The Best New Bars in Melbourne in 2024

Uncovering Melbourne's vibrant bar scene is an adventure in itself, with each neighborhood boasting its own array of hidden gems and beloved favorites.

From iconic rooftops perfect for summer evenings to cosy pubs and intimate wine and cocktail bars offering a warm refuge in winter, Melbourne's bar landscape is as diverse as it is dynamic.

Whether you're in search of inventive cocktails, hard-to-find wines, or a glamorous ambiance for a special occasion, Melbourne's newest watering holes are sure to have something to suit your tastes.

Join us as we explore the best new bars in Melbourne, where every drink tells a story and every visit is an experience to remember. You're bound to find one with your name all over it!

Starward Distillery & Bar 

The gorgeous new renovations at Starward Whisky aren't the only incentive to come check out this Port Melbourne distilling legend. 

A visit here provides a chance to dive deeper into the world of whisky with fill-your-own-bottle experiences, distillery tours, and masterclasses made for your next unique date. 

They've also unveiled an amazing new food and drink offering, led by Head Chef Drew Traynor, formerly of Melbourne's Eau De Vie. The menu celebrates local producers with small and large share plates the likes of whisky Negroni marinated olives, smoked trout croquettes, and antipasto. 

Then there's the cocktails...and boy are they downright delightful. These new and oh-so-inventive libations include the Port Side (featuring barrel-aged black lime gin) and our favourite, the incredible Pumpkin Latte Milk Punch (infused with Nova, pumpkin, coffee, and spice).

Sitchu Tip: For a fancy alternative, opt for the Distillery Chef’s Selection menu, featuring a three-course meal with paired drinks and insights into the whisky making process.

50 Bertie Street, Port Melbourne

Moon Dog Wild West

Moon Dog Wild West is an epic adventure across three levels of cowboy-themed extravagance, housed within Footscray's iconic former Franco Cozzo building. It would make Clint Eastwood proud. 

With over 100 taps and space for 800 patrons, it's Moon Dog's most ambitious venture yet. Swing through saloon doors to find the ground floor adorned with a bucking bull and western-inspired décor.

The first floor boasts a Honky Tonk bar, live music stage, and secret Pianola Bar, while the rooftop offers a desert oasis with city views and cacti. Sip on tantalising cocktails like Tequila Sunrise Slushies, on cowboy shots served in miniature cowboy boots or on the Moon Dog craft beers you know and love. 

Whether it’s a casual visit with family or you’re locked in for a session with your best mates, the gastropub classics
like burgers and parmas will tickle everyone’s cravings. But it wouldn't be Tex-Mex-inspired without a serve of sizzling fajitas and double decker tacos, as well as a romping 1kg T-bone steak, and rotating dessert pies by the slice. 

Moon Dog Wild West promises an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Wild West. Boot scoot your way to it today. 

54 Hopkins Street, Footscray

Fleet Rooftop

Rum is revered at Melbourne's newest rooftop bar.

Sitting pretty atop level 22 of Flinders Street's Vibe Hotel, Fleet emerges as a beacon of the city's ever-evolving bar scene, with panoramic views of the city skyline that are unrivalled. 

The ambiance is a blend of sophistication and whimsy, beckoning guests to unwind amidst amber hues and chic retro touches.

Led by mixologist Grant Collins, the bar boasts an impressive array of over 70 rums, complemented by a curated selection of gins, whiskies, and local craft brews.

Chef Asish Kumar's menu celebrates Victoria's finest producers, offering the perfect accompaniment to an unforgettable drinking experience. We're talking rounds of Cobb Lane sourdough with saffron herb butter, braised pork cheek croquettes with apple relish and parsley mayo, lobster crepes and charcoal mushroom arancini. 

An elevated setting to soak up the magic of our city, this is one of the best new bars in Melbourne. 

Level 22, 1 Queen Street, Melbourne

Bar Olo

A slice of Piemonte, right here in Carlton. We're wanting a romantic evening nestled by the window here, pronto!

Bar Olo is one of the best new bars in Melbourne, a sanctuary of laid-back elegance masterminded by Anthony Scutella and Alison Foley, who are renowned for Scopri, a magical Northern Italian restaurant sitting pretty nearby. 

Amidst wood-panelled walls adorned with rustic artwork, indulge in regional delights like vitello tonnato and agnolotti del plin, expertly paired with an exquisite wine selection showcasing Piemontese treasures. Looking for snackier fare? Go for the prawn tramezzini and rock oysters on ice. 

This inviting enoteca and wine bar offers a sensory escape, where each dish whispers tales of Italian tradition, and every sip transports you to the sun-kissed vineyards of northern Italy.

