Melbourne is Australia's secret city. Visitors from abroad are awestruck by Sydney's habour and opera house, but often fail to see Melbourne's charm. Melburnians however, all know that if you know where to look, the city is full of secret hidden spots.
Murmur bar is a fine example of a truly hidden secret Melbourne bar. Tucked away at the back of an alley way, off a small side street, up a flight of stairs and you find an atmospheric cocktail bar where you can while away a pleasant evening sipping new and innovative cocktail creations.
Think dim lighting, jazz music and attractive thirty-somethings drinking quirky cocktails.
Bit on the expensive side, but worth it!

Murmur bar is on wharburton lane in the Melbourne CBD. From the junction of Little Bourke st and Elizabeth Street walk west on Little Bourke (towards the Telstra Dome), Whatburton lane if off Little Bourke on the left side. (03) 9640 0395.
www.murmur.com.au/

Google map: tinyurl.com/pdnkff

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Situated on the shoreline between the marina and the bay, Rìva really makes the most of its bayside location. There are views across the bay, the marina and the Melbourne skyline and the outside decks sare great. The menu and wine list are pretty good. Rìva was packed when we went and although it's a bit different, it's still a great place for a night out.

St Kilda Marina
on the foreshore
42b Marine Parade
Elwood, 3184, Vic
p: 9537 2224

www.rivastkilda.com.au/

Google map: tinyurl.com/py7xom

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Highett is a pretty plain Melbourne suburb and wasn't renowned for dining or eateries until The French corner arrived. The French Corner is a bistro, bar and restaurant. If you want a quick bite, try the Les Petits Plâts or for something more substantial the Les Plâts de Resistance which are substantial meals.

There are some interesting choices on the menu. The service is good and the drinks prices are not too silly either. Many wines (local and French) are available by the glass. I liked the place.

493 Highett rd
Highett
ph 9555 1199
www.thefrenchcornerrestaurant.com
Only a short (100m) walk from Highett Railway station.

Google map: tinyurl.com/ov22g4

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Jimmy Watson's is named after an icon of the Australian wine industry and is a wine bar, bistro and restaurant. Located in the Lygon St food and dining area of the inner city suburb of Carlton, it has been a meeting place for Melburnians to chat, imbibe and graze for more than 75 years (it was opened in the 1930s by Jimmy Watson himself).

As it's also located close to Melbourne University, countless generations of students have met there over the years to discuss politics and economics. Run today by Watson's grandsons, the original aura and atmosphere of Watson's has been retained.

It must also be said, that in addition to this eating place, Jimmy Watson is remembered by the memorial trophy under his name offered each year at the Royal Melbourne Wine show.

Watsons is a Melbourne institution.

333 Lygon St
Carlton 3053 VIC
Phone: (03) 9347 3985
www.yourrestaurants.com.au/guide/jimmy_watsons/

Google map: tinyurl.com/o59mqp

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

This is one of the better old style pubs in inner Melbourne. Many types of beer and good grub.
Its specialities are the chicken parma and a good serve of fish and chips. Some decent pizzas as well as a kids menu. The rooftop bar and beer garden is the place to be on a warm night.
The Corner Hotel is also well known for its entertainment and is open until late...

57 Swan St
Richmond
Phone: 9427 7300

www.cornerhotel.com/

Google map: tinyurl.com/lt42wn

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

What does one say about a restaurant that hands you a drinks list when you arrive... with 68 different vodkas on it? And when you turn the page over there is a list of vodka cocktails... more than 25 of them!

The food menu (after you have finished looking through the vodkas) is very European-based with a Polish flavour. Borsch? Yes, it's on the menu. Goulash? Of course! Bratwurst and sauerkraut is included as expected. Come with an empty stomach as the servings are large. The service is cheery, the entertainment fun (a trio dressed as gypsies playing a violin, a piano accordion... and, of all things, a cello!) and if you really want to make a night of it, there is always the theatre next door.

Prices are reasonable and despite the alcohol, 'After the Tears' is kid-friendly. My grandkids loved their meals.

