If you're a Brunswick East local (which I am) you should consider yourself lucky (which I do) to…read morelive so close to such an exceptional bar. Mr Wilkinson ticks all the essential boxes. + A warm and welcoming but trendy and hip vibe + A bartender who does The Sunday Age quiz with his patrons every week + Boozy cocktails, wines and local craft beers + A different food truck parked directly outside every night of the week + A charcuterie board so good you will weep No other venue will give you that "I've found something special" vibe, while also making you feel like you're right at home.

This is one of this bars that I discovered simply by walking past, so being the curious person that…read moreI am I decided to step inside and grab a drink. I was immediately impressed, and based on the other reviews I must have a reasonably good taste when it comes to bars. It's a fairly narrow affair, but it actually holds a lot more people than it immediately seems, and there is an outdoor area down the side, and one out the back (though the one out the back is much better than the one down the side). The staff were okay, but it was the atmosphere that really grabbed me. They also had some decent beers available. I wish I had more time to go and visit places like this.

The creep of cool continues further north, with Cult of the Vine serving up a delicious and…read moreinteresting array of wines and a smattering of craft beer. Hidden at the end of Florence Street near the train station exit (genius maneuver to capture all those suited souls on their way home) you can pop in and take a bottle home, or crack it open right there and then to enjoy with proper glassware, ambient tunes and a plate of something to nibble on. The food options are limited, but they're really all I need when I want something simple and tasty to match with a good bottle. Charcuterie, cured fish, cheese and oddly enough whole boiled eggs which you can crack and peel while sipping on some vino. Apparently a boiled egg goes with any kind of wine but they'd run out when I visited so I couldn't put this to the test. Instead we ate truffled infused Spanish sausage, smoked almonds and loads of cheese along with some very good crackers. Service was relaxed and generous from owner Brad Lucas, who was happy to nerd out a little with us and offered samples of new and different drops. We left warm, full and contented... with two bottles of vino tucked under my arm.

Go here... Spectacularly curated 'natural' wine list…read more Some craft beers Ask the host for an egg. Take the train to Anstey station. Take the train home.

Part wine store, part bar, part function space, part DIY wine-making - say whaaaa? Yes that's right…read more- Noisy Ritual is certainly ticking a lot of boxes for a new comer. The three owners of Noisy Ritual come from wine-making backgrounds, and have established one of Melbourne's first Urban Wineries. So how does it work? Buy a membership (an awesome gift, if I do say so myself) and then through a series of workshops you will make your own wine - including stomping the grapes. Just want to drink? You can do that too. The space is warm and intimate despite being so very large - they have done an incredible job to make it feel so cosy. There are limited wines available (with the majority falling under the Noisy Ritual label) as well as a small selection of beers. While I am sure they will offer snacks in the coming months, right now you can order food from Mankoushe to be delivered to your table from up the road. But where I believe Noisy Ritual will really shine is with their functions. The space is just MADE for a wedding reception. Fairy lights, wine barrels and terracotta tiles - it's simply gorgeous.

My partner and I popped in a couple weekends ago on a Sunday afternoon. We each ordered their $20…read morewine flight and found a seat in the window. After waiting and waiting for our wine, we quickly got turned off by the atmosphere as there was a 1st birthday party going on in the back. We did not find the screaming children relaxing or appropriate at all. We continued to wait for our drinks before deciding to eventually cancel our order and ask for a refund. Not sure how soon we'll be interested in giving this place a second chance.

This is another one of those bars that I have known about for a while but it took, well, quite a…read morewhile to actually get around to visiting the place. Well, when I eventually did I have to say that it was certainly worth it. Yeah, it is probably a more a wine bar, but they do have been here, even though it isn't a great selection (one tap I believe). Yet, it is still quite nice, and the atmosphere, well, the atmosphere is also pretty good. In fact, I found the place to be a great place where you can do some work. Oh, and they have a pretty nice outdoor area out the back as well.

