One of Melbourne's OG laneway bars, Gin Palace has been keeping folks loose and liquored for over 25 years. There have been many keys to the cocktail haunt's longevity: those famed chicken and mayo sangas, 90-milliletre Martini pours, a generous closing time of 3am (ideal for post-shift workers), a certain brand of bohemian swagger, and a mastery of all drinks juniper. It's such an institution it even won our Legend Award back in 2016.
September 2024: Though we've had some wild winds in recent weeks, the sun is finally beginning to peek from behind the clouds: a perfect excuse in our books to slip something sexy on, check out that new rooftop and swill cocktails with good company.
Melbourne has some of the best bars in the world, whether you're looking for the laser-like focus of 16-seater Above Board or the rock ‘n’ roll ‘she’ll be right’ of Heartbreaker. You can find temples heroing whisky and palaces dedicated to gin; you can sip naked wines or suited-and-booted cocktails, grab a craft beer and a parma or a late-night Gimlet and a Euro-leaning cheese platter. Or how about a prawn club sanga and a bottle of Champers from tiny charmer Apollo Inn?
If you're looking for a bar to head to, we've rounded up the top 50 bars that we're really loving right now – we're sure you will, too.