Great cocktails, delicious food and sassy/great service. The flatbreads are a must-have and so are the fritters of various kinds. You cannot go wrong with any of the cocktails and bartender recommendations are great. The entry way is rather hidden, it's in a alley way. The décor is cool, with chairs hanging on racks, just in case, you know. They also have an outdoor balcony overlooking Swanston road where you can observe the hustle-bustle while sipping your cocktail. read more

Cabinet Bar & Balcony - Modern European Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Cocktails Cocktails Cocktails! Namely Espresso Martini :D Cabinet is quite a small venue with an excellent location, a great cocktail menu & delicious food to go with it. I like this place to meet friends before we go out to see a show for a few drinks and a lovely appetiser. I love the sizzling prawns & the eggplant chips. The staff are oh so friendly and I really rate that factor, this is what makes me go back. read more

Cabinet Bar & Balcony - Sizzling Prawns & Minted Lamb cutlets - Modern European Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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Cabinet is a great after work venue with a very tiny rooftop bar overlooking Swanston Street in the city. In all honesty a view of Swanston Street is not as good as you get at other rooftop bars in the city (that usually have more height). But the view is still good and a cracking vantage point. Getting there is very easy: it's just on the north side of Swanston Street on an alleyway just off Little Collins. Go down the alleyway and head up the stairs to where the action is at. They have a happy hour each day which makes it a great spot to come after work. read more

Cabinet Bar & Balcony - Modern European Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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Cabinet's pretty alright. You could heave a brick and hit another two or three laneway bars like it around the city, assuming you've got a magic brick that can pass through walls, and a pretty good throwing arm. Then again, it's a bit rude of me to assume anything about you. Maybe you're against cruelty to bricks. Yes. Anyway. Cabinet. It's a narrow laneway bar with a pretty secluded entrance. A friend of mine spent about ten minutes trying to direct me there one night, before she eventually came out to meet me on Swanston and take me up (it was admittedly her birthday we were celebrating, and she'd been doing so for a few hours by then.) And there were couches and tables and nothing on tap - pretty much your normal laneway bar. It was good, it wasn't brilliant, I'd happily go there again. read more

Cabinet Bar & Balcony - Modern European Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Well, there are a few cool things about this place, and a few not so very cool things. Firstly the staff are really nice, and I just love how you get into the place - through a rather non-descript door in a back alley. Okay, unless know actually know about the place it is very easy to miss, and the only thing that you generally see from Swanston street is a balcony, that is usually pretty crowded. I also like the narrow stairway leading up to the main bar. What I don't like is that this place gets crowded - really, really crowded. In fact it can be a challenge simply to find a seat on the balcony, even though there is a table free. They do have food, but it is mostly finger food, and the chips were just a bit too salty for my liking. It's a great little place, just not when it is packed. read more

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I never would have discovered Cabinet if I hadn't been given some rather specific directions. Traipsing around the city in search of a new bar to frequent can become rather tiresome indeed. Although, I suppose that's the thing about Melbourne; half of the fun lies in actually finding these places. In the somewhat classic lane way scenario, Cabinet is situated behind Little Collins Street on the whimsically titled Rainbow Alley. Somewhat dingy from the outside, upon heading up a steep staircase you'll be delighted to discover this lovely little bar. It's extremely refreshing to discover a favourite new haunt, and Cabinet has the potential to become just that. With a kitsch retro-chic décor and extensive drinks list, this is a solid addition to Melbourne's bar scene. A balcony area elevates Cabinet to classic status, a perfect spot to sit and people watch over Swanston Street during the 5.30 happy hour. read more

Cabinet Bar & Balcony - Modern European Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Melbourne loves its lane way bars and hidden doorways and Cabinet is no different. You can spot their balcony from Swanson Street but unless you know to go to the alley out the back, you will miss out. The bar staff are perfect almost to a fault. More than once I have been asked if I was OK sitting at a table inside, as there were empty tables out of the balcony. They look out for your drinks and will remember your order even if you haven't ordered from them before. I know it sounds strange but it is this little bit of behind the scene communication between the staff that raise up the level of service from average or normal to a zen like second sense. Their drinks menu is wide, from the regular beers to a great selection of wine. Then there is the Cocktails! Their list is long and the blackboard specials are always changing. I don't want to say 'Try this' or 'try that' because that will bias your judgement. Pick from the list or just tell the bar staff what you feel like today and they will whip something up for you! In short, next time you want to hide from the world in the middle of the city, check cabinet out. read more

