Let’s be real, life’s too short for boring bars.
After a long day, sometimes we just want to getaway, and when you can’t afford a holiday, a fun night out is the way to do it.
However, occasionally even our favourite spots can feel a bit too familiar, and we want to venture out and try something new. A themed bar is the perfect way to escape the monotony, especially in Melbourne.
Home to some of the country’s best nightlife, this city has no shortage of fun, funky locations, just begging to be visited.
So if you’re looking to inject some life into your bar rotation, these quirky venues are awaiting your arrival.
Cream
95 Smith St, Fitzroy
Blink and you’ll miss it! Cream is a secluded Fitzroy hotspot that may look inconspicuous from the outside, but step over the threshold and you’ll uncover a vibrant urban wasteland.
Dripping in graffiti and bathed in a neon glow, this venue hosts a vibe that can only be described as red light district meets apocalyptic funhouse.
Cream’s offbeat bar comes alive Thursday-Saturday nights from 7pm ‘till late. Come on down and get wild with some of Melbourne’s best DJs. Have a boogie on the dancefloor or show off your skills on the stripper pole.
Get your party started with a Pornstar Martini, a must for any cocktail aficionados, with Cream proclaiming to make the best in Melbourne.
Alternatively, a rotating Mystery Drink Special is on offer for any risk-takers.
Double Happiness
21 Liverpool St, Melbourne
Alcoholic bubble tea? Say less!
Adorned with Chinese artefacts and Communist Party propaganda, this hidden laneway gem is undeniably one of a kind.
An intimate cocktail setting with an oriental twist, Double Happiness acts as a kitschy love letter to Chairman Mao.
Sitting on the cusp of Melbourne’s iconic Chinatown, this bar is an absolute must for any cocktail lovers, with a drink menu so good even the deso driver will leave feeling satisfied. Come and try the venue’s signature Espresso Martini, or feel refreshed with a fruity peach bubble tea with bourbon.
Not drinking? No worries. Sip on a luscious Pandan Daiquiri or relax with a fragrant Orange & Spice.
Double Happiness is a colourful East Asian utopia, that’ll bring its own unique flavour to your exploration of CBD nightlife.
29th Apartment
29 Fitzroy St, St Kilda
29th Apartment – Fitzroy St St Kilda Bars Melbourne
Responsible for bringing the NYC club scene to the St Kilda strip, 29th Apartment is a hedonist’s paradise, and a guaranteed good time.
Cross the white picket fence, and enter the debaucherous world of Katishe, aspiring artist by day, working girl by night.
This vibrant venue grants you an all access pass to a whimsical re-imagining of her intimate apartment.
Despite being homey, this abode is far from humble, complete with sprawling couches, a leather-bound library, and claw-foot bath (perfect for posing in).
Combining New York City grit with bohemian glamour, 29th Apartment’s ambience is effortlessly cool with mismatch of exposed brickwork and quirky knickknacks.
For the ‘ultimate party experience’, visit one of the venue’s iconic club nights, which run Wednesday – Sunday, and live your Project X fueled fantasy.
Alternatively, if you prefer a more laidback vibe, chill on the veranda, sip a cocktail with a retro twist, or try your hand at giant Jenga.
StoryVille
185 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
If you like your establishments with a touch of whimsy, Storyville should be top of the list for your next night out.
A Lonsdale Street icon, here everything from the drinks menu to the décor is inspired by our favourite fairytales.
StoryVille is not just a bar, but a full-blown experience! This venue feels like it’s been conjured straight from the pages of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.
Evidently, you can expect to be stepping inside the depth of an enchanted forest. Here, toadstools sprout from every surface and ivy clings from the ceiling.
Follow the technicoloured glow to the bar, where you can experience cocktails like you never have before. Where each concoction brings to life a beloved literary tale. Try an indulgent Golden Snitch or Polyjuice, perfect for any Harry Potter lovers. Or if you’re in the mood for something more Disneyesque, Aladdin’s Magic Lamp is a delicious way to start your night.
Regardless of whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, Storyville has something for you. Enjoy a relaxing drink from 5-11 with Cocktail Theatre, or head straight to the dance floor 11pm onwards to vibe with some of Melbourne’s best DJ’s and performers during StoryVille After Dark.
Open Tuesday-Sunday, this bar goes off on a daily basis, ensuring you can have a fun night out regardless of your roster.
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