To mark the end of the day, the Italians do it best with an aperitivo. Here’s where to enjoy yours…

A cold drink, a tasty snack. What’s not to like? Celebrate the art of aperitivo in style at one of these classy restaurants or cocktail bars.

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Botswana Butchery
cuisinesSeafood, Steak, Aperitivo

Everyday between 3pm and 7pm, Botswana Butchery hosts aperitivo hour – though generously, it’s really four hours.

Over the course of the evening, warm up for dinner with $10 drinks and a sophisticated assortment of complimentary bar snacks.

You might discover such delights as bowls of balsamic house-marinated olives and mixed nuts with smoked salt and Aleppo pepper, or duck confit spring rolls and fresh oysters galore.

On the side, enjoy 500ml pours of tap beer and cider, a selection of wines and bubbles, Negroni, Aperol spritz, and Malfy gin and tonics.

The bar’s balcony level is an idyllic spot to people-watch on Flinders Lane and kick back after a long work day, with no need to book and spontaneous walk-ins welcome.

If you’d like to stay for dinner, a full menu of premium meat, seafood and wine is available. The night is young after all…

Dish Cult’s top pick: Freshly shucked oysters with Siberian caviar ($12)

Brunetti Classico
cuisinesItalian, Bakery, Aperitivo

Where better to indulge in an aperitivo than in the heart of Little Italy itself: Lygon St? Every Friday evening between 4pm and 6pm, the team at Carlton institution Brunetti Classico hosts an aperitivo night.

Order any cocktail or beverage on the menu, and you’ll get a complimentary assagino (snack) to enjoy with your drink. The focus here is on Italian-style cocktails. Think your classic Aperol or Campari spritz, a Negroni or a round of peachy Venetian Bellinis.

If you’d rather a drop of vino, the Italian varietals on Brunetti’s wine list are nothing to sniff at. You’ve got a crisp Pinot Grigio DOC and prosecco from Treviso, proper Chianti and an interesting Negroamaro from sun-soaked Puglia, among a selection of others.

Catch a flick at arthouse darling Cinema Nova afterwards, or if you’re still peckish – a full Italian meal from the alla carta menu.

The terraza seating out front is your best bet for people-watching and soaking up the buzz of Lygon Street’s Friday night vibes.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Negroni sbagliato plus one free assagino ($15.90)

Baby Pizza
cuisinesItalian, Pizza, Aperitivo

For a modern take on aperitivo hour in trendy Richmond, round up a crew of friends and make a beeline for Baby Pizza.

Everyday between 3pm and 5pm, the industrial-chic bistro offers cheap drink deals if you grab a pizza or plate of cured meats for the table. Popular snacks include the polenta chips with salsa and garlic aioli and rich bolognese arancini.

Bask in the al fresco rays and take your pick from $6.50 rosé and Peroni or $8.50 spritzes to sip on as the sun sets.

From pizzas loaded with carbonara sauce or polpette meatballs, to smoked scamorza cheese and other unique toppings, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to tucker.

Get around the $16.50 pizzettas (pizza’s equally as delicious little sibling), and there’s always the rest of the menu to choose from if drinks spill into dinnertime. Salute!

Dish Cult’s top pick: Salumi misti cured meats with rosemary flatbread ($29.50)

Johnny’s Green Room
cuisinesItalian, Bar, Aperitivo

Kicking off at 4pm on the rooftop, Johnny’s Green Room hosts yet another aperitivo hour you can stop over at on Lygon St.

Until 7pm, a selection of beers, wines, ciders and seltzers are only $10 a pop. Admire the panoramic views over the CBD skyline and leafy Carlton with your drinks, while a boppy playlist of Italo disco tunes softly croons in the background. It’s the perfect atmosphere for an Aperol spritz with a date.

When hunger strikes, there’s a menu of Italian-inspired snacks to keep your belly happy. Try the parmesan and napoli pizza bombs or a plate of calamari fritti with lemon aioli. You can further channel your inner Italian with traditional arancini and creamy parcels of burrata with tomato and basil to share.

For a heartier dinner, burgers and pizza await. Best of all, beloved gelateria Pidapipo is a 30 second stroll downstairs. Dessert? Sorted.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Olive Ascolana, fried olives, veal & pork ($15)

Fable Melbourne
cuisinesBar, Mediterranean, Greek, Aperitivo

Nestled high on Level 13 of the Greek Community Building in the CBD, you’ll find one of Melbourne’s highest and (as of 2022) newest rooftop bars.

With breath-taking vistas of Melbourne’s skyline, Fable is known for its unique cocktails, top beer and wine list, and a menu that features Mediterranean-style share plates.

Each Friday and Saturday between 3pm and 6pm, the weekend kicks off here with an upscale aperitivo menu of cheese, charcuterie, house-made bruschetta (using fresh focaccia) and more.

The Coffin Bay oysters with tabasco and green papaya are a delight to share, along with olives, smoked almonds and potato chips for extra nibbles. A chilled Venetian spritz makes a refreshing accompaniment.

The cocktail menu is gorgeously illustrated with a story about each cocktail, and though you’ll spot plenty of interesting options to pique your interest, don’t overlook the classics. Here, they’re expertly mixed.

Opt for an Amaretto sour or old fashioned for a taste of the timeless.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Cauliflower, green garlic and daikon ($16)

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