I've been holding on to this review for some time, not quite certain how to express my deep love and affection for Lily Blacks. 5pm G&T using one of their many gins? Pre-dinner cocktails from their extensive list of classics, modern interpretations or house specilaities? Perhaps a post-dinner tipple, bartender's choice with a lags chunk of hand-carved ice? They do it all, and they do it well without fuss or pretension. Rock on up or book a space if you plan on hosting a larger group of friends. Just don't forget to invite me. read more

Lily Blacks - Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

See all

A cocktail bar loved and revered by bartenders and booze-fiends. Casual, fun, moody lighting, plenty of seats. Perfect spot for a drink in its own right but its location also means its a great place for meeting friends or waiting for a table at nearby restaurants like San Telmo or Senoritas. read more

Lily Boacks is on of the famous place in Melbourne especially by people working in hospitality. They are open late, not too expensive and have an excellent selection of beers and cocktails. If you are a bitter lover you'll enjoy their bitters choices. read more

Lily Blacks - Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

This is a lovely little cocktail bar down the classier end of the city. Mind you, I generally don't come down this part of the city all that much, namely because cocktail and wine bars simply aren't my thing, and even though they call this part of Melbourne 'The Paris End' the one thing it doesn't remind me of is Paris (just Sydney). Anyway, Lily Blacks is, as I mentioned, a cocktail bar, but they also have a decent selection of beers on tap. When I went here it was pretty quiet, which is what I tend to like in a bar, though it does get somewhat more crowded later on in the week. The bartender was nice, and the atmosphere was pretty cool as well, however it isn't really a place I would go out of my way to visit. read more

See all

Hello martini.... you dirty thing you.. With the Iron Bartender competition held here you know that this would be a place that can help you. If you have never been to one of these you have to go its SO MUCH FUN the vibe at this event is brilliant. I like to go during the week as it can get a little busy on a Saturday So I go here a bit.. and now they do their own pickles. Yes you heard me PICKLES hold onto your panties Yelpers they made me a PINK gibson that was garnished with the house made pickles - carrot, beetroot & cucumber Don't worry they will make you any martini you want. The bartenders know how to make 'your' perfect martini by asking you some personal question so they can get it right. They have an amazing variety of gin and provide many different garnishes - green olives, anchovy olives, house made pickles, cocktail onions, citrus twists; There is also HEAPS of bitters and all served in mis - matched antique glassware very cute. Don't worry for those of you that are not into your martinis they make AMAZING cocktails too. I would be more than happy to spend my martini madness here... read more

Lily Blacks - The PINK Gibson - Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

When I'm having Dorothy Parker moment I like to come to Lily Blacks. The glamorous 1920s interior makes my gin-fuelled bitching sound so much wittier than when I'm sitting in my PJs on my couch mouthing off. I have a weird thing where I like to dress in a theme, so before a swill and swear session at Lily Blacks, I'll throw on some lipstick and a shapeless dress and voila! I'm suddenly a classy alcoholic poetess heading off to a speakeasy. Even better, classiness at Lily Blacks extends beyond the décor - the cocktails here are damn good. The list has all the classics, and the bar staff know their stuff. When the bar is quiet the staff are happy to have a chat to help you decide, and even make you up something not on the list to suit your taste. This love of liquor is infectious (possibly because the barmen are as charming as hell), so if you don't watch yourself you'll soon be drinking your way around the very, very substantial bar. read more

Lily Blacks - The bicycle over the door. - Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

If you're out drinking in Melbourne, sometimes, you lose places. You come across a bar or a dirty kebab joint or a regular karaoke evening, and you don't pay attention to where you are and 'poof', it vanishes. Sometimes, though, they come back. Lily Blacks has, for me. I was here about five years ago, and loved it. It was a bar full of low-key artwork and comfortable low-slung couches. It was a bar for sitting back in my big black coat and ordering a scotch or a martini and chatting in a low voice to the girl sitting next to me. It was a bar I felt suave in, a bar that suggested that was a possibility. And, bless the city's tangled soul, I've found it again. read more

Lily Blacks - Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

See all

Lily Blacks is one of my favourite cocktail bars in Melbourne. If I'm not gazing into my date's eyes, then I'm gazing at their beautiful array of bottles. The place serves up top notch cocktails with a relaxed vibe. Which means I can enjoy a good quality drink without any judgement. The bartenders are knowledgeable and great at preparing quality drinks, although a bit hands-off when it comes to idol chit-chat. There is a juicer behind the bar for fresh pressed mixers. And the menu offers interesting drink inspirations- like their twist on the pickle back. (I highly recommend the rum and ginger beetroot chaser.) If I'm out late, I want Lily Blacks to be my date. read more

