The best speakeasy bars in Melbourne
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01.08.2023

The best speakeasy bars in Melbourne

speakeasy bars Melbourne
Photo: Eau de Vie, Melbourne
words by ben lamb

Here are the best speakeasy bars in Melbourne, perfect for trying something a bit underground and special.

The best speakeasy bars in Melbourne span a wide array of shapes and sizes, from x to y and z to a, and everything in between.

You wouldn’t be blamed for being unaware of what a speakeasy actually is, the term first came to prominence back in the 20’s – 30’s in America, when the ban on alcohol (also known as the prohibition) first came into effect.

After that, many budding mixologists and brewers opened underground bars, known as speakeasies. They would have distinct features, including fake signs, low lighting, and intimate interiors. Many would also feature popular music at the time, a trend that has continued into Speakeasies today.

It’s obviously been a hot a minute since the ban on alcohol was reversed, but that hasn’t stopped speakeasies being opened since, many bars across Melbourne’s nightlife are inspired by the feel and design of the speciality bars, so today we’re looking around the grounds at the best speakeasy bars across the city.

You can also check out Melbourne’s most comprehensive guides to the best bars and pubs in each suburb and street here.

If speakeasies aren’t your cup of tea, also check out the best dog-friendly bars and pubs, as well as the best pubs and bars in Abbotsford, South Yarra, and Richmond. If you’re keen to journey somewhere a little bit more secret and ‘underground’ instead, check out our list of the best hidden bars.

The best speakeasy bars in Melbourne

Eau de Vie

  • Address: 1 Malthouse Lane
  • Vibe: Secret
  • Dedicated Menu: Cocktails, Cocktails, Cocktails

There’s no questioning why this spot takes the top on this list, walking in here feels like you’ve gone back a fair few years, into the time of prohibition. There’s dark lighting, jazz, and an interior that could only be described using Shakespeare’s English.

While you’re here, take a gander at their almost medieval-inspired menu, full of a selection of the nicest cocktails in the Melbourne region, featuring drinks like an Espresso Zabaione, Night Owl, Qing Dynasty, and plenty more, check out their old-school menu here.

There are also a few small food options, Eau de Vie focusing on finger foods, like oysters, olives, salmon, and plenty of other delicious items.

The Attic at Black Pearl

You’ve probably visited the popular venue Black Pearl many times, but did you know there’s a speakeasy hidden within it? Head up to the attic and find the aptly titled The Attic. If you want to give it a visit, you’ll need to find a secret door, give a knock, and you’ll be led in.

The Attic offers table service, where you’ll be able to order a plethora of delicious drinks from their seemingly never-ending menu. The easy-to-read menu is separated into different sections, making it extremely simple to find a cocktail that’d be up your alley.  One important thing to note, The Attic is book-in only, so grab your table for your drinking group over on Black Pearl’s website here.

Nick and Nora’s

Address: 80 Collins Street via, 11 Benson Walk, Melbourne
Vibe: Chill
Dedicated Menu: Raw bar and share plates

You may have heard about this couple before, Nick and Nora’s is named after the popular fictional crime fighting duo who came into the world through the book The Thin Man. Once you head in, you’ll be transported into the time of banned alcohol and secret parties.

There’s a selection of delicious food on offer at Nick and Nora’s too, you can dive into canapes like baby cucumbers, porcini and anchovies, or charcuterie with a number of the fanciest cold meat known to man. On the drinks end of things, Nick and Nora’s offer customers old school inspired cocktails, such as the Seductive Senorita, The Sicilian, and the Fugitive Fizz.

Antique Bar

Address: 218 Glen Huntly Rd, Elsternwick
Vibe: Vintage and old school
Dedicated Menu: Finger food and share plates

Nestled away in the streets of Elsternwick, Antique Bar has quickly become one of the state’s most popular bars. The laid-back interior is one of the most comfortable out there, you can easily kill a few hours with a visit here.

Their Spanish-inspired menu features items like sardinellas, baby squid, and charcuterie platters, and plenty more. Their drinks include tasty items like the apple crumble cocktail, the gingerbread man cocktail, cheesecake cocktail, and more that you can check out over on their website here.

Prohibition Food and Wine

Address: 1395 Toorak Rd, Camberwell
Vibe: Laid back and modern
Dedicated Menu: Pub grub with modern twists

As the name suggests, this venue harkens back to the time of banned alcohol, and couples it with mouth-watering pub fare and tasty drinks. It’s the space ideal for family and friends to stuff their faces and chow into food – there’s something for everyone, items like a kids cheeseburger, brisket and even duck tacos.

Prohibition also offers classic cocktails like Espresso Martinis, Aviations and Margaritas, local wines and beers, and everything in between.

Le Bar Supper Club

Address: 12 N Concourse, Beaumaris
Vibe: Classy
Dedicated Menu: Upper-class delicacies  

You’d be hard-pressed to find a bar on this list as classy as Le Bar Supper Club. Walking in here, you’ll feel like you’ve entered old-school New York City, with gold, leather, and velvet making up most of the interior. Their menu features caviar, lobster, Moet and Chandon, and escargot, making sure you get the best tastes of France. On the drinks end of things, there are many classy cocktails and drinks, perfect for a night on the town. For the most loyal of visitors, Le Bar Supper has a club, called the High Society Club, which involves secret offers, exclusive events, and many other VIP benefits. More info on the High Society can be found here.

