The Wine Bars, Burger Joints and Bars to Hit Up on Your Next First Date

If you’ve been hitting up the same date spots for awhile now, you might be finding yourself in need of a change. After a bit of time, the dates start to blend into one another if the venue doesn’t change up.

As we head into the new year, here’s how to refresh your tried and tested date spots, with this guide to some of the best date spots in Melbourne. Think of it as your ultimate dating cheat sheet for 2024.

Corner Wine Store

A couple of years ago, one of Carlton North’s best bottle shops also became one of its best wine bars, adding a food menu and the option to have a drink in-store. The key to a first date spot is a venue that gives you options – something casual enough that you can call it a night early if you’re not vibing, but with enough tricks up its sleeve to justify turning one drink into a whole night out. At Corner Wine Store, start off with a drink in-store, then, if things are going well, get a bottle to takeaway – and maybe a snack or two – and find a patch of grass somewhere along the big, lawned thoroughfare of Canning Street.

Dom’s Social Club

At Dom’s, you can do an entire bar crawl within the building. Start off upstairs at the rooftop, then work your way down – have a drink and play a game of pool at the public bar on level two. If things are going well, you can turn the night into a dinner date by stopping at level one for a slice from the pizzeria. Plus, it has great logistics (nothing is more romantic than logistics): you’re next to Melbourne Central station, so everyone will have an easy time getting there, and if you want to prolong the date, you’ll have plenty of CBD bars and restaurants within easy walking distance.

Ponyfish Island

Ponyfish Island might have the most romantic location in Melbourne: on the Yarra, right underneath the central pylon of the Southbank Footbridge. Up until a few years ago, this bridge was famous for being home to around 20,000 “love locks” (padlocks inscribed with the names of loved-up couples from around the world). Unfortunately, this extra love weight was removed after it threatened the bridge’s structural integrity. But you can’t deny that the spot – and therefore Ponyfish Island – must now host a concentrated mass of romantic energy. That means that a date at this bar should have put you in the right spot to have a highly successful night.. And it does great cocktails, too.

Leonard’s House of Love

It’s called a house of love and its slogan is “where love lives”. So, if you’re looking for love, you should probably consider this spot. It’s a South Yarra favourite, with a fun vibe, casual atmosphere and fantastic food (don’t go past the burgers). Be sure to check out the Bumble-themed mural right by the bar – there’s nothing quite like a reminder of how you met when the date is going well.

Bar Bellamy

Bar Bellamy is one of those venues that seamlessly adjusts to whatever vibe you want for the night. Some nights, it feels like a restaurant. On others it can feel like a cocktail spot or a wine bar. And sometimes, it can be all three rolled into one. That versatility is ideal, particularly for a first date. You can have dinner here, almost accidentally, by just enjoying a procession of bistro-esque snacks while you sip on your drinks. It’s casual, but not boring. Considered, but not uptight. And if all goes well, you’re a short walk from Lygon Street, so you can kick on into the night.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Bumble.