I went to Lily Blacks as part of a Yelp Unofficial event and have to admit that I quite like the place. Set in Meyers Place, Lily Blacks offers a wide range of cocktails. Beer and wine are on offer as well but they do focus a more on cocktails. It is actually awesome to sit at the bar with a drink and have a chat to the bartender while watching him prep drinks. I am a fan of bars with an actual bar where you can sit on your own and enjoy a drink. It is definitely a great place to chill after work (also gets pretty busy after about 7pm) and I reckon I would hang out there quite often if I worked in town. I stuck with G&Ts on the night but will definitely go back to sample some of their cocktails. read more

First thing is first! They have renovated the bathrooms! Such a welcomed improvement at LB'S! The interior has a certain old world glamour about it & certainly makes you feel welcome. For smokers, the area has also been extended a little too. I attended LB's last night for an (UYE). Although I am not a Martini drinker, I did enjoy my strong tipple and it went down very very well with the olives :) The bartender definitely know their expertise. Lily Black's is great because it has such a vast range of cocktails to choose from, friendly staff and seating varies from stools around the bar to lounge style seating also. Last nights event had such a wonderful atmosphere with many friendly people from all different backgrounds, so LB's was a perfect venue for the UYE! I enjoyed all of my drinks, the service & the company last night, Located in Meyers place, LB's is an ideal place to meet your friends & then head off for dinner or go out for dinner & then go straight to Lily Blacks! read more

Lily Blacks - I even had a Makers Mark! - Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

See all

Lily Blacks is a treasure of Melbourne. Nestled down Meyers Place off Bourke Street, just look for the glorious fixie (bicycle) hanging above the door. It has all of the charm of a quaint little parlor where you can settle in for a drink, or, what you should be doing, an incredible cocktail. The wine list is impressive but ignore it and grab a menu. If there's a cocktail that grabs your fancy then go for it but also don't hesitate to ask the bar staff for their opinion. They definitely know what they're doing. Their selection of different types of bitters is where it's at. I'm partial to an Old Fashioned myself but with the selection there, you're able to turn the simplest Old Fashioned into about 60 different drinks. Try them all! read more

If you're after a cocktail in Melbourne and don't want to stress too much about hidden doorways, insane prices or snobby bartenders, then Lily Blacks is the way to go. Classy but relaxed, very talented and helpful bartenders and a great offering of classic and modern cocktails. Meyers Place has become a pretty happening laneway these days, and rightly so. Lily Blacks is easily accessible, there's plenty of room, and has deservingly become one of my go-to drinking spots. read more

Oh lily blacks, you are my late night rescue, when looking for a decent drink and a great casual vibe Lilys is impossible to beat. Check out their pickle back menu and back it up with a beer and relax to some rad tunes. Also the staff are all pretty rad and really friendly. read more

Stumbled upon an all-out raucous bartending competition last Sunday evening. Crowd was loads of fun. DJ was on fire - great music. Lighting is great, ample seating. read more

Consistently excellent, Lily Blacks always sends me out the door WAY drunker than when I walked in - last night was no exception. Their cocktail menu is comprehensive and has old favourites and some quirky signature drinks too. Staff really know their stuff and if the handy quick reference menu guide to each drink doesn't point you in the right direction, the staff sure will. I love watching them carve a piece of ice from their 'iceberg' that sits on the bar to concoct my drink. read more

Fighting abuse from a flannel wearing hobo, I was led up a laneway to be greeted warmly by Lily Blacks on a rainy Melbourne eve. Stares from the hovering hipsters drinking cocktails from the mismatched glasses you'll find here is just all part of the immense charm of the place. We were greeted by a bar tender Ben who I'll say might be the only person in a bow tie I'm going to trust. My friend and a cocktail queen (trust me, she'll never recommend you a drink you won't like) suggested I order a 21st Century. No regret. Your cocktail is served with a side of mixology history - Ben was able to tell us all sorts of information - all of which could be his creative license but isn't that the sign of a good bar keep? Lily Blacks speaks for itself. Next time you're in Melbourne, don't fight it, go and sip the sweet libations of this laneway love. read more

