It's rare to find a sophisticated bar outside of the CBD these days, and it's even rarer to find…read moreone that won't break your weekly drinking budget in one night. Hawker Beer and Wine Bar is located in the suburb of Highett just 30mins from Melbourne CBD. The bar is named after Harry Hawker, a local of the area. Harry George Hawker, was an Australian aviation pioneer. He was the chief test pilot for Sopwith and was also involved in the design of many of their aircraft. After World War One he co-founded Hawker Aircraft, the firm that would later be responsible for a long series of successful military aircraft. The bar itself is small and is directly across the road from the Highett train station, which seems to have some type of train passing through every 15mins. The fit-out is minimalistic, with large windows that give you a great view of the comings and goings in the area. What is great about this bar is the large cocktail list. With mostly original cocktails with a few traditional with a modern twist. The service is friendly and attentive, and I get the feeling if I lived in the area this would be my local. Apart from the great cocktails it has a good selection of beers and wines. It also had a pretty awesome snack menu, being provided by Typhoon, the Vietnamese restaurant next door. If you live in the area chances are you have either visited Hawker or know of it. If you haven't been do yourself a favour and pay them a visit, it won't disappoint.

had smiley faces on and were polite with service. nowadays became a sunny Saturday afternoon, we…read morehad been instructed we may want to sit down anywhere so we chose a table outside. Sipping a mocktail with the solar's warmth for your returned and hen's eye views, virtually outstanding. super add to the Glenny scene. meals was fun. We began with half a dozen oysters. Theses had been pretty small in length but tasted sparkling. The flavours to the barramundi were more mild and calm however once more, fish became very fresh. My companion appreciated the chorizo sausage and rice balls the maximum from the tasting platter, even as I enjoyed the sweet chilli chicken pieces most. the atmosphere inside may be described as stylish and sophisticated, can see it would be super for those past due night drinks. would recommended and come returned some time.

From the owner: SkyBar, Restaurant, Cocktail Lounge and Functions Venue busting out Creative Cocktails and a Modern…read moreAustralian Menu

This great little blue stone pub takes me back to the English countryside. With a proper old school…read moremenu of classic comfort foods like lamb shanks, surf n turf, pie of the day just to name a few. This self described "haunted' pub spills tradition and a cosy welcoming feel. While my porterhouse was well done (I ordered medium) it was still of good size and grade but perhaps a little dry. The mushroom sauce was also ok but it was more of a cheap pub gravy with a few mushrooms rather than a real cream or butter based mushroom sauce. My friend had the lamb shanks and described the meal as really great. The open fires and big timer mantels made for a really nice place to stand and chat over a few too many post dinner glasses of the house / self branded Merlot at $6 a glass. Mains ranged from about $19 - $35 for the surf and turf. The staff and service is very unpretentious, welcoming and friendly. I'll be back there without question - A great spot for a hearty winter feed.

From the owner: Built in 1857 the hotel once served as the first Cobb and Co coaching stop outside Melbourne on the…read moreway to the gold fields.

Fantastic food, and very good prices considering the quality!!! Their service is more than…read morefantastic. The interior is very cozy and country like.

Best secret ever…read more Great place on cold winters night, awesome place to entertain. Atmosphere perfectly homely yet fancy yet totally relaxed. Oh also has great food to boot. Pull over and have a great meal..bettered only if you have excellent company

Ahh, another bar that I discovered in my wanderings around Melbourne. It turns out that this one is…read moreactually pretty good, even if only because of the rooftop deck, but then again any place with a rooftop deck is pretty cool in my books. The other thing about this place is that they also have some nice beers on tap, but once again, this is what I have come to expect from such bars. Oh, and the service was pretty good as well.

While my favourite bars and pubs are generally located in the Fitzroy, Collingwood and Richmond…read moreareas, I have a nostalgic love for Nevermind. It is cozy, comfortable, friendly and familiar. When you just want to drink all these factors become pretty important. Comprising of a few different levels, an outdoors area and a lot of seating, Nevermind pulls steady crowds and has a really nice atmosphere. I've never felt uncomfortable or picked up any dodgy vibes. Its just a nice location and is filled with seemingly nice people. Due to the large amount of couches Nevermind is the perfect location to catch up with friends or even hold an event. The only thing I have a problem with is continuously walking up and down stairs to get drinks but it doesn't seem to bother me too much once I've had a few.

Food was delicious and perfect potions. The music was way…read moretoo loud which ruins the experience. Service is great

State of Grace was one of the highlights of our Melbourne trip -- an incredible dining experience…read morefrom start to finish. The atmosphere is vibrant, stylish, and full of character. From the moment you walk in, there's a buzz that makes the place feel alive without being overwhelming. It strikes a great balance between upscale and relaxed, making it perfect for a date night or a fun evening out. The warm lighting and eclectic design add to the charm and make you want to linger. Service was friendly, attentive, and well-paced throughout the night. The staff were knowledgeable about the menu, checked in on us at the right moments, and made the whole experience feel effortless and welcoming. Every dish we ordered was excellent -- not a single miss. We started with the Cauliflower & Mozzarella Croquettes, which were crispy on the outside and perfectly creamy inside. The Grilled King Prawns were flavorful and cooked just right, while the Kingfish Ceviche was fresh, bright, and beautifully balanced. The Stracciatella & Heirloom Tomatoes was simple yet outstanding, letting the quality of the ingredients shine. For mains, the Duck Breast was cooked perfectly and full of rich flavor, and the Lamb Backstrap was tender and well-seasoned. The Pecorino & Ricotta Ravioli was comforting and delicate, while the Seafood Linguine stood out with generous portions of seafood and a beautifully balanced sauce. The Honey Glaze Carrots were the perfect side -- sweet, savory, and executed flawlessly. Overall, State of Grace delivers on every level -- ambience, service, and food. An exceptional spot that lives up to the hype, and one we'd absolutely return to on our next visit to Melbourne.

Despite the fact that I have been living in Epping for a few years now I never realised that this…read moreplace existed. Then again, it isn't all that obvious, not being on a main road and all that. However, this seems to be a place for me to go if I want some craft beers, and it also has a pretty large outdoor area. However, I suspect that it is more a night club than a bar, since it is only open on weekends, and at night. Still, it is pretty cool, and I probably should go back sometime (though it is a little dark).

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)

The recently re-booted rooftop bar of the Rivoli cinema makes use of what has mostly been an…read moreunderutilised outdoor space. Offering a small selection of beers, wines and cocktails, as well as some more serious food options if choctops and popcorn isnt going to cut it', this bar provides a pleasant place to meet for a drink pre or post movie. Also worth noting that you don't need a movie ticket to venture up the stairs and enjoy the laid back LA poolside vibe.