This intimate bar is a longstanding favourite among Melbourne’s students and for good reason. Rue Bebelons offers up a cosy atmosphere, old school soul (think Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin) and great, cheap food and drink.

The place is steeped in history. When founding owner, Frenchman Todd Myles, threw all his money into the business he was left with just enough loot for either a record player or a register. He chose the record player and up until a few years ago Rue Bebelons was still using two wooden boxes for all its transactions.

Current owner Aaron Lind has modernised Rue Bebelons in a few ways. The coffee is roasted to order by local Arabica master Josh Bailey. They use a unique blend, perfected over 15 years of trading. The in-house food is simple, cheap and excellent, especially the range of enormous baguettes. You can grab croissants for breakfast, thin-crust pizzas from 4pm and a rotating soup menu (maybe pumpkin chorizo?).

There’s a strong sense of community as well; students gather for regular coffees, while Sunday jam sessions host local bands. To top it off, there are plans in the works for an upstairs beer garden and a new cocktail menu. With its legendary record player still spinning, Rue Bebelons remains a perfect rest stop between lectures.

Rue Bebelons

267 Little Lonsdale Street Melbourne

(03) 9452 0070

Nearby

Food & Drink

Little Hunter

Food & Drink

The Hotel Windsor

Fashion

Paul Smith

Similar

Nightlife

Badger Vs. Hawk

Food & Drink

The Banff Cafe

Food & Drink

Jimmi Jamz