Wines on Poath

Address: 76 Poath Rd, Hughesdale
Vibe: Hole in the wall
Dedicated Menu: Drinks, Drinks, Drinks

Half alcohol shop and half wine bar, Wines on Poath is a speakeasy-inspired spot you probably wish you had heard about sooner. There’s not too much online about Wines on Poath, so you’ll need to head there to check out what it’s all about, but they offer many grape juice options on their curated wine list, eight tasty beers on tap, gins ready to enjoy, and on top of that, you’re able to bring your own food into Wines on Poath so you can really make it your own experience. For those warmer weekend days where you’re planning to kill a few hours, bring your pet to Wines on Poath for a day out with your four-legged-friend. You can check out more information over on Wines on Poath’s website here, where you can also book in a visit.

Speakeasy Kitchen Bar

  • Address: 359 Chapel St
  • Vibe: Hip and modern
  • Dedicated Menu: Mediterranean

Inspired by the many speakeasies of years past, the Speakeasy Kitchen Bar has quickly become one of Melbourne’s most popular spots for all things food and drink. The deceptive façade hides a beautiful and vast indoor and outdoor space, perfect for any time of year. 

Speakeasy Kitchen Bar operates from midday each and every day, starting with a popular Bottomless boozy brunch. As the weather cools down, there’s warm drinks on offer at the Speakeasy Kitchen Bar, including mulled cider and mulled wine. In the cocktail side, there’s interesting twists on old classics, including a French spritz, a salted caramel espresso martini, a flat white martini, and even a cocktail called a beautiful Kathmandu. The fun doesn’t stop there – if you’re peckish, there’s a bunch of meals available, including parmas, koftas, tacos, and plenty more.

Father’s Office Speakeasy Bar and Restaurant

Nestled away on the popular Little Lonsdale St, Father’s Office Speakeasy Bar and Restaurant brings something exciting to the world of nightlife in Melbourne. Like all good venues out there, Father’s Office Speakeasy Bar and Restaurant has killer weekly deals ready for you to chow into – enjoy evenings such as Burger Night, where you can grab a burger and fries for an easy $24. Check out the rest of the deals on offer at the Father’s Office Speakeasy Bar and Restaurant here. 

But the fun doesn’t end there – with plenty of drink options on offer, with Father’s Office offering the most inexpensive drinks across many venues within the CBD. If you use their Mr Yum site to order your drinks, you’ll be blown away with the specials – like 2 for $30 cocktails, 2 for $40 beer jugs, 3 for $26 wet pussy shots, 5 shots for $37, and 2 for $22 vodka and Redbulls.

House of Correction

House of Correction has arguably one of the most interesting histories compared to any other speakeasy inspired bar that features on this list. It’s a sister bar to the well known Goldilocks bar, and it’s found in the popular site of the Denyers Building. Before it became the House of Correction bar, the spot as formerly a location that held prisoners when the Melbourne Gaol was full, and after that it became the site for Melbourne’s most popular porn cinemas, known as the Shaft Cinema. 

While you’re here, enjoy original cocktails, such as The Watchtower, which features Bourbon, amaretto, cherry and rosemary. More info on House of Correction can be found over on their Facebook page here.

Voodoo Love Child Speakeasy Bar

Based on the name alone, this bar takes the spot of the funkiest location on this list. Inspired by all things New Orleans, Voodoo Love Child is inspired by bars of past and present, notably classic speakeasies from back in the day.  There are awesome deals ready to go at Voodoo Love Child too, like 4pm – 8pm Happy Hour, which includes $15 cocktails, $9 wines and $9 beers, almost going back to the prices during prohibition.

To top off what’s already one of our best spots, Voodoo Love Child has regular gigs, so you can enjoy a bev alongside a selection of our most talented musicians. Recently, the Voodoo Love Child Speakeasy bar has featured music from Moogy, Groove Indigo, and Adam Rudegeair, among many more.

Beneath Driver Lane

Now, for a bar that is literally underground, Beneath Driver Lane has been a staple of many Melbournians’ night outs, thanks to their high-quality service, tasty drinks, and killer food. Their speakeasy-inspired interior will make you feel comfortable and look forward to the night ahead. 

There’s a selection of menu items available at Beneath Driver Lane, including cheeses, high-quality charcuterie, oysters, and plenty more that you can check out here. Meanwhile, their 24-page cocktail menu is something to wonder at, there’s truly something for everyone at this spot. 

Trinket Bar Melbourne

Located within Melbourne’s popular theatre district, Trinket Bar is truly a hidden gem. There’s a selection of mouth-watering pizzas on offer, all cooked with delicious sourdough, so you’ll know you’ll be eating right while you’re at Trinket Bar.  

Once you have a gander at Trinket Bar’s drinks menu, it’s clear they really know what they are doing. There are a number of Signature cocktails on offer here, including the popular Prima Ballerina, the Watermelon Negroni, and the Bitter Pearl. Or if you’re after something classic, there’s the cosmopolitan, the dark and stormy, and everyone’s favourite, the Espresso Martini. 

Still looking for some bar suggestions? Check out the best bars and pubs in Melbourne’s own CBD. 

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