Drink up! Melbourne’s best cocktail bars

It’s hard to ignore a bar that counts ‘Best International Cocktail Bar’, ‘Best Cocktail List’, ‘Best Bar’ and ‘30th Best Bar in the World’ among its many crowns over the last couple of years.

But although this Fitzroy sweetheart is hot on the tongues of cocktail-swillers and judges worldwide, Black Pearl still holds onto its local charm and natural Aussie hospitality. (Read: no cocktail snobs to deal with around here.)

Simply wander into the dark, sultry den and find a comfortable space among the plush sofas and ottomans.

In an instant, you’re transported to a bygone era where you can be anyone and ask for anything.

World class cocktails are the focus at Black Pearl and the versatile drinks selection is quite literally your oyster.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Cairo with Bulleit rye whiskey, Burrito mezcal, Cynar, desert mix ($22)

Attention Negroni fans: did you know the world’s best is right in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD? That’s right, understated Bar Americano is about as fastidious about the beloved cocktail as you can get.

Bear in mind there are countless other reasons to visit. There’s an air of mystery about Bar Americano and we don’t want to say too much lest we spoil it.

All you need to know is that the intimate old-world charm here is like nothing else in the CBD, and you’ll be looked after by bartenders serious about the art of making unforgettable cocktails.

Note: At time of writing, Bar Americano is on a temporary creative sabbatical till the end of 2022. In its place, the same team is running Bar Sabbatico. Expect curated multi-course cocktail tasting menus bursting with experimentation.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Five-course cocktail tasting menu ($165)

You won’t find this bar by accident. Like all the best bars usually are, it’s a labyrinthine affair demanding a series of twists and turns; down alleys, up stairwells and through inconspicuous doors to get inside.

But the mission’s truly worth it. Above Board is one of the best new bars in Melbourne and already gilded in well-deserved awards and accolades. The mixologist and visionary behind it all, Hayden Lambert, has been perfecting classic and signature cocktail preparations for decades. This is the bar where you can taste the result.

Above Board is not a skol-at-the-bar-and-go sort of establishment, so expect to sit down and get cosy. It’s an intimate 16-seater designed to let you watch the cocktail alchemy play out with your own eyes.

Dish Cult’s top pick: H.S.L. Special with Amaro, blackberry, lime juice and absinthe ($20)

If you’d rather your cocktail feel like a vacation on your taste buds than a labour of complexity, Chapel St’s Jungle Boy is the place to be.

The lush, plant-filled bar (hidden behind the sandwich shop) shakes up a unique range of both classic and signature cocktails and serves them in adorable tiki mugs. From jungle toddies and fish house punch to blackthorn sours and lychee and rose daiquiris, you’re destined to encounter a new favourite here.

But if you’ve got another creation in mind, rest assured. The team’s challenge is plain and clear on the menu: “We know our drinks, put us to the test.”

Poutine and sandwiches are on hand for the peckish.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Painkiller with Pusser’s rum, Coco Reàl, pineapple and orange juice, nutmeg ($20)

Stunning panoramic vista spanning Parliament, St Patrick’s Cathedral and Princess Theatre: tick. Sun-drenched terrace seating with Parisian wicker chairs perfect for afternoon and evening dalliances: tick. Elevated ambiance: big tick, in bold, underlined.

If Siglo was a cocktail itself, it would have all the right ingredients. The popular open-air bar masters all the classics and refreshing spritzes, with a handful of signature blends thrown in for good measure.

But what really sets Siglo apart is its sense of occasion.

Order a fine Cuban cigar and some olives to go with your drink and enjoy some of the best views of the city in style.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Barrel-aged old-fashioned with Makers Mark bourbon, Bitter Queens tobacco, Basement Bitters frost, gomme and orange twist ($32)