Best Bars in South Yarra

by Ruby Kraner-Tucci

Updated 1 month ago

During the day, South Yarra’s designer stores, leafy streets and historic mansions bring a sense of quiet luxury to the suburb. But at night, it’s a totally different story. There’s an eclectic line-up of bars here; while quite different from one another, they’re all bona-fide crowd-pleasers. A ’70s-inspired log cabin and bar, a modern Chinese lounge, a speakeasy with a disco bent, and a refined Italian rooftop cocktail bar are just some of the options to choose from.

Looking for something specific?

Leonard’s House of Love
Bar
If you’re really into burgers, tick Leonard’s off the list. This ’70s log cabin-themed burger bar serves some of Melbourne’s best. Expect American-style burger combos centred around beef, chicken, mushroom and vegan pattys. It’s also dog-friendly, so your furry friend might be begging tableside for a bite.
Shadowboxer Bar & Kitchen
Bar
A trio of hospitality lifers is behind this smart wine bar, which is equally good for snacking as a full, sit-down dinner.
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Tetto di Carolina
Bar
Nab a spot on the terrazzo-tiled terrace for grown-up Espresso Martinis and an Italian homage to the KFC Zinger burger. All from the man behind Il Bacaro, Sarti and Bar Carolina.
Omnia
Restaurant
An elegant, produce-driven menu by a former Vue de Monde and Eleven Madison Park chef is the draw at this soaring European bistro on the ground floor of the Capitol Grand building. Plus, there’s a 200-bottle wine list and botanical-heavy cocktails from a former World Class Bartender of the Year.
Talk to Me
Bar
Rockstar impulses and Sydney hospo sensibility collide at this bar/music venue.
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Abacus Bar & Kitchen
Cafe
A lush fig tree takes pride of place in this light-filled dining room. The all-day diner takes you from blue swimmer crab crumpets for breakfast, to slow-cooked beef cheek and Australian wines for dinner.
Two Wrongs
Restaurant
Where fine dining meets a dive bar meets a lounge and it somehow works.
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Backroom
Bar
A dimly lit subterranean bar inside luxury hotel Ovolo. Visit for classic cocktails made exactingly, plus vegetarian bar snacks that lean salty and fried – just what you need with a drink.
Canecutters
Bar
Stop by this dimly lit dive bar for local beers and Guinness on tap, plus American-style bar food. With its neighbourly service, dog-friendly status and creative beer roster, it’ll easily become your local.
Beverly
Restaurant
At 24 storeys high, this bar and diner boasts some of the finest views of Melbourne, extending from the CBD as far as the Dandenong Ranges. The retractable glass rooftop ensures you can enjoy its Cali-cool style and al fresco dining all year round.
Le Splendide
Bar
France-Soir’s Jean-Paul Prunetti doesn’t want you posting pics from inside his wine bar, where top-tier French cuvées, caviar and comté take the spotlight.