- very young - crowded - fast bartenders - great music that night they were playing American hip hop - you feel like you're on the scene, just by being there read more

Unique place. The bartender was helpful with recommendations. A woman who worked there was sitting at the long table I sat at. She offered to take my picture and gave me some ideas of things to do in the area. When you're there, be sure to look around at the art. I missed one of the coolest paintings until I overheard a walking tour point it out. read more

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Nice music, and atmosphere, love it ! From young earlies twenties to middle edge, one of the coolest bar in town, not so big, quite warm mindset. It is the place to go for the music. read more

Section 8 - Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Great! After many years of visiting here I have yet to be disappointed. We got over the potential threatening Fiasco that one day it may be forced to close forever. This bar was hip even before "Hipsters" were invented. So yes, now it is extremely popular, and nearly always packed to absolute capacity. It's a great concept delivered well. Bar staff are ever changing, and while it is common to have a bit of a wait when ordering drinks, they are quite good at Fielding requests and on occasion some quick dialogue. I have had many a good time here; including one time when I swapped cigarettes for sausages, during a sausage sizzle. They have many other great going's too. Saturday afternoon art classes, and something to do with foot long hot dogs at some point on a Friday- from memory at least. No doubt they have other and more adventurous events. It's the outdoor shipping container bar that I can rightly imagine- EVERY ONE in Melbourne has been to. It's excessively and screamingly popular. Yes, long lines (at times) and a challenge to find a seat, the drinks are at standard prices; Melbourne is incredulously expensive mind you. A no fuss easy going bar that has more than one thing going for it, (aka live DJ's with actual turntables and a full setup.) There are many. Good drinks too. read more

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Section 8 is a buzzy little establishment, emblematic of our generations struggle with poverty and the working class. Not really though. Not actually at all. It's just a cool little laneway bar full of wooden crates. They offer a couple of chill bar snacks - chilli dogs and burgers, and a selection of local beers. Most importantly though, they have tallies, which is a massive plus in my book. I've not tried the food but I've heard some great things about it. They play some chill tunes and it's always real busy, so be prepared to maybe stand up all night. It's also cash only so make sure you swing by an ATM on your way there. read more

Section 8 - Chilli dog and cheese toast - Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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Epic urban Melbourne laneway bar. Graffiti covered walls and cool vines make this a must see place, was so impressed I even wrote a blog on it https://socialeventsmelbourne.com.au/section-8/ read more

Rumour has it that this place was set up as a temporary bar while a small plot of land lay bare in the centre of Melbourne ready for development into a high rise building. If this is true then we probably have the Global Financial Crisis to thank for its prolonged existence. And there is a lot to be thankful for. Section 8 is not only an iconic bar in the Melbourne CBD but a great hang out. Section 8 is a concept bar set out in a small concrete 'car-park' with the bar and toilet facilities made out of shipping containers. The price of drinks are reasonable and the music played by professional DJ's is usually pretty good. In fact it is not uncommon for international DJ's (such as Toki Monster, Andy C and the guys from Pendulum) to drop by to do an impromptu 'unannounced' set. This however, is not the best thing about Section 8. The thing that I particularly like is the relaxed atmosphere that almost reflects a house party. read more

Section 8 - Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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A funky bar that was setup on a parking lot. They plonked a couple of shipping containers in one corner, laid down some crates in another and voilà. They now have one of the hottest bars in Melbourne. The people who work here are super cool and nice. But I think what makes this place so attractive is that it feels like you're having an impromptu party in a street (well, laneway) in the middle of the city and for some reason that's completely fine, and legal. However, in summer it feels like you're sweating away in some exotic Asian location (well, it is just off Chinatown after all). read more

Section 8 - Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Went here for a few drinks before dinner last night. It's a grungy little outdoor bar that I'd liken to some sort of cattle waiting pen. This sounds like a bad thing, but once you're in the caged off area, have a drink in your hands and the loud music is going, it isn't so bad. We had Kelly Brothers ciders for $9 each, not bad. Section 8 is very indie, graffiti artwork, shopping carts and animal statues surround you. I'm deducting stars as it's a bit hard to fully relax with a bevie when you're surrounded by smokers and you're sitting on uneven hard benches that will make your bum go numb if you stay too long. Good for one or two drinks before going somewhere else :) read more

These guys know how to put on a laneway party! Came here during Melbourne Music week and the vibe was just electric! The DJ's spun some amazing mixes that got us moving, trap/breakbeats/hip hop - whatever the genre, it was tight, and there were live MC's rapping the night away. People were getting really into the music which was great to see. There was also a fire performance on the roof which was umm..intriguing! The bouncer checking ID's needs more people skills but otherwise, crowd control was ok. Whether they are are hosting an event, bloc party or keeping calm, this outdoor shipping container bar is simply a unique venue that I like to introduce out-of-towners to (only when there's good weather of course lol) as it's chill, there's tons of graffiti art to admire, no dress code, no entry fee and great beats! read more

