The 10 Bars in Victoria for a Good Night Out

Looking to have some fun once the sun sets? Victoria may not be Australia’s largest region, but it offers plenty of opportunities. The nightlife here can offer just about any experience you want.

Victoria is Australia’s second-smallest state by area, but also the second most populated. And it has some of the hottest destinations for tourists. Most of the action happens in Melbourne, although other major cities also cater to those that love the nightlife.

Speaking of nightlife, here are some of the top bars in Victoria you might want to visit when traveling through the state.

1. Bartronica

For a unique experience, you can visit Bartronica. It is one of Melbourne’s hottest bars and is open from Thursday through Sunday, and the party typically lasts until 1 a.m.

What’s cool about this place beyond the beer and cocktails? It’s an arcade-style bar. It’s one of the few places where you can get your drink on and enjoy some retro gaming, too.

You can now see why it’s one of the best bars in Melbourne.

2. Whisky and Alement

Opened in 2010, you can tell from its name that the Whisky and Alement bar caters to whisky enthusiasts. The menu changes and with all the bottles on rotation, the bar goes through 1,000 different types of whisky.

If you fancy tasting rare whiskies, this is the place to be. And don’t worry if you’re not in the mood for some, as there are plenty of cocktails and beers on the menu for quenching your thirst.

3. Transit Rooftop Bar

When not looking to pull an all-nighter, you can stop by the Transit Rooftop Bar. It’s known as one of the first rooftop venues in Melbourne.

The bar offers a fantastic view of the city at night. It also serves exquisite food and contemporary cocktails. Although it only stays open until midnight on weekends, it’s still worth a trip. You may even catch one of the many live music events held there.

4. Paris Cat Jazz Club

Here’s another contender for one of the best bars in the city. If you’re into jazz clubs, then this is a place where you can hang out. Just keep in mind that you might need to book a ticket first.

The venue often hosts live music events and is often packed. But it has good food and great drinks. The cozy ambiance makes you feel welcome. It’s a great place for a night out, especially if you aren’t in the mood for loud music.

5. Death or Glory

Death or Glory is another one of the top bars in Victoria. Located on 218 Chapel Street in Prahran, this venue embodies the skateboard culture.

The bar’s walls feature more skateboards than you can ever imagine. Everything about the ambiance and design is a nod to the Prahran skate park.

The menu offers American classics and it’s an excellent place for the younger crowd to grab a beer. Despite its dive bar vibes, Death or Glory is actually a cool place to drink in.

6. Whisky Den

Australians sure love their whiskies. And the Whisky Den is another perfect example of a whisky bar done right. Located in the heart of Melbourne, the bar offers over 360 whiskies.

The collection takes you around the world, too, with offerings from Scotland to Japan and back to Australia. The bar opens at noon and the bartenders pour drinks until midnight. 

Not a bad place to end up in.

7. Mordialloc Cellar Door

If you find yourself in Mordialloc, try to visit this bar. It can put some of Melbourne’s top venues to shame. Its extensive collection of family wineries and micro-brewery craft beers is terrific.

It doesn’t get more authentic than this. 

The bar also offers an exterior seating area and typical bar snacks. Select spirits and soft drinks round up the menu nicely, so everyone can find something to enjoy.

8. Beneath Driver Lane

Not only one of the top bars in Victoria, but Beneath Driver Lane is also one of the coolest hidden bars in Melbourne. It’s the place to be if you want something cozy and off the beaten path.

The highly-skilled bartenders can prepare a wide selection of traditional and contemporary cocktails. You can also enjoy the dim lighting and intimate ambiance, as well as a very impressive menu.

9. Bird’s Basement

Bird’s Basement is a popular spot that’s open from 6 pm to 10 pm from Wednesday to Sunday. Music comes first here, as the venue often hosts famous musicians.

It’s also a terrific place to have dinner and enjoy a few drinks. The intimate atmosphere and excellent service can make for a great night out.

10. Bad Frankie

If you’re looking for a true-blue Aussie bar, Bad Frankie is worth a trip. This Melbourne bar is known to promote native spirits and ingredients. And the bartenders create fantastic native cocktails using local produce.

It rarely gets more authentic than this. 

The bar is unpretentious and the service is high-end, despite the affordable pricing. It’s a favorite of natives and foreign visitors who want cool cocktails with local ingredients.

Honorable Mention – Hidden Bar and Cocktail Walking Tour

If you plan on spending a few days in Melbourne, you might want to consider this tour. It takes you to up to 15 bars in a day and allows you to sample cocktails in each location.

When not in a hurry, the tour can also give you great insight into the places that you might want to visit later. You can see which day bars are more appealing and which ones cater to night owls. 

Just keep in mind that nothing’s open too late in Australia.

Take Your Time and Experience the Nightlife in Victoria

You don’t have to find a spot where you can dance until the sun comes up to have fun. Some of the best places to enjoy a couple of drinks are regular bars. You can find them scattered around Victoria and many of them stay open until late hours.

The best bars in the state are arguably in Melbourne. But that doesn’t mean that the other major cities don’t have a good offering too. Whether it’s live music, native cuisine, or local spirits, you can find anything if you know where to look.

Give the top bars in Victoria a chance to impress you. They may very well surprise you and you’ll find yourself booking your return sooner than later.