165 Nicholson Street, Carlton

Wally's 

Nestled on the serene corner in Albert Park, Wally's is a new haven for wine enthusiasts seeking a refined yet inviting experience akin to a Parisian bistro. 

Wally's elegant interiors provide a timeless ambiance, inviting all to stylish savour the day. Owner Baxter Pickard's vision comes to life in this sophisticated setting, where a carefully curated wine list meets delectable dishes by Head Chef Damon McIvor.

He's crafted a European-inspired menu that evolves weekly to showcase seasonal produce. Indulge in share plates like flatbread with smoked celeriac butter, olives, anchovies and oysters, or go for heartier options like lamb pastrami and fresh seafood pastas.

At the heart of Wally’s lies a meticulous ‘book of wine’, boasting a diverse selection that ranges from approachable to premium. Expect an emphasis on rare back-vintage bottles as well as wines acquired through auctions, offering a unique opportunity to indulge in hard-to-find drops.  

67 Cardigan Place, Albert Park

Earth Angels

It's safe to say we're obsessed with West Melbourne's new bar, Earth Angels. It's not playing by the rules, taking the tried-and-true formula of cafe-wine bar to boundary-pushing new heights. It's not only an emerging gem for incredible drinking and dining - but also as a vibrant creative hub. It's also just...really pretty. 

It's set to be the place to head for your next jazz night, market day, fashion pop-up or chess club. Pair an eclectic program with a haven-like setting and light-filled courtyard - and artisans and enthusiasts alike will flock. Check their socials for any upcoming events. 

On the food front, Chef Narit Kimsat crafts dishes sourced locally, offering a diverse and defiant menu that tantalises at every turn. The dry aged duck pa-lo with tea egg and duck fat fried rice has topped the pops as one of our favourite new dishes for 2024. 

From its natural wine selection to its innovative cocktails (try the Angel Punch - limoncello, hazelnut, vanilla, vodka and whey), Earth Angels promises an unforgettable experience, a true embodiment of Melbourne's dynamic spirit. 

225-229 Victoria Street, West Melbourne

Olympia

Uncover a slice of Grecian paradise...in an Oakleigh carpark! 

Say hello to Olympia, a charming new wine bar in Melbourne dedicated to seasonal Greek cocktails and share plates. On sunny days, the aptly-designed bar's rooftop will present an Aphrodite-level of allure, or you can choose to unwind in a booth downstairs with a glass of Greek or Australian wine. 

Indulge in delectable share plates like olive mortadella and wagyu salami, saganaki croquettes, lobster and prawn rolls, and taramasalata with caviar and koulouri.

Plus, when the weekend hits, you'll be able to dive into a vibrant atmosphere of added DJ sets, where disco, funk and soul records spin.

Lively, lovely, Santorini dreaming.

12-18 Chester Street, Enter Via Portman Street, Market Entrance, Oakleigh

Maggie's Snacks and Liquor

Maggie’s Snacks and Liquor is a brilliant marriage of inventive cocktails with a sustainable ethos. With a chic clubhouse ambiance, this new Brunswick East hot spot can accommodate up to 120 guests across various spaces, including a warmly lit bar and vibey outdoor courtyard. 

Their cocktail menu pays homage to Aussie icons, featuring delights like the Margot Robbie and a Vanilla Slice Milk Punch.

Embracing a zero-waste approach, they craft snacks infused with Kiwi flavours, like pickled mussels with paraoa parai (Māori fry bread), a duck and pickle corndog, and apple shortbread served with kiwifruit sorbet. 

98/100 Lygon Street, Brunswick East

Bar Spontana

Bar Spontana, a hidden Brunswick gem from the team behind everyone's favourite Footscray bar, Mr West, is a haven for wild ferment enthusiasts and Thai cuisine lovers alike.

Step into this vibrant outpost tucked away down a side alley to discover a curated selection of saisons, lambics, organic lagers, sakes, mezcals, and rums. Modern cocktails and a far-reaching wine list round out the drinks list. 

You can pair these innovative drinks with punchy regional Thai dishes, including house-fermented sausage, fried enoki mushroom with palm sugar, red chilli and coriander, and charcoal-grilled octopus and pork jowl skewers, for a unique and unforgettable drinking and dining experience.

Vibes are communal and friendly and fun - all that you can really ask for in a cracking new bar in Melbourne. 

4 Saxon Street, Brunswick 

Brewmanity

Experience the ultimate rooftop escape at Brewmanity, Melbourne's newest brewpub and rooftop bar. Set in a refurbished glass factory, this three-level, 400-capacity venue boasts stunning city views from its rooftop terraces. Sip on brewery-fresh beers, cocktails, and wines while indulging in delicious sharing plates from neighbouring Bells Hotel.

