Ever wonder if there’s more to Melbourne’s bar and restaurant scene? Something you might be missing?
The answer is yes! The beauty of our city is that it is stacked with hidden gems – whether they’re through alleyways, up hidden elevators, or down secret staircases – and we’re peeling back the curtain on a few of our personal favourites. Certain to impress, be sure to save this one the next time you’re taking out that one person who’s extra tough to blow away! (Special mention to my sister. Who’s yours?)
The George on Collins
Melbourne CBD
Slipping beneath the heritage Georges Building, you’ll unveil The George on Collins. A lavish basement bar, their individuality comes from marrying the industrial charm of exposed brick and neon lighting with the timeless luxury of their backlit bar and delicious drinks!
House cocktails are their pride and joy, and while we’d definitely tell you to try each unique flavour, our top three are:
- Fire Dancer, the surprisingly delicious and fiery mix of Herradura plata Tequila, falernum syrup, agave, mango puree, lime juice and tabasco.
- Tropical Heaven (we collect fruity cocktails like coins here), pairing Bacardi Carta Oro, Triple Sec, passionfruit puree, guava juice, lime juice, grapefruit juice and lychee syrup.
- Velvet Underground, with the rare flavours of Bacardi Carta Orto, Amaretto, Kahlua, banana syrup, chocolate bitters and coconut cream in this sumptuous sip.
Back Alley Sally’s
Footscray
Take a meander down Yewers St, a cloistered alleyway in Footscray lined with rear fences and brick walls, to discover Back Alley Sally’s. An eclectic space converted from an old t-shirt printing factory, this spot is now home to a trendy hideaway full of lush greenery, a fairy light illuminated bar, and a mosaic of textures and patterns.
In a space that’s bound to impress your guests (and have them asking “are you sure it’s here?” on the way in), our personal recommendations are:
- Life’s A Peach, a fruity smash with the regulars with vodka, peach schnapps, peach puree, lemon and sugar.
- Oaxaca Pastry War, mixing up Tromba Blanco Tequila, mezcal, Amaro Montenegro and St Germain Elderflower Liqueur, served with a backstory you’ll have to ask the staff about!
- Tipsy Priest, warmly blending Jim Beam, Frangelico, butterscotch schnapps, orgeat and lime in an elegant coupe glass.
Goldilocks Rooftop Bar
Melbourne CBD
Slide out of the chaos of the CBD’s Swanston Street, and take a sneaky elevator trip to one of Melbourne’s favourite hidden gems at Goldilocks Rooftop Bar. In an homage to its namesake, the space sparkles with fairy lights reminiscent of a fairy tale, and bursts with colour from the faux flowers that bloom across the bar.
With some fresh signature cocktails, our no-brainers are:
- Lemon Curd Martini, a yummy blend of Grainshaker Citrus Vodka, lemon curd, oleo sacchrum and fresh lemon juice.
- Chipotle and Mezcal Sour, a deliciously savoury sip with Mezcal, chipotle and adobo puree, agave and fresh lime juice, topped with smoked paprika and a peri-peri sea salt rim.
- One Nicht In Melbourne, including Bombay Saphire Mediterranean Lemon, Cointreau, elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon juice and absinthe.
Hoo Haa
Windsor
Slip away from the madness of the bustling Chapel Street, and discover the craziness of Hoo Haa instead! Just a few steps away lies a neon-lit party, complete with some decadent chandeliers and a dance floor to boogie all your worries away!
With an impressive lineup of house cocktails, we won’t sugar-coat it: you’ll want to try everything. But our tippy-top of recommendations are:
- Haiku, which blends vanilla vodka, sesame, coconut and matcha in refreshing summery sip.
- Cock of the Rock, the perfect fruity drink for the girlies who love their cocktails tasting like their morning juice (ahem, me).
- Ko Chang Sour, a fresh and sophisticated beverage mixing gin, elderflower, lemongrass, lime and foam.
Valhalla
Melbourne CBD
Indicated only by a tiny sign at the base of The Olderfleet Building, this Scandanavian inspired basement bar is punctuated by dark walls, wide wooden floorboards and plush mint-green armchairs.
So good they’re named after the stuff of myths, Valhalla’s signature cocktails are beckoning us to join them in the clouds. We’d suggest:
- Skadi, combining JimmyRum Spiced, strawberry and red chilli, cranberry and lime for a real zing to the senses.
- Valkyrie, a gentle yet powerful sip of Triple G Gin, earl grey and bergamot infusion, Marionette Wild Blackberry and lavender.
There’s no better feeling than discovering the finest that Melbourne has to offer, and being in on some of the city’s best-kept secrets. So keep your eyes peeled, and you just might find the entrance to your next favourite watering hole!
