a few. With booths lining the dance floor, the venue channels a 1970s New York-esque vibe. It’s Motown in the heart of Chinatown – there’s nowhere else quite like it.