With 14 beer options on tap and a menu featuring updated pub classics, Brewmanity offers a vibrant atmosphere perfect for unwinding with friends. Plus, it's all for a good cause, supporting Fight MND with every sip. 

That's right, this charitable beer brand was first founded in 2015, and was set up by former Melbourne Football Club captain David Neitz to support long-time coach Neale Daniher in his battle against motor neurone disease. 

50 Tope Street, South Melbourne 

Purple Pit

With a focus on inventive cocktails and small plates, this is the new bar in Melbourne everyone is talking about right now. Seriously, even Gene Simmons has been spotted here. 

The brainchild of Joe Jones (formerly of Romeo Lane) and Maurice Terzini (renowned for Sydney’s Icebergs and Caffe e Cucina), Purple Pit is a subterranean drinking den made for date nights and late nights. Its discreet entrance, marked only by white lettering and velvet rope, leads to a space blending brutalist edge with luxurious textures. Think theatrical curtains against black ceilings, floors, and bar, accented by striking, contemporary artworks.

Drinks are as inventive as they are enticing, like the Peach Negroni with a twist of smoked vinegar.

It's open until 3.00am on Fridays and Saturdays, and there's a supper menu that includes a riff of the Macca's Filet-of-Fish. Our eyes are also on the hash browns with Cafe de Paris mayo and smoked salmon roe.

376-390 Collins Street, Melbourne 

Misfits

It's beats and bevvies and a recognition of the local arts scene at this fun new bar in Melbourne's west. 

What was once Baby Snakes is now Misfits, a vibrant neighborhood bar that champions art and live music. It's the brainchild of Jacob Bell, Amber Hahipene (of Ferdydurke, Whiteheart, Section 8 fame) and Jerry Poon (The Operatives, an events and record label company). 

The venue is cosy and cool, with the outdoor courtyard playing host to a large mural by Melbourne artist, Drez. Inside, a raised stage and wooden DJ booth, adorned with tapestries by artist Reza Hasni, create an inviting ambience for enjoying the bounty of inventive cocktails and eclectic performances on offer. Try the Pandan Mai Tai and get your groove on this Friday night. 

30 Chambers Street, Footscray

The Walrus Oyster Bar

A retro-style oyster bar? Say no more!

We're a scooch obsessed with this bright and bubbly new spot in St Kilda, where sunny yellow walls and eclectic records invite you in to experience a true seafood fiesta. 

Named after the iconic Beatles song, The Walrus offers a magical array of oysters, bar snacks like crayfish crumpets, and tongue-in-cheek cocktails to locals and travellers alike. You can also expect rotating pintxos, tinned seafood, and a unique bottle list featuring lesser-known grapes from regions like Minho in Portugal.

Their signature dirty martini slaps - and you need to try the oyster pate they're currently dishing out. They also have a fabulous new Sunday lunch set menu we're desperate to try, while other weekend specials can range from wild boar ragu with polenta, a duck liver pate and kangaroo pastrami charcuterie plate, semolina gnocchi with shellfish butter in prawns.

Our indulgent, seafood-loving hearts can't take such flavoursome divinity!

9 Inkerman Street, St Kilda 

Sporting Club Hotel

Step into The Sporting Club Hotel, a newly renovated corner pub with a vibrant atmosphere and delicious fare. From the team behind some of Melbourne's favourite watering holes (Marquis of Lorne, Royal Oak Hotel), this revamped gem boasts a spacious interior with a welcoming horseshoe bar and a sizable outdoor area featuring a retractable roof.

Savour classics like a Sunday roast, chicken schnitzel with buttermilk slaw, a hearty steak or their crowd-favourite Rockling burger. We're huge fans of the share-style plates too; everything from Wapengo rock oysters with a Bloody Mary sauce to roasted wild mushrooms with fried polenta, garlic butter and parmesan. The Welsh rarebit is a must. 

With its lively vibes and dog-friendly policy, The Sporting Club Hotel is the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy fantastic food and drinks. 

27 Weston Street, Melbourne 

Pirate Life 

Prepare to embark on a brew-focused culinary voyage at Pirate Life, an SA-born brewery that's anchored down in South Melbourne.

Housed in a former mechanics garage on Market Street, this vibrant venue offers a dynamic food and drink experience, with a menu curated by head chefs Maria Delengas and Nicolas Lopez. Featured dishes have taken cues from Melbourne's cultural diversity, as well as the Chef's South American and Greek heritage. 

Indulge in expertly crafted beers, including venue exclusives like 'The Market Street Lager,' and explore a thoughtfully curated wine list by sommelier Foni Pollitt. 

Designed by Studio Gram, the space exudes industrial charm with exposed bricks, polished concrete, and greenery. Keep an eye out for exciting collaborations, live music, and art installations, making Pirate Life a must-visit destination for discerning drinkers. 