I have a confession to make: I've been avoiding Lily Blacks. In light of all of the positive reviews, you must be thinking I'm insane...but I have a reason: I was afraid that I'd like it so much that the fact that it's stumbling distance from my front door would lead to serious medical, and financial, consequences. But last night my wife comes home from work relatively early and suggests we grab a cocktail at Lily Blacks. It took me a few moments to process this. First, she was home early (always a plus) and second, she was suggesting cocktails on a school-night. Once the shock wore off, we walked the few metres necessary to enter the (THANKFULLY AIR-CONDITIONED) premises. It was 37C out, humid, muggy, and, honestly, the deal breaker for whether or not we'd have a drink was their airco. They keep their front windows open, so, I was concerned we'd be doomed inside. Not so. Instead we got there before "the rush" (and make no bones about it, there is one, this place can get packed) - had our pick of seats, and had two spectacular cocktails (each). Three were off the menu (mine, plus one of the ones my wife had) - the fourth was my wife's favourite cocktail which we had them custom make. They did a spectacular job, and the fact that they were willing to play along and make something we'd hopefully like was a big plus. It's obvious I'll return. Indeed, I can leave work in a few hours and they ARE on my way home....it'd almost be rude not to pop in, right? (Fifth star held back purely because I need to get a sense of consistency when visiting somewhere new. If they impress me a second/third time, it'll be a no-brainer). read more

A bar I have known about for some time, but have been very slow on the uptake of entering. Its' there in the class of higher echelons of good bars, its nary that the guys behind the bar will make a wrong move with drinks. In fact its one where you can ask complex and specific questions about potential cocktails. After sampling some great custom made creations, it becomes apparent that these guys almost have a degree in alcohol chemistry. They always get in right. ordering via the menu or specials board is good fun, but never be afraid to be adventurous and exercise some creative and collaborative thinking in seemingly endless ways to come up with some crafty and suspiciously too tasty cocktails. I'm sure that hardly any one would concur with this, but for some reason, I have envisaged this bar being completely tilled wall to floor, a few minor adjustments, and being called the "mad house" a concept that would suit the space well. This however, would probably destroy the credibility of such a venue. its a great place. It is however, a little dangerous if you like premium quality alcohols- they have a very big family here of aforementioned imbibing juice, and they're all far too tempting too pass up. This means, ultimately that you have to stick to a few favorites. Hard choices have to be made- something will get left out. read more

Lily Blacks is a dangerous magnet that I cannot help gravitating to whenever I am in the area. My favourite negroni spot in town: go the west winds cutlass and antico formula. If you, like me like a snack with your drink do ask about their picklebacks, a pickle, or a pickled onion with a shot of your favourite. Delicious! read more

This place was a great for drinks before dinner - on the expensive side but well worth it. Try the Fig Jam Cocktail - definitely the best thing on the menu! So good we had to go back for seconds! read more

Lily Blacks - The menu - Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

See all

This has become my favourite place for Friday night drinks, the drinks before meeting people elsewhere, or wanting to have a quiet cocktail or two with my main drinking companion (read: date night) because I've never, ever seen it packed. To some, that's a bit of a "smoke = fire" situation, but I've only had great drinks with great service and always somewhere to sit at Lily Blacks. It also has good proximity to a number of different places to eat nearby! read more