Hi folks, a massive word of warning since the bar doesn't see fit to advise their patrons: they're…read moreusing pasta straws, that look like typical paper straws. The venue is always very darkly lit, which makes it even harder to tell that they're not paper straws until you're sticking pasta in your mouth. There's no warning and no query on whether you want a straw at all, never mind one made of a major allergen (and an extremely common food avoided in the inner Melbourne suburb of Brunswick). The worst part of this was their attitude when my partner confirmed that it was pasta and explained the harm they caused in not advising that their straws were made of a serious allergen. The bar's attitude was to DARVO the situation, to say that I shouldn't have drunk through the straw - but that was the whole problem, there was nothing suspicious, it was incredibly deceiving. We were told that they didn't know about allergens because it 'wasn't their world' - they're in hospitality! Their practice and attitudes have caused me (and undoubtedly many others) a great deal of pain and illness, and it won't be over for months. Beware.

Impeccable service and a beautiful little cheese haven in the middle of Carlton. An extensive wine…read morelist and the endless cheese options is the stuff of dreams. Can't wait to head back for another weekend session.

From the owner: Spencer & Co Wine Bar is an intimate European cheese and wine bar. Our sharing menu features…read moreexceptional cheese platters, antipasti boards, small plates and wine flights. Our drinks menu is wide and varied featuring cocktails, craft beers, wines. A great spot to meet friends, celebrate with a group or just relax with a great cocktail.

Walked in after attending a wedding across the street with many other wedding patrons. The group I…read morewas with ordered a round of cocktails. Shortly after we were informed it was 'last order' 45 min prior to close. I offered to get another round as we planned on leaving at closing time. Was immediately informed we would not be served anymore as it would be "4 cocktail in 45 min". While I was far from intoxicated this still didn't make sense to me even after I explained they were not all for me. No difference. Nothing screams trouble like a group in suits and dresses. I respect the business has the right to serve as they see fit but killed the entire vibe for what felt like a cool bar.

Well isn't the Alderman just lovely!…read more We stopped by for an obligatory Sunday afternoon drink and a had a splendid hour or so sitting in the window watching Lygon street go by. I went for an Aperol Spritz, which was served traditionally with orange AND olives (so many places forget the olives) while my partner went for a Two Birds beer. The bartender was an absolute delight and chatted to us about her favourite spots around Melbourne while she whipped up our drinks. The Alderman is large but feels small and intimate - cosy spots at the bar or in the window and the booths along the side make it a perfect date spot or for an after dinner drink. It was very quiet when we popped in (I think we may have been the only people in the whole venue) however I have walked past on a Saturday night and seen people spilling out the door and on to the street.

One thing that I will say is the service is pretty good but when It comes to the people that serve…read moreyou! Well I suppose you can't have everything can you? One Guy there, I think he may be the owner, every time I have been in there he looks at me, like the look he gives me is like Lucky you have money because I would gladly kick you out. Maybe it's just me! "But" I feel that if you are not wealthy, you should not enter his shop. That's the feeling that I and a couple of others think anyway.

Decor and ambience lovely. Superb food and drink. Seat by the fire a nice touch for a date night…read more Will be back and would recommend.

Text message exchange:…read more Friend: I'm here. I think. Tresna: Great, I just got here. Friend: I think I'm in the wrong place. It's dark and there's no one around? Did you give me the right address? Tresna: Yeah, it's down a dark street, look for the light. It looks like some weird back door business entrance. Friend: (emoji horror face) Yes, you'll think you're in the wrong place when you first pay a visit to Host. But look for the light and trust the map marker. You have arrived. From the team who won our hearts at Twenty & Six, comes a booze bar that has every cool kid this side of Fitzroy excited. There's vermouth, a spritz on tap and a snappy wine list that has a little of everything for everyone - from cheerful $9 glasses of Prosecco to $130 bottles of tasty things from the Jura. I've been here twice and I've already demolished a third of the wine list. "Is it a small list or is Tresna just a booze hound" you ask? A little from column A a little from column B... The food menu changes every day focussing on seasonal and practical/cheaper ingredients that mean you won't be paying an arm and a leg to eat very well. Think: Japanese grilled chicken hearts, fish cheeks fried and served with Sriracha mayo, roasted cabbage, blood butter (an aerated blood sausage of sorts), root vegetables and house made bread served simply with excellent butter. The team are enthusiastic and happy to make suggestions on food and wine, so trust them and relax from the day that was. Pro tip: Make a reservation if you plan on arriving later than 6.30pm. This place fills up quickly!