Section 8 - The bar - Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

This bar is where it's at. Probably my favorite in all of Melbourne. There's always catchy music, a fun vibe, cool boxes to sit on, and laidback people. Hub of the hipsters. Cheap drinks. Free to get in, but bar is cash only. It's grungy and hidden in an alley, but hard to miss. Just go. read more

The best way to describe Section 8 is as a grungy container bar down a side street. Pallets for seats etc. Great DJ putting in some serious hard work with the genuine 7" vinyl. Decent beers and cocktail list. Cash only bar. read more

Section 8 - Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Section 8 is the cool bar version of Girls Aloud's artfully dilapidated 'Sound of the Underground' music video, all loveworn exposed brick walls, dangerous looking wire fences and urban ghetto feel. But without the crop tops. Section 8's clientele is way too classy for those. It's also a pretty awesome bar with a laid back NYC vibe, reasonably priced drinks, world renowned DJs and a can't-quite-put-your-finger on it specialness that is incredibly hard to emulate. Section 8 was one of the first Melbourne bars I visited and it wouldn't be an overstatement to say it's spoiled me in a way. I now expect every Melbourne watering hole to be similarly effortlessly cool, similarly relaxed and similarly unpretentious. They ain't. Also known as 'The Container Bar' owing to its less than glamorous beginnings, section bar is a wee Melbourne gem and I can barely contain - sorry - myself from giving it a very well deserved five star rating. read more

Section 8 - Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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Not to denigrate the current version of the bar, but I actually miss how Section 8 used to be. Back when you weren't sure it wasn't an illegal squat, or a temporary stopgap, or what. Back when it really was just a shipping container in a vacant lot. It's probably nicer now, if not as much to my tastes. They've added in some seats, some gasheaters, some murals on the walls of the buildings which border the lot. They've got a sign, too, which I don't remember from the early days. Honestly though, I think it's still the chainlink fence on the border of the lot which makes it work, which gives it the almost-too-hip vibe which justifies the obscure beer choices. read more

Section 8 - Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

This ca$h only bar in a lot by Chinatown CBD was lit. Good vibes and fresh DJ beats made it very enjoyable. It was a cool night out which made the outdoor space even better. Though that means smokers puff freely. read more

This place makes for a great Melbourne venue. However, you do need to choose the right time to visit. When first opened the randomness of its location and the haphazard feel made it a popular venue (coz all melbourne folk love to feel as though we've found the new "it bar" down a dodge side street. The great relaxed service added to the hype which resulted in the packed crowds we see today. For me the "no tie" policy is a bit OTT (I don't usually were one but if I've gone to the trouble of perfecting the double Windsor I'm keeping it on!). Great location for a drink after a quick bit in china town but beware... This place gets VERY busy. Don't be fooled by the "cheap and cheerful" look. Drinks are not! read more

Do you remember that movie where the aliens were corralled behind a chain link fence left to practically starve-- section 8 embodies that plus a dystopian zombie future all in one. You sit amongst crates and beer kegs, with makeshift tables and down a secured alley in the CBD. I went during the day, so I'm sure I didn't get the full ambience, but in any event it was memorable and fun. The drinks, like all alcohol in Australia, were surprisingly expensive. The horn of plenty was delicious, with no alcohol flavor, so I hope there was enough booze in that large 1/2 gallon mason jar to warrant the $28 price tag. Come here and share it with a friend. read more

Section 8 - Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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Section 8 was one of the first bars I was taken to when visiting Melbourne, and now I always bring out of towners here for a taste of what this city is all about... dodgy, ramshackle setups with excellent DJs, public art and an eclectic mix of folks. All that said, I definitely prefer this spot as a starting point for a night out - it gets loud and packed as hell as the night goes on, which is fine, but finding a pallet to sit on gets tough. It's also great for weekend afternoon day drinking, especially in spring or summer (though in winter they do mulled wine, which is never something to complain about). read more

I've always known Section 8 as the "container bar next to that dumpling place in Chinatown". The place seems like a popular Friday night drink spot among CBD office folk and can get pretty loud/crowded. It's a nice spot for a few beers in the sun on a summer afternoon. They've got some pretty decent ones on offer - Schofferhofer, Mountain Goat, Holgate.. And since it's right in the middle of Chinatown, you won't have to stumble very far to get your hands on some dumplings to soak up the alcohol. read more

Outside bunker turned bar! With a real grunge and drinks served outside of a bunker looking trailer! This places is a hipster of hipster bars! Laid back vibe, nice crowd and LOUD music! Plays lots of hip hop! Has decent drink prices and a chilled environment! read more