9B Gordon St, Elsternwick
(entrance thru the Classic theatre )
Phone(03) 9523 0969

Across the road from Elsternwick railway station (don't drink and drive, catch a train instead)

Google map: tinyurl.com/qpadfm

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Ten years old this year, makes the Gin Palace a venerable old man among Melbourne's hip young cocktail bars. It has lost none of its greatness though. Well trained bartenders, a bookshelf of cocktail books, hundreds of bottles (including dozens of types of gin) means that if you want to stray from the ten martinis printed on their cocktail list, you can have just about anything. Also, the chairs are stuffed with goose feathers, the music is never too loud and it is open every day of the year (including Christmas). I don't live in Melbourne any more but if I did, I'd be there right now.

Russell Place, Melbourne

Google map: tinyurl.com/qg2jvh

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Named after a notorious Victorian brothel keeper, Madame Brussels has a deliciously kooky garden party theme, complete with grassed interior, trellising and parasols.

Bright young things in tennis whites will bring you iced Pimms and cucumber sandwiches. Scrumptious in every way.

Level 3, 59-63 Bourke Street, Melbourne
www.madamebrussels.com
+61 (0)3 9662 2775

Google map: tinyurl.com/pfaryy

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A pub with a view, a great view across Melbourne's bay. A pub with decent food in the bistro, a TAB, a lounge bar and accommodation all within 15km of the CBD.

A pretty good local pub with one of the best outlooks in Melbourne.

Cnr Beach & Bay Road, Sandringham,
just around the corner from Sandringham station
Telephone: 9598 7255

www.sandringhamhotel.com.au/

Google map: tinyurl.com/ob4oe2

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Recently renovated inside, the Flinders Pub has moved to improve its eating areas with a formal dining room in addition to the bistro.

The pub is a favourite of motorcycle riders (it's a great place to start or end a ride) who frequent the bistro but the dining room is a nice place for those wanting something more formal... nice thick linen and quality tableware. It's a nice place to eat for those who have been tramping the wineries in the area or having a hit at Flinders Golf Club.

Cook St
Flinders
Mornington Peninsula
about an hour from central Melbourne
ph 59890201

www.flindershotel.com.au

Google map: tinyurl.com/l4vkfk

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A local hotel with plenty of different beers, decent service and an interesting food menu.

157 Moray Street, South Melbourne Tel. 9690 4511

www.melbournepubs.com/v/59/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The Boundary is a pub with a history,
although today it fronts as a pub with decent food, kid-friendly even for those with ankle biters or rugrats who want a meal out and, of course, it has the obligatory pokies and TAB. Oh, and a decent wine list in the dining room.

The history bit? The Boundary pub gets its name from being on East Boundary Rd which gets its name from being the former east boundary of a large farming estate (back in the 1880s through to the 1920s)

Take the kids (leave them in the playroom) and have a meal or play the pokies.

cnr East Boundary Rd and Centre Rd
East Bentleigh
Vic 3165
ph 9570 7044
free on site parking

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The best place to meet before and after a test match or one-day international. An institution with the die hard fans of any sport played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG or "the G").

Punt Road, Richmond, next to the Richmond train station and the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Where to start?  Melbourne is a great town. Go to the Victoria market in the centre of town, or the smaller and groovier South Melbourne Markets at the weekend. Take a surfing lesson in Torquay after a trip along the Great Ocean Road, or a breathtaking dawn hot air balloon ride over the Yarra Valley wineries. Inner city Melbourne has some excellent bars down its lane ways: check out Honky Tonks for great cocktails or the Hi-Fi bar for grungier action. Brunswick Street Fitzroy is a haven for great food and drink and funky clothes.  

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Lovely area of beaches, quaint towns and in particular, wineries. Most serve excellent lunches and generally you can walk round the vines in a beautiful landscape.

About 1 hours drive south of the city centre.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The Espy (aka Esplanade Hotel) is a St Kilda institution. Great location, looking out over the bay and back to Melbourne city centre. Mostly known as a live music venue, but as well as the band rooms, there's a public bar, pool tables, good food availble and the best atmosphere of any Melbourne pub.

11 The Esplanade, St. Kilda

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Pure South serves great food, all organic and sourced from Tasmania (hence the name). Chef Neale White creates original and delicious combinations and together with excellent Tasmanian wines, this is a great evening out.

Opposite Flinders St station, Southbank, Melbourne CBD

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends