The Best Bars In Melbournes Bayside

The pre-drinks before an event are often the best part of the night. Whether you’re getting ready for a night out or hunting for a new set of places to try out, hop on the Sandringham line and enjoy this three-stop bar hop. Starting from Windsor and finishing up in Elsternwick, this Bayside bar hop guide features the locals’ favorites and newcomers to the area to try.

1. Uncle St Kilda

Restaurant, Bar, Diner, Vietnamese

If you’re looking for something spicy then head down to Uncle. This Vietnamese-inspired restaurant-cum-bar brings together all things coconut and chili and everything else in between. Offering a bar downstairs and a dining area upstairs, it’s worth ordering some food to share for the warm and bright upstairs experience. Uncle is the perfect place for groups wanting to start off the bar hop with a sit-down drink and chat.

2. Lucky Coq

Lucky Coq

A night at Lucky Coq can only be described a rite of passage; cheap drinks, $4 pizzas, free pool tables and live bands – welcome to student life. As this might suggest the crowd does tend to be on the younger end; however, with weekly specials and an array of live music including a blues Sunday session this is a venue too good to dismiss. If you’re looking for a great budget spot, Lucky Coq has you covered.

Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel Street, Windsor, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, +61 3 9525 1288

3. Ático Bar

Bar, Australian

Wander through the Mexican eatery Fonda in Windsor and ascend the back staircase to find this hidden gem. Ático Bar serves up a fiesta of tequila-driven cocktails that are fruity and bright, alongside a selection of 100 percent agave tequilas for a shot that will warm any winter chill. Unlike its downstairs neighbor, Ático is a relaxing getaway. With low candle-lit tables, this intimate attic space is a perfect date stop before or after dinner.

4. Pause Bar

Bar, Cocktail Bar, Australian

Enjoy something Moroccan at Pause Bar. Located at the heart of Balaclava, this little oasis has been the locals’ secret drop-by spot for years. With an interior that feels like it came straight out of Aladdin, Pause Bar embodies the atmosphere of a bustling marketplace, perfect for large groups or those new to Melbourne looking to meet the locals.

5. Treehouse Lounge

Bar, Cafe, Wine Bar, Australian, Wine, Beer, Cocktails

Treehouse Lounge Bar brings to Balaclava all the earthly delights needed for a good night out. Here you will not only find some of the best coffee in Melbourne but also a page dedicated to six varieties of espresso martini.

6. Carlisle Wine Bar

Bar, Wine Bar, Australian

Carlisle Wine Bar offers a large selection on their drinks menu. The vibe is relaxed, a good warm up or cool off place for your night out, with nothing pretentious or quirky but rather a focus on continuously serving up quality drinks and ensuring every experience is a good one.

7. Lyre Bird Lounge

Lyre Bird Lounge

A short stroll from Ripponlea station is the Lyre Bird Lounge. A small tavern, this venue plays host to many live bands and has built itself a reputation for being the classic local. A great stop if you or your group is in the mood to grab a beer or glass of wine while watching some local talent perform. This venue’s charm and laid-back atmosphere make it perfect for after-work drinks.

Lyre Bird Lounge, 61 Glen Eira Road, Ripponlea, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, +61 3 9532 7574

8. After The Tears

Bar, Polish, Australian

After The Tears is the making of three Polish expats. It’s a great venue for those who are brave enough to experience authentic Polish vodka. This bar has an art deco interior, with larger tables for groups as well as intimate nooks.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.