Two words: Never again. But, I should provide some context to that. And if you've read my reviews, you know I'm rarely short for a word or two of context. It's in the mid 30's here in Melbourne today. I like airco. I don't like non-airco. Section 8 is outdoors. Nestled somewhat in a corner. No air flow. Hot. I was there to meet some friends and it was relatively empty, but, EVERY angle was filled with smokers. I hate smokers. I hate smoke. I don't want it near me, and it ruins my night out. There was nowhere to go, nowhere to hide. As it got busier, another one of the cancer cretins sat down next to me, dangling his foul fuming fingers away from himself, but directly next to me. You know where the smoke went... At least there was pleasant background music. Oh, no, no there wasn't. There was atrocious I-don't-know-what. It was loud, it was obnoxious, and you couldn't actually have a conversation with someone less than a metre from you. The staff seemed tolerable, knowledgeable even, but nope, this is 100% my idea of the Wrong Thing. The only thing that would have made it worse? Children. I despise them more than smokers. So, if you're looking for a quick drink, and it's empty, and you're a non-smoker, go for it. If you're there to meet with others, find somewhere else, there are lots of somewhere elses in Melbourne! read more

A somewhat random pop-up bar using a shipping container and a pile of old palettes. Tucked in a back street, this place seems to be on some walking tours, as whilst I was there 2 groups passed by looking at both the bar and the huge mural on the adjacent building. Different beer choices, though not as cheap as the surroundings might lead you to think it might be. A fun way to pass an hour on a warm summer afternoon. Decent wifi too!! read more

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Quirky little laneway bar which i have been going to since i first arrived in melbourne in 2012. Every time i go in i feel as though theres been a change. Winter nights the mulled wine is a must, lazy Sundays with wicked djs and dance battles who can fault it. If you want to experience Melbourne, this funky car park bar is it. read more

Section 8 - Kicking back and enjoying the good tunes. - Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Section 8 is one of those bars that's always been on my list but which I've never actually got around to trying.... until Sunday night. I can now mark it off my list but it hasn't seen the last of me because I'll definitely be going back! I love how the bar's actually set up inside a container and so are the toilets. It's a great spot, very hispter, loud upbeat tunes, crates acting as your makeshift tables and chairs and affordable drinks. Be sure to bring plenty of cash however guys as they don't take plastic. I took a couple of mates, who were down from Brissie, there after dinner in Chinatown and they loved it. read more

Although drinking in an old shipping container and sitting on milk crates may not be everyone's idea of a great inner city bar Section 8 really is worth a night out. It has a surprisingly relaxed atmosphere and the bar staff are usually friendly. They play a strange mix of interpretative dance music and classic indie tunes. A word to the wise, the bathrooms are gross. This place is so packed in the summertime that you cannot move and the line to get in can take ages so my review is based on a nice and warm autumn night (in my experience the best time for section 8) read more

Not being from Melbourne we had no idea where the best places for New Years Eve celebrations were. After going to some bars and walking through all the festivities on the streets of Melbourne, we realized it was getting close to midnight so should settle on a place quickly! We heard some awesome music coming from an alley way and then found this place. It looks like it was in a bar set up in a carpark, caged up with sea containers all around a dance floor with an awesome DJ. So glad we settled on this place to bring in the New Year, lots of dancing and drinking ;) read more

Section 8 is always a winner! Even when it's so packed you can't sit, it's one of the few places that I just don't care, it's still worth it! Have a dance to the awesome DJs whilst swigging a long next of coopers pale...yes please! Constantly changing street art murals always make for good conversation, there's wide variety of DJs on often, and general great vibes no matter what the weather. read more

I'm not quite sure about Section 8. Sure, it is a very cool concept - a bar in a caravan, crates for seats and that hidden laneway vibe. I only wish they could splash out a bit on the interior considering the drinks are so damn expensive. $12 for a longneck of Coopers? SERIOUSLY? This is a gorgeous spot on a hot summers day but be warned, this is no longer a 'secret' bar, expect to stand or intimidate people until they give up their seat. Look, take your inter-state mates or send tourists here because they are sure to love it, but if you are a Melburnian you should know better! There are so many other gorgeous bars with more affordable drinks and less pretentious staff. $12 for a longneck!? read more

Decent place to go in the summer, though I thought it was a bit over hyped. That said, if it's a nice warm evening and you're in that neck of the woods, it's definitely worth checking out. It does tend to get super crowded (and loud!) though, so if you're looking for something a bit more chill then this is probably not the place for you. read more

Cool vibes, great live music, good outdoor atmosphere, and delicious cocktails. Staff are super friendly too. Definitely my fav bar in Melbourne for a fun night out. read more