In a time gone by, i worked as a chef in a CBD restaurant which meant, among other things, two important things. One, I was frequently in the city late at night; and two, i was a borderline alcoholic in desperate need of satisfaction. There was a specific method to the madness of getting off chops after work though, because even the most depraved drinker likes to gather a band of good-lookin hospo hipsters along the way to getting pole-axed. Or maybe it's just me? Just me then. In any case, I'd typically start out by joining the kids at Hairy Canary for their knock offs, after which we'd move onto Gin Palace, along with the rest of the Melbourne hospo scene. It was on one of these drunken trans-venue treks that we got horribly lost and serendipitously came across Meyers lane (we were HORRIBLY lost) and the little gem known as Lily Blacks. This was 2008. It was a different time: before the GEC, before anyone had heard of Justin Bieber (was he even born then?), before the Killers released Day and Age (some will say it was a BETTER time). But after a few years of almost forgetting this place existed, I returned last night to find that Lily has lost none of her gilding. Our group had booked a table and regrettably got shafted with an un-vibing corner spot, but other than that it's hard to find anything to complain about. Even in the middle of a busy Friday night, the staff are chipper as fuck, although they did little to assist us in coming to a resolution to our argument over whether it's called a Jamelico or Franjamison. Too busy slicing and dicing the iceberg that takes the place of a traditional ice machine, adding to the quaint 1920s charm. The espresso martini is flavourgasmic, and serving anything in an art-deco goblet always wins my favour. Oh, and beer on tap, always a plus, and they do have some nice obscure ones. So obscure i forget the names. That might also be owing to the fact that i drank like six Jamelicos in under an hour. (The fact that they kept serving me only demonstrates their resilience to idiocy and I for one commend them for it.) Entertainment-wise, there are enough hipsters about to keep you enthusiastically hating the world for hours at a time. Or maybe you'd prefer to have an awkward (but not necessarily unpleasant) encounter with a fellow smoker in the very narrow nicotine garden (ok its just a terrace kinda thing) [EDIT: smoking area is no longer there]. If I was awarding points based solely on the amount of Fleetwood Mac that a place pumped out, Lily Blacks would still be scoring megapoints. It's enough to make you seriously consider the other dudes in your ex boyfriend's band. Except that one who looks like a muppet. But then again this is a classy kinda place... Ambience plus, get into it. read more

Great cocktails, they have a good selection of Rum's and know exactly what to do with them. Apart from the great selection of alcohol and cool vibe of the bar, the staff also tops this place off by being excellent at their job. read more

We had amazing cocktails and such lovely service. They only serve one dish, so not the place for a drink and a bite. But I would highly recommended it for the drinks and atmosphere! read more

I used to love this place, the apple crumble cocktail was the best thing you could try...it is no longer there. I had a drop of scotch (which was delicious) but set me back $20. read more

I was really looking forward to the 'Lily Blacks' experience after reading so much about the place, The atmosphere was really nice especially on a quiet Thurs night. The cocktail menu was impressive. The major let down of the night was the inattentive bar staff that made us feel as if we were a hassle & they were more interested in talking to their mates drinking beers at the bar. read more

Lily Blacks is one of my favourite bars in Melbourne. It has an extensive wine list and serves up some killer cocktails. But I'd have to say that my favourite aspect of Lily Blacks is the atmosphere. It's dark, but cosy with candlelight, and with lush red booths lining the perimeter of the room, it's a really nice place to have some relaxing drinks with friends. When ordering cocktails, ask the barmen to suggest what's best. They really know what they're doing, and I've never been disappointed. read more

Considering we were supposed to be on a beer bar tour, this place was a little bit of a disappointment. It is surely a cocktail bar. That being said, I had a very nice tequila here that the bartender paired with a bottled beer at a discounted price. The drinks were expensive ~$20, but pretty tasty. read more

From the moment you enter, passing under the ironic bicycle* into the gloom, Lily Blacks feels like it's trying to capture a bygone era of smoking jackets and long, intimate stares over a glass of forbidden gin. Maybe the bike is because, inside, cars haven't been invented yet? No, I still don't understand why it's there. It's aiming at a mid-twenties crowd, with mid-priced drinks and late late opening hours every day of the week. I do so hope the artists come out to play in the wee hours, but unfortunately I turn into a pumpkin after midnight on a weeknight so I haven't seen them yet. True to the name, the lighting is dark and there is a lot of black. Seating runs around the edge of the wall, so the centre bar is always the focal point, as it should be. This is as much a place for a group to catch up for drinks as for a couple to slip into a corner and whisper in each others ears. I like it, I must say. The good-looking staff have clearly been instructed to be as high-end as possible, and will sneer at any request beneath their lofty standards. This is a shame, because the drinks are very reasonably priced, and the cocktail specials board always has something delicious to sip while looking as sultry as possible. *I'm calling it ironic, because I can't see any other reason to have it, and, hey, this is the age of the hipster. Everything is ironic) read more

Lily Blacks - Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Came on reco from fellow Elite Yelper Elizabeth Liu. Lily Blacks is quietly tucked away in this little alleyway next to a carpark stack. Gorgeous decor, super chill and good looking guys behind the bars *wink*. Lost a star because my friend and I stood around for a good 5 min before anyone paid us any mind....maybe if I was taller and blonde...? Well, that aside, drinks were delicious and my friend and I had a fabulous time. Will definitely come back armed with taller, louder, more demanding friends. read more