Like all great things is Melbourne, Cabet is located down an alley. Once you find it, you'll be sure to be back again. I've only ever been on a week night when it easy to find a table inside or out. I'd imagine it would be busier in Friday/Saturday nights. The espresso martins are made to perfection. On my last visit the the "special cocktail" was lemon cheese cake martini. If they are on offer- order it. If it's not I'm sure the bar very friendly bar staff would be more than happy to make one up for you. A great location, perfect drinks at great prices and staff that know their stuff. 5 stars from me. read more

Cabinet. Oh Cabinet. My home away from home, my ship, my heart, my abode. With the entrance nestled down a Laneway just off Swanston St this place is very easy to miss, but definitely not worth missing. The setup is small but quaint, and there's plenty of seating and never gets unbearably busy. There's a balcony which looks over Swanston Street which allows you to check out the nightlife that Melbourne has to offer late at night from a fun people-watching distance. The staff are amazing. Friendly. Perfect. This place is a delightful gem, perfect for the start, end, or a whole night and I adore it very much. Normal drink prices, some delish. cocktails (some in neat mason jars), and the food they do is great. Flatbreads (pizzas) and normal meals are there and we'll worth it. As an added incentive, Tuesdays aree all day happy hour, $10 Martini Mondays, and $10 Flatbread Wednesdays. You'll enjoy this place when you wander up the tiny stairs. Say hi to Al, Cath, Marie, Kristy, Zeb and Sam from me when you're there. But realistically, I'll probably be out on the balcony drinking with Georgie when you are. read more

Ah Melbourne, You and your bars with alley entrances. I like the place. Good drinks, nice staff. Esp if you manage to get table. I'm yet to have food there (No, I'm not an alcoholic. I just happen to head here for drinks) So I'll be revisiting this review. read more

Our night was coming to an end but a friend made a quick recommendation to swing past this cosy beautiful hide away. As we made our way down an alley way off little collins st, Cabinet is a small inlet that leads to stairs that lead up to a very dimly lit interior. There's barely any light apart from some dim down-lights and candles in red candle holders, creates a great make-out spot (i am totally bring my next date here... no judgement). The outside is lit up by some christmas-like lights and the cosy rectangular balcony peers out onto swanston street. We sat outside and drank our ciders while we took in all that Melbourne's CBD had to offer. I never would have known this place existed if it wasn't recommended but i will definitely be back. read more

Love this place - it's tucked away up above with a balcony so you can people watch the peeps on Swanston Street below but from a safe distance and with a glass of pinot noir in hand. We were off to the Town Hall to attend a the Wheeler Centre Gala event and popped in here for a quick drink. There have plenty of bar nibbles and snacky foods, and a decent wine and drinks list. It's one of my fav bars in the big smoke to have a quiet pre or post major event drink. And no hipsters. read more

Went here recently after the melbourne comedy festival. Been a few times before and was a convenient spot to head to after the show. Place was buzzing so good atmosphere but it got pretty disappointing shortly after that. My friend and I ordered a cocktail. Mine sounded delicious - can't remember what it was, maybe elderflower was in it. Anyway I knew as soon as the drinks arrived it was going to be bad. The glass had a thick rim of sugar all round the outside and the colour of the drink was unreal. Really vivid and unnatural looking. One sip confirmed my worst suspicions, sickly sweet and really not very nice at all. It reminded me of when you first start drinking, and everyone tended to drink alco-pops because they were the easiest way to drink booze. I thought maybe I'd just made an unlucky choice but My friend said hers was the same. Way too sweet. So perhaps stick to wine, beer and spirits unless you have a sweet tooth. We then ordered some food. A flatbread and some chips. Chips were good and a ridiculously generous portion but the flatbread was just not right. It was very garlicky but tasted quite raw and overpowering. It just wasn't very tasty at all. So maybe an off night for cabinet. I don't know, but I wasn't feeling it! read more

Cabinet or broom closet? I'm not sure. It's quite small and hard to get a seat- though, that's testament to it's popularity. The little outdoor sliver of a tiny deck is great for views when it is not over run by incessant and unending smokers, who occupy every bit of free space. It's rather like being directly next to the puffing billy train. Again, as is the case is in nearly 99% of alcohol based venues I visit, I get idly distracted to bar staff about said alcohol. This being said, They have a drinks selection that caters for the common crowd. The bar isn't over the top or teaming with selections, but it is done well. It can be difficult to find a seat once ordering is done though. Rather nicely lit inside too. All in all it works well, drinks are good. Be warned; this place is no longer a secret!!! read more

I wanted to catch up in the city with some friends on a Sunday for a talk and a drink. The talking was more important than the drinking and we wanted to be able to hear ourselves think. One friend suggested the Cabinet Bar because of its location and quiet atmosphere. It was an excellent suggestion and the Cabinet Bar exceeded both of them. It was a few metres away from the corner of Collins and Burke streets. And apart from the ugly smells from all the bins in Rainbow Alley it was easy to get there. We grabbed an old table underneath the tasteful arrangement some old wooden chairs that were decorating the wall. Had a couple of beers and talked for a couple of hours. read more

Great food - we really enjoyed our gourmet pizzas. The background noise made chatting a little hard though. read more

Cabinet Bar & Balcony - Flat bread pizza looks great! - Modern European Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Was looking for a place for a casual wine in the afternoon on Monday and google maps directed me to cabinet. No regrets. The balcony was lovely and the service was great. Had a wine or two solo and caught up on emails and then was on my way. Highly recommend! read more

Such professional and personable service by Alan. He navigated me through the cocktail selection and aptly recommeded the cheese cake martini. I will come back just for this cocktail alone. Such a nice drink for someone who doesnt want to eat a piece of cake! The bar itself is intimate and social. Perfect for a late night drink. A classic example of a great Melbourne late way bar. read more

This little gem is right around the corner from my work, and is the best place for sneaky after work drinks, pre show snacks/tapas, or just a chilled out dinner and drinks. Great cocktails, tasty food. A little loud when the place is full, but that just means you'll have to snuggle in closes read more

Hidden away down an unassuming alleyway, Cabinet Bar is a stylish little wine bar that offers an outdoor deck with a view of the city. It's quite a cosy little venue, to the point of being a bit on the claustrophobic side when it's full (particularly on Friday nights), but the majority of the time it's a really nice place. It's a good bar to catch up with friends, because the music is not so loud that you can't carry a conversation, which I find can be an issue with a lot of the other bars close by. The best thing about Cabinet Bar, however, is the fact that they offer eggplant chips on their menu. Sharing a bowl of eggplant chips with a friend while sipping wine on a Sunday afternoon at Cabinet Bar is a great way to spend a day. read more

This was a quaint place with a nice view from the balcony. The small plates provide for a wide variety of choices for everyone. There is no excuse for not finding something you like. The staff was friendly although a little bit slow with the service. In defense the place was very busy. The table space for 6 was very small. The rating of 4 stars because of the great food and atmosphere. Not sure I would have found the entrance without help. This a a go to trendy place to try. read more

Go the espresso martini... Someone else had recommended this on yelp and they weren't wrong!!! We weren't there long - the bar didn't have a huge amount of atmosphere but the martini would certainly take me back there. read more

Came with friends for lunch. Waited 45 mins for meal, flatbread was mediocre, no soy milk. Won't come back.

Had a great night here, loved the saganaki, intimate balcony, reasonably priced drinks

Lovely spot! So laid back and I love the balcony at night w the fair lights - makes Swanston at seem magical! The drink staff are great too. Stay all night! read more

Hard to find as per all of Melb's best bars, but once you navigate your way down the alley, find the door and climb the stairs, you can relax with legendary staff and fullysick cocktails. Cute as balcony sitting over Swanston Street, pull up a chair and watch the city cruise past.. read more

Such a lovely bar. It can be hard to find somewhere for an afternoon drink in the city on the weekend. But Cabinet will be too of my list now. I also liked how the cocktails were longer, thirst quenching as well as delicious. Decent snacky food as well. read more

Friendly bistro cafe up a set of narrow stairs.. Limited menu but if you like flat breads you're in luck, they're superb. It's super noisy inside but if you get lucky for a balcony table go for it, you'll be able to converse without shouting. Staff friendly and helpful with menu. read more