Not being from Melbourne I thought this place was really cool ! It had a really chill vibe, with people scattered on wooden carton stacks around the DJ. My boyfriend and I were bar hopping this night and kicked off our night here with two vodka red bulls (he copied me). They were your standard drinks, so this review is essentially on the atmosphere and the concept of this bar. The graffiti and shipping container environment is unique and different. The dj pumped out some great beats that fit in really well with the atmosphere. Definitely a great place to chill out after a gruelling week at work for some drinks! read more

Shipping container bar! Shipping container bar! My best friend loves this place and always makes me take her when she comes to visit. The lowdown (in case I wasn't obvious): it is a bar in a shipping container. Parked in a space between two buildings, with seating made out of pallets, the booze stored in boxes an arms reach from said seats, this place feels like there was some kind of accident and out popped a bar. Maybe we're looking into an apocalyptic vision of the future where the world is a big ol' junkyard. Or maybe I'm just being poncy and it's just a cool place to hang. On the grog side of things there's nothing on tap, but they make a mean Long Island Iced Tea (in a teapot!) that's well worth a try. My favourite thing about this place is the staff, possibly the friendliest bunch I've come across. When a girl lost her lipstick, THEY PULLED APART THE WALLS to find it. Even the bouncers are lovely, so if you're going to go here, don't be a tool and ruin it for the rest of us. Please. read more

Section 8 - Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Cool bar. It's effectively outdoors, as the shambolic roof frame, with only occasional flat covering pieces and a few umbrellas stuck above, let both diffuse sunlight and night air through. The walls are wire fence. The bar is carved out of an old shipping container. It's a busy, bustling back-alley bar, tucked away in Melbourne's Chinatown. There's a good variety of mixed drinks and bottled beers. And I liked it a lot. It's so dimly lit it's hard to see people, the music's pretty loud, and it's hard to get a seat. But it's grubby and rough and there's no cover charge and the drinks are reasonably priced. It's a good hanging-out bar. read more

This is what a bar should be! Hidden away down a little alley in Chinatown is this gem of a bar. It probably shouldn't exist, there's nothing here - a hut set up as a bar, some seating and table arrangements under a terracing structure, all be hind a metal fence. But it does exist, and it's great. The beers are boutique and the drink selection extensive, as is the way in many Melbourne small bars and the crowd is cool. Very cool. The staff are good at their job, friendly and efficient. A great place to go hang out. read more

Well, if there is a place that defines the Melbourne bar scene, it is Section 8. Mind you, don't expect to come here for a quiet drink, especially a night, because you will be really, really lucky to actually find a place to sit down. I guess being mentioned in the Lonely Planet Guide as a 'must visit' place in Melbourne doesn't help all that much, but then again I am not surprised this place made it there. Still, I love this place, despite the crowds because it is just, well, so unique. The bar is basically a shipping container, and is located hidden in a back alley, though the word hidden is probably not the best word to use because, well, everybody knows about it. Still, it is definitely a place to visit because it is just so unique. read more

I used to love Section 8, it was our go-to place but i think the hype of it all has made Section 8 everyones 'go-to' place which means lines and lots of standing up. We used to be able to come and sit on some of the used-up pallets while enjoying the scenery and awesome beats (seriously, their DJ's play some really funky tunes), but as of late the venue picks up really quick and is packed out by 6pm (after work drinks on a Friday are practically impossible) but come on the weekend and during the day and this venue is a real treat. The staff are happy to help you out if you're undecided on your beverage of the night and make a good cocktail too. This really is a incredible venue and worthwhile coming to visit, just make sure its not on an 'after-work-drinks' night. read more

The last of venues I've been going to in the last 5 years that I hold close to my heart. I have no idea how I found this place but I've never regretted it. Sure, it's changed over the years - become increasingly popular. Still, a great place to meet someone. Music is excellent. Concept is fantastic. The 'Container Bar', as it was first known. Drink selection is well presented. Plenty of fun times. Word of advice. Try going during summer. read more

I love this place, but you have to pick your time, It is much nicer if it is not full, and you can have a seat somewhere near a heater. Try the espresso martini - very good. read more

Cool bar. It's effectively outdoors, as the shambolic roof frame, with only occasional flat covering pieces and a few umbrellas stuck above, let both diffuse sunlight and night air through. The walls are wire fence. The bar is carved out of an old shipping container. It's a busy, bustling back-alley bar, tucked away in Melbourne's Chinatown. There's a good variety of mixed drinks and bottled beers. And I liked it a lot. It's so dimly lit it's hard to see people, the music's pretty loud, and it's hard to get a seat. But it's grubby and rough and there's no cover charge and the drinks are reasonably priced. It's a good hanging-out bar. read more

Great place. Living in Las Vegas, I appreciate they still allow smoking (I do cigars) To all the people complaining about smoke here( it's a outdoor bar with fans), move on to the 1000 bars that do not allow smoking. read more