Bars
The Gin Palace
Serious cocktail aficionados should check out The Gin Palace 190 Little Collins St; 9654-0533, for a welcome mix of knowledgeable bartenders, funky bordello ambiance and a laid-back crowd.
Tony Starr's Kitten Club
A little more upmarket is Tony Starr's Kitten Club 267 Little Collins Street, tel 9650-2448 which offers a leopard-print throwback to the smooth cats and cool jazz of the 50's. The weekday crowd of funk loving twenty-something professionals sip on a range of cocktails blended and shaken by well-trained and attentive staff. The upstairs performance area hosts local and visiting funk, jazz and cabaret acts.
The Croft Institute
21-25 croft alley, tel 9671-4399 epitomizes the kitschy-hidden-bar trend of the past few years. tucked within the narrowest and smelliest alley in melbourne, this place is somewhat charmingly fitted out like a high school laboratory; complete with beakers, test tubes and retorts. check out the upstairs 'gymnasium' playing house and electro, and the hospital gurney with stirrups on display near the women's toilets.
Arthur's Lounge
corporation lane, tel 9654 9744 is a decadent club / bar with prices and door policies to match. a crowd-friendly mix of house and electronica will keep you going, and the fun-loving but sometimes pretentious patrons are a pleasant mix of funky bohemia, city glamour and party people.
Rue Bebelons
For a taste of Fitzroy in the CBD, drop into the cheerful Rue Bebelons 267 Little Lonsdale Street, tel 9663-1700 for a reasonably priced coffee or beer. The Nepalese family behind the bar mix up great music and a friendly vibe to a crowd of laid back artists and students from nearby universities.
Misty's
3-5 hosier ln, tel 9663 9202 hosts a smiliar crowd, but in slightly cooler retro-sci-fi surrounds. the staff are friendly, live djs spin groovy tunes most nights and it makes a great launching pad for shows at the nearby forum.
The Carlton Club, 193 Bourke St Melbourne. Great late night joint on middle of the day, very functional with heaps of little spaces to get cosy and open areas to get your Sunday on. The rooftop bar in up there with the best in town. A must for people coming to Melbourne.
St Jerome's
7 caledonian lane for unique melbourne sub-culture and street style. closed in late 2008.
Cookie
swanston st between lonsdale and bourke opposite the lounge. excellent bar and cocktails with an upstyle crowd that likes to party hard. has a restaurant upstairs for dinner serving excellent thai inspired meals.
Coffee
Degraves Espresso Bar
23 degraves street, tel 96541245. tucked into a bluestone laneway near flinders st station, this outlet has long-held the title of melbourne's best coffee. hours: monâfri 6:30amâ7:30p, satâsun 7:30am-6:30pm.
Laurent Bakery
306 little collins st, tel 96541011. if parisian pastries and good coffee are what you crave, then head here to a now franchised establishment with well-trained baristas.
The CBD holds some hidden gems as far as coffee is concerned. Once again, Degraves Lane is the most popular destination while those seeking a little bit more style can head to the many malls for their fix.