The Best Happy Hours in Melbourne
You’re either finishing work or starting your night, and you’re on the hunt for a refreshing drink. But more than that, you need a deal. But where to get one? In the interests of living well in these uncertain times, we’ve made a list of our favourite happy hours in Melbourne. From glasses of wine we actually want to drink, to cocktails that won’t burn your wallet, there’s plenty of value to be had out there. You just have to know where to look.
Restaurant
Mesa Verde
A climb up the Curtin House stairs is worth it for the $10 Margarita waiting at the top. Order snacks from 4pm or from the full a la carte menu after 5pm. Tue to Sat, 4pm–6pm.
Restaurant
Half Moon
This two-level Brighton spot is like a playground for adults, especially during happy hour. Pull up for $5 Carlton Draught pots, house wines or $8 Tanqueray gin. Mon to Fri, 4pm–6pm.
Restaurant
Hotel Jesus
Inspired by the taquerias and tosaderias of ’70s Mexico, Hotel Jesus is a fun spot for a knock-off or pre-game drink. Sangria, frozen Margaritas, Palomas, house wines and tap beers are all $10. Tue to Sat, 4pm–6pm.
Bar
Union Electric Bar
This cocktail and rooftop bar – hidden in a laneway behind a moss-green door – is worth seeking out at aperitivo hour. Find $10 Aperol Spritzes, $8 G&Ts, Them Apples cocktails and XXXX Gold. For a non-alc option, there’s a $6 Crodino Spritz. Mon to Fri, 5pm–7pm.
Bar
Lay Low Bar
Finding this spot can be a bit of mission, but if you do it at the right time you’ll be rewarded with a $15 cocktail. Discounts apply to both on- and off-menu options to make sure you get that perfect sip. Thu to Sun, 5pm–6pm.
Bar
The Rochey
There’s plenty of choice at the Rochey’s wallet-friendly happy hour. Pull up a bar stool for $14 cocktails (Espresso Martinis, Long Island Iced Teas or Margaritas), $8 pints of lager or cider, and $8 house wines. There are $3 oysters, too. Wed to Sun, 4pm–7pm.
Bar
Windsor Castle Hotel
Look for the lime-green facade and cinder elephants to find this quirky Windsor spot. The fun continues at its rooftop and beer garden, with $4 pots, $8 pints, $6.50 wines and $16 jugs. Tue to Fri 3pm–6pm.
Bar
Good Liquor and Wine
As the name suggests, the folks at this Fitzroy bottle-o and bar have a taste for funky-flavoured beers, wines and spirits. Get your mitts around them for just $7 at its daily happy hour. Mon to Sun 4pm–6pm.
Bar
Good Heavens
There’s plenty of weekly specials at this buzzy CBD rooftop bar, which always seems to attract a crowd. It’s got 400 seats for punters seeking a knock off, so you won’t miss out on a $10 pint or $8 wine. Mon to Fri 3pm–6pm.
Bar
Naked For Satan
A fixture of Fitzroy’s bar scene, Naked for Satan has earned its stripes for its affordable drinks, Basque-style snacks and fun vibe. Soak it up on the rooftop with specials like $16 Negronis, $8 pints and house wines, and $27 sangria jugs (conditions apply). Mon–Fri 4pm–6pm, sangria jugs available Mon to Sat 4pm–7pm.
Bar
The Green Man’s Arms
The front bar at this all-vegetarian pub is well stocked with beers and ciders by local breweries. A pot of either will set you back $4.50, while a glass of house wine or bubbles is $7. Jugs are also available for $18. Mon to Fri 4pm–6pm.
Bar
Amarillo
Simple yet stylish, this light-filled cocktail bar offers daily drink specials. House white and red is $10 a glass, Aperol Spritzes and Spagliatos are $14, and Negronis are $16. There are also $8 pints of Moon Dog. Mon to Fri 4pm–7pm, Sat & Sun 2pm–7pm.
Bar
Lulie Tavern
Complete with a pool table and BYO records, this dog-friendly bar has warm, laid-back vibes for the perfect afternoon drink. Schooners of beer, ciders and seltzer are just $6, while Espresso Martinis are shaken for just $10. Mon to Sun 4pm–7pm.
Bar
Goldy’s Tavern
With its old-school ’70s charm, cosy front bar and board games, Goldy’s wants you to feel like you’re in your best friend’s living room. It offers weekday mates rates with $4 pots, $8 pints and house wings, and $16 jugs. Plus, free pool for making new mates. Mon to Fri 3pm–6pm.
Bar
The Gem Bar and Dining
You don’t need to drain your wallet to enjoy a drink at The Gem’s rockabilly-themed front bar. Pints of house lager are $8 and Coopers jugs are $15, or opt for a $12 Margarita. There’s also discounted tacos and wings. Mon to Fri 12pm–6pm.
Bar
Silverlake Social
Chapel Street’s American-themed bar is pouring out $10 pints, wines, spirits and shooters daily. A Negroni, Margarita or Old Fashioned is just $15. Plus, fill up on $12 classic nachos. Mon to Fri 5pm–7pm, Sat & Sun 12pm–2pm.
Bar
Victoria Hotel Footscray
This slick yet homey pub swells with pride and punters during footy season, but it’s worth your time during the off months, too. On weekdays, join the locals up at the bar for $5 pots, $10 pints and $8 house wines. Mon to Fri, 3pm–5.30pm.
Restaurant
The Banff Cafe
This all-day cafe resembling a Canadian ski lodge has been keeping punters cosy since 1942. These days two daily happy hours make it easy to lose a few hours here. There are $5.50 pots, $15.50 jugs of tap beer, $6.50 glasses of house wine, $13 cocktails and more. Mon to Sun, 3pm–6pm, 9pm–10pm.
Bar
The Station Hotel
One of the best pubs in the west, The Station is known for its quality steaks. But it’s also worth getting a cut of its weekday drink specials. Swing by for $8 schooners of Carlton Draught, $8 glasses of house wine and $8 spirits. Mon to Fri, 3pm–5pm.
Bar
Hardimans Hotel
This art deco boozer has everything you need for a happy hour: a bustling front bar, a leafy courtyard and TVs streaming games most nights. Grab a discounted beer, wine or spirit at the bar and claim your spot in the beer garden. Mon to Fri, 4pm–7pm.
Bar
The Cheeky Pint
At the right time of day, a pint here is cheekily cheap for these times. Head to this micro-brewery and pub, grab a spot under the beer chandelier and order a $9 pint of beer or glass of house wine. Mon to Fri, 4pm–6pm.
Bar
Bud of Love
This petite, family-run wine bar straddles the community feel of old Footscray and the newer wave of trendy boozers. Come around golden hour for $12 cocktails and board games at the communal table. As the hunger pangs set in, you can order in food from nearby. Fri to Sun, 4pm–6pm.
Bar
Ramblers Ale Works
During the week, $10 will get you a pint at this craft brewery and tap room in Hawthorn. But if none of its 12 house-made brews appeal, opt for a $10 glass of house wine or $15 cocktail. Tue to Thu, 4pm–6pm.
Bar
Young Hearts
No two nights are the same at this airy warehouse, which has late-night DJs and rotating artist residences. One thing that’s consistent is its weekday happy hour and a half with $15 cocktails and $8 beer, wine and house spirits. Wed to Fri, 5pm–6.30pm.
Restaurant
Baby Pizza
If you’re after Italian holiday fun and spritzes in the sun, head here in the late afternoons. From March 8, there’ll be $9.50 Sbagliato Rosa and Aperol Spritz, alongside $6.50 Peroni Reds. Plus, well-priced snack plates, including parmesan-crusted polenta chips with aioli. Mon to Sun, 4pm–6pm.
Restaurant
Prince Alfred Hotel Richmond
There’s always plenty of action in the Prince’s grand front bar. But it’s the breezy, shaded beer garden that really commands the crowds. Get down at the right time on weekdays for $10 pints, $8 house wines and more. Mon to Fri, 4pm–6pm.
Restaurant
Mount Erica Hotel
Step into this classic corner hotel (by the Marquis of Lorne crew) for a little Wes Anderson energy. Settle inside or head to the beer garden for its winning weekday special: half a dozen oysters and a glass of bubbles for $22. Mon to Fri, 4pm–6pm.
Restaurant
Lucky Coq
Whether you’re a part of the student crowd or just surviving cozzie livs, Lucky Coq’s $5 pizzas are a tough act to beat (12pm onwards from Wednesday to Sunday). They taste even better when paired with a $6 schooner, house wine or basic spirit during happy hour. Wed to Fri, 4pm–7pm.
Bar
The Park Werribee
A few steps from Werribee Station, The Park is an ideal spot to wind down with locals. Around knock-off time on Fridays, the ambience gets a boost with happy hour, when certain house reds and some schooners go on pour for $6 a glass. Fri, 4pm–6pm.
Bar
Auburn Hotel
This historic neighbourhood spot has room for 230 punters, who make the most of its retractable roof and beer garden. The vibes dial up near the end of the week, when the $12 Espresso Martinis and $10 Furphy pints come out. Thu & Fri, 4pm–6pm.
Restaurant
Beverly
At 24 storeys high, this spot boasts some of the finest views of Melbourne, extending from the CBD as far as the Dandenong Ranges. At the right time of day, you can soak it up with discounted cocktails, snacks and free sunsets. Duck sliders and a dirty Martini? Tick. Mon–Thur, 4pm–6pm.
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