139-145 Market Street, South Melbourne

The Rocket Society

History meets culinary delights at The Rocket Society, a neighbourhood wine bar by Rumi's Joseph and Nat Abboud. The pita wrap stuffed with buttery hot chips alone is enough to tempt us in. 

Named after Beirut's 1960s space club, this is the perfect spot to come for a pre-Rumi drink, or even during the day to indulge in their perfectly snackable pita wraps as well as a ridiculously bright and creamy cucumber salad. 

Come evening, savour charcoal-grilled delights, including lamb with carob molasses alongside fun snacks like an HSP croquette. Sip on Lebanese wines, local natty's or classic cocktails with an aerial twist.

Adorned with black-and-white photos of the original society, the mid-century-inspired space boasts red leather seating and chequerboard tiles, with a communal table spanning the bar. It's one of our favourite new bars in Melbourne to pop in for a bevvy or two, with the friendly team a lovely added bonus. 

2 Village Avenue, East Brunswick Village

Gertrude Hotel

This newly renovated boozer has transformed into an Italo-gastropub worth its weight in gold. The Gertrude Hotel is made for your next elevated-but-approachable Sunday lunch with family or friends. 

Nestled on the corner of Gertrude and Napier streets, it exudes Italian-inspired charm with its airy and bright atmosphere, natural wood finishes, and heritage stone.

Indulge in a seasonal menu featuring pub favourites and Italian staples like hand-stretched pizza, veal schnitzel, charcuterie (the mortadella is a moment), steaming bowls of mussels, and crab linguine. For dessert, the tiramisu with a chocolate hazelnut crumb is downright to-die-for. 

With over 150 bottles on the wine list, including Australian and European selections, and cocktails paying homage to the Italian 'sphere, it's the perfect spot to savour top-tier cuisine in a stylish setting.

During the sunnier months, the footpath tables are made for relaxing with a glass of vino. They even have an array of excellent mid-week specials, as well as live jazz music come Sunday. Perfetto!

148 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

Gemini

Gemini is the must-visit new bar in Melbourne for discerning drinkers and food enthusiasts alike. This captivating wine bar and community hub is spearheaded by passionate Coburg locals, Tresna Lee and Shane Farrell.

After a meticulous year-long transformation, Gemini takes elegant pride of place within a setting giving nods to its historical roots - original bluestone walls included. Divided into three distinct areas, the bar offers a sleek granite benchtop, a well-stocked pantry, and a chef's table overlooking the open kitchen.

This is the place to savour the flavours of European-inspired snacks like oysters with a mango mignonette, baccala with marinated peppers, and a potato and whey focaccia, perfectly complemented by their oft-Victorian-leaning wine selection. They also have a range of Loro cocktails, including the Cherry Cacao Manhattan and Green Olive Martini.

Word to the wise: Gemini's signature Negroni is excellent drinking fodder. 

158 Sydney Road, Coburg

Commis

Commis is a fun and zippy new wine bar in Collingwood quickly making an impact on the 'burb's famously good drinking scene. Thanks in large part to the Gerald's Bar alums running the show. The menu here is as playful and considered as its surrounds, from the ever-changing, hyper-local dishes streaming out of the kitchen to the exciting list of wines ranging from textural and intense, to Tom Hank's level crowd-pleasing. They're also having a lot of fun with cocktails too. 

Sardinas 

Sardinas is the perfect neighbourhood spot. This charming all-day eatery, bar and florist is one of our favourite new bars in Melbourne, a cosy and inviting destination for relaxed daytime tipples and delicious snacks for the Reservoir set, and sibling venue to local favourite La Pinta. 

It's all come together thanks to Adam Racina and his florist partner-in-crime, Brooke Mora. Minimal yet memorable food options like their housemade charcuterie and signature tortilla, whipped tahini and radishes, fresh sandwiches, and lascivious Basque cheesecake are a siren call, as are the ever-evolving Australian wines on tap and fresh bouquets available to purchase. 

Wine can be ordered by the glass, litre or half-litre bottle; you can even return with your bottle to have it refilled. Sustainable seal of approval, check! Plus, there are even takeaway treats for you to leave with as well, from tinned fish to pickles to lavosh. 

A must-visit for laidback indulgence in Melbourne's bustling bar scene, Sardinas is a warm and welcoming space to enjoy the good things. A little extension of your own home, if you will. 

688 High Street, Reservoir

Whether you've discovered a new favourite haunt or simply added a few more destinations to your must-visit list, we hope this guide to the best new bars in Melbourne has inspired you to continue exploring all that our city's dynamic drinks scene has to offer.

So raise a glass to the vibrant spirit of this dynamic city, and until next time, may your nights also be filled with romantic date spots and cinematic adventures.