Absolutely loved my experience at Host - from start to finish it was a dining dream…read more First up, I had no idea an elegant, classic yet modern venue could exist in Brunswick. Don't get me wrong, I love Brunswick with a fierce passion, but it's not where you head for a fancy night out. It is now. Host is located in a sneaky laneway behind The Cornish Arms. It looks like an odd-bod house and has a simple and subtle sign out the front. Inside lays a gorgeous, dimly-lit venue. Grab a seat at the bar or in one of the booths, which could fit up to six people. We sat in a back booth, just a twosome, and felt like we had the entire venue to ourselves, but still heard the warming laughter from other diners. It was perfect. We ordered the chef's selection for two, which was $55 per person. Pay a bit extra and you'll get dessert too. There were far too many dishes to mention but the highlights were: + Housemade bread with butter and smoked lard (!!!) + Savoury doughnuts + Hanger steak with Italian onion and silverbeet The drinks were just as wonderful as the food. I had a Casa Mariol to start (which they have on tap!) and then slurped down one-too-many chardonnays. The wine list is extensive, as is their vermouth list. There's only a small list of cocktails but they are all winners. Service = OUTSTANDING. Incredibly knowledgeable, attentive and charming. Host is a marvellous place to celebrate a milestone but without the hefty price tag you might expect.

Who doesn't love pairing Boggle with cocktails and imported beer? Kelvin Bar in Northcote is one…read morebloody cool place. The room is dim, the drinks are many and the orange scooter parked out front is the best indicator that the door will be open. The crowd here is very cool. No douche bags tend to frequent it and this is a massive plus. While monopoly and scrabble aren't the average patrons idea of a wicked night out, they have me exceptionally satisfied. Besides, incorporating bets and shots into these games is one way to encourage even the most unenthusiastic friend into an extreme word finding Boggle-off. The vibe in here is the reason I keep coming back and the comfy chairs, great service and good company do nothing to change my mind. Awesome place.

Its name might say 'Working man's club' but Kelvin Bar - or Kelvin's as the locals have it - is…read moremore like Mad Men, but with Boggle in lieu of secretaries and a soundtrack of Fat Freddy's Drop instead of Roy Orbison. A heady and seemingly irresistible combination to the retro obsessed, the unathletic but competitive, and, erm, New Zealand music fans. I.e. me. If, like me, the only reason you hunger after an iPhone is for the endless possibilities of the Scrabble app, you'll love Kelvins. The décor is faithfully early seventies, the wine list refreshingly organic, and the cocktails pretty damn good. But what really makes this place special is the veritable smorgasbord of board games on offer. Not only is gaming of the board variety accepted at Kelvins, it's positively encouraged. And with Kelvin's offering games numbering Yahtzee, Monopoly, Guess Who and more, you can easily while away the hours over a bottle of organic wine and a tryst with a board game in this unassuming and under-celebrated but really quite awesome Westgarth haunt.

I didn't want to review this club, because I didn't want to share the best kept secret in…read moreMelbourne. But I will because it's just too awesome. It's hip, urban underground and smooth. Classy yet it doesn't even appear they are trying. Open from Wednesday through Sunday, each night the Mango Bar comes alive with different sounds and genres of music. They've certainly got their pulse on the hottest up and coming local acts, as well as playing host to a range of renowned international DJ's. Each night there's something diff; electro funk, deep house, jazz and blues - there's something for everyone at Mango. The drinks menu deserves a rave as well. Spirits, beer and wine, as well as a sensational selection of martini's, cocktails and the signature Mango Daiquiri. It's like an oasis away from home. Somewhere you feel totally comfortable, totally chilled out and completed entertained by the music and live acts. There. The secrets out. Now go and enjoy!

Another Hall st gem!…read more Great selection of drinks, from $5 Friday happy hour, to cocktails & top shelf whisky's Mango is the perfect amount of chilled tunes & chatty crowd, with a small dance floor to carve up listening to resident & guest DJ's later in the night if the mood so grabs you, or enjoy the outdoor seating & perhaps throw in a game of jenga. BYO food (pretzels / crisps / nuts onsite for sale), and drop in for a quiet one, or settle in for an awesome night with the staff, old friends & new! PS- word is the espresso martini is the bomb (I don't drink coffee myself. Yes, we do exist)