The Best Artsy Bars in Melbourne

For an exceptional cultural experience in Melbourne, Loop Project Space & Bar is the right place to go. They offer a range of fantastic events including film screenings, exhibitions, creative forums, audio-visual performances and DJs. Located in the famous CBD, just off Bourke Street, Loop is also the place for casual drinks with friends. Just on the open air rooftop of the same building, which offers stunning panoramic views of the Melbourne skyline, lies Loop Roof. There, they have an extensive drinks menu which includes delicious cocktails and beers that you can sip in a stunning tropical garden setting.

In a retro chic setting with the best of European furniture, Cabinet Bar & Balcony is a softly lit cocktail and tapas bar which reminds you of Parisian nights. It attracts regulars and travelers alike. They offer some of the best cocktails in town, cold beer, and an extensive selection of delicious wines. The specialty of the house however is the incredibly tasty mulled wine! To complement the wines, they offer a selection of mouth-watering tapas and breads. Overlooking the often busy Swanston Street, Cabinet’s balcony is the perfect spot to engage in people watching while relaxing at the same time.

Without doubt one of Melbourne’s best bars for shared meals and mouth-watering cocktails in an open air setting, Aer Bar provides the trendiest spot for party going people to express themselves. However, not only do they have exquisite cocktails blending classics to modern delights, they also serve a wide range of ciders, draught beers and bottled products, and tasty national and international wines. Hot summer nights are accompanied by a sophisticated misting system while cold winter nights are accompanied by gas fire places, making the bar an all-season Melbourne hot spot.

Located in CBD, Section 8 is a very unique bar in a garden setting which comes without the usual pub attached to it. Largely made from recycled materials including makeshift chairs made from wooden palettes, the beer garden is a highly popular and often busy must-go venue for anyone interested in Melbourne by night. This stunning container bar also provides a platform for talented artists from various disciplines to participate in a weekly battle which always engages the public.

In the depths of Corrs Lane, on the second floor of number 16, lies the fascinating Berlin Bar. To reach it, guests need to climb the staircase in a dimly lit setting and ring the doorbell once on level 2. Taking its inspiration from the city of Berlin itself at the time when it was divided in two parts; namely East and West, Berlin Bar offers delicious drinks while taking guests back in time. In the West side of the bar, guests will enjoy opulence with luxurious furniture and candlelights, whereas in the East, they will sit down in communist-looking bunkers.

Located in the heart of Melbourne in an old Victorian place, The Butterfly Club is home to an intimate theatre and an award-winning bar set in an extremely kitsch environment. Since 1999, The Butterfly Club has hosted countless shows. Talented young artists perform two to five times a night, and sometimes more famous ones who miss intimate crowds choose the Club to perform too. To the delight of culture lovers, the program changes every week. While waiting for the show, during intervals and after the show, guests can sip on mouth-watering cocktails in a bar full of kitsch items. This place is not to be missed!

Workshop is a stunning bar in Melbourne which is very active on the music and art scene by welcoming both the best DJs in town and the artwork of the most talented artists. With their commitment to put the best of Melbourne’s art and design on display, Workshop provides a stunning platform for local artists. What is more is that the space is free to use. From impressive street art to creative installations, there will always be an exhibit at the Workshop Bar that you can enjoy while having a tasty cocktail.

Located in a winding alley in the heart of Chinatown, the journey to the Croft Institute itself is an interesting experience. The bar is very relaxed and low key. Guests head there to relax after work, or start with a couple of drinks there before heading to another venue or the second floor during weekends for some more action. The building’s design is very cool with a ground floor designed around the theme of old school scientific laboratories with collections of intriguing glassware, meanwhile the second floor which holds massive parties on the dance floor looks like a gymnasium with a stunning turf bar. In addition, cocktails are custom made according to your mood! [jwplayer hGB1C8dY-RnIdcM25]

Located at the edge of Chinatown, Double Happiness is an intriguing and exciting bar that revolves around Chinese socialist propaganda. The atmosphere is relaxed, the bar and the drink options impeccable, and the service excellent, making this bar a very trendy and popular one in Melbourne. In addition, they get quite creative with drinks. Where else could you drink bubble tea mixed with tequila surrounded by Maoist propaganda on the walls? Double Happiness has such a great vibe that it will be hard not to fall in love with the place.

Are you a big rock’n’roll fan? If the answer is yes, then you will be very delighted to hear about Cherry Bar; one of the best rock’n’roll bars worldwide! Located in the very famous AC/DC Lane in the heart of the city’s business district, since the late 1999’s, Cherry has been offering great drinks until late hours. Early evening, local performers come to play live. They are then followed by talented DJs which keep the party going until early morning! Cherry is the hot spot for local and international music bands who come to play and party.