Melbourne Bar Tour with a Twist – Laneways, Rooftops & Stories

Overview

Available languages

English

3 hours

Mobile ticket

Forgot history textbooks and boring guidebooks, we’ll undercover the real characters and hidden history of Melbourne /Naarm (alongside a hidden bar or two!) that have made marvellous Melbourne what it is today. Experience the city’s unique bar scene with a local guide and have a drink at three amazing venues. By the end of this tour, you’ll discover that history really is better with booze (as if there was ever any doubt)!

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Bring card or cash? While most stalls take cards, a few may require a minimum spend — consider carrying some cash.

Rain or shine? This tour runs in all weather — just bring layers and a sense of adventure.

Under 18? This tour is for adults only — guests must be 18 or older to join.

Is the tour accessible? Some areas may have limitations, but we’ll tailor the experience with early communication.

How far do we walk? The tour covers around 1.5 km (0.9 miles), but this may vary based on group interests.

Are drinks included? Drinks aren’t part of the tour price, so you can choose exactly what you’d like to sip at each stop.

Is sustainability important to you? This tour is carbon neutral and run by a certified B Corp committed to responsible travel.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Discover hidden bars, rooftop venues, and speakeasies tucked away in Melbourne’s laneways

Experience a personalized route tailored to group interests

Enjoy engaging storytelling from exceptional guides

Connect with fellow travelers in a relaxed, social small-group setting

Learn about Melbourne’s rich and conflicting history

Because everyone’s drinking preferences and tolerances are different, rather than include drinks, we keep our tour price low and allow you to purchase drinks as you go. Most establishments accept bank cards, but there is occasionally a minimum spend. You may wish to bring cash if you want to avoid this.

Drinks, food

Tips/gratuities for your guide

What To Expect

We begin next to the Sir William Clarke Memorial next to the Old Treasury Building. A symbolic area of Melbourne and home to our Parliament. The order of the venues may change, but together we will visit a variety of our favourite local watering holes, these may include a classic craft beer establishment, a laneway bar, a hidden speakeasy. Everyone has their favourite drink but you’ll be encouraged to try something different on this tour. Many of Melbourne’s most popular bars are in tiny, hidden laneways and survive on word of mouth alone. Melbourne’s bar scene is ever-changing, so one of the bars will be chosen by your guide on the day, depending on the group’s desires, the weather, and what is trending in Melbourne at the time. If you’re still thirsty by the end of the tour, don’t forget to ask your local guide for some more recommendations, so you won’t have to worry about a dry mouth for the rest of your stay in Melbourne.

45 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Depending on the weather, your drinking preferences and what's open on the day, your guide will choose 3 amazing bars to take you to. One of our favourites is a hidden Cocktail bar behind an historic church

45 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Afternoon in Melbourne: Booze and History Tour

Reviews

4.86

81 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Fin
jodiew429,
Oct 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our tour guide Anna was super friendly & very informative. We really enjoyed the walking tour & the 3 great bars that we would not necessarily have found on our own. She gave us a good mix of Melbourne history & culture which made for a fun afternoon.
Tristan was extremely knowledgeable about Melbourne and it's history which was fascinating. Really great tour and thoroughly rec
Karen B,
Oct 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Really enjoyed learning about Melbourne and it's interesting history. Great group of people to do the tour with. Great
Hidden Gems - You Will Be Glad You Did This Tour!
Michel H,
Oct 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
We loved the tour and its flexibility to the group and their personal preferences. We visited hidden gems and places we probably would have missed if not for this tour! The bars were fabulous and all with a different but great vibe. Our guide provided interesting historical information about Melbourne and kept it very interesting.
Informative tour, learning stories from Melbourne
Mshee93,
Sep 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Tristan was a great guide with lots of different stories from people in Melbourne. Was great to see a different side of the city and visit some bars that I probably would have overlooked.
Book this tour!
carleyg916,
Sep 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Such a great way to learn about Melbourne's history! I learn so much from Tristan who is incredibly passionate about Melbourne as a whole. The 3 bars we visited were fantastic! Highly recommend for something different to do in Melbourne.
Tristan was funn, fabulous and knowledgeable l. The tour was reality worthwhile. Definitely recommend!
J428ZKlaurag,
Aug 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Tristan was funn, fabulous and knowledgeable l. The tour was reality worthwhile. Definitely recommend, we visited some cool bars
Fun afternoon bar tour
R4256JGmichellef,
Aug 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great small group tour, checked out 3 cool small bars with great drinks and Anna was a great guide. Also some fun history information about the area
A delightful afternevening
haydynj2025,
Aug 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I had a delightful afternoon/evening experience on this tour! It was an informative time with fun facts and fun bar! I would recommend this for anyone in their mid thirties.
Thank you Anna!
evelynrA4803LT,
Aug 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Anna was absolutely wonderful, we learned so much about our home city and she was so enthusiastic and excited. A testament to the company!
Great for locals and tourists alike.
X6702HOemmae,
Aug 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
My partner and I were lucky enough to have Anna as our guide. I have lived near Melbourne all my life and my partner has just immigrated here from Europe, we don't know Melbourne so well, so this was a perfect opportunity to learn a little more. We immediately got along well with Anna and found we had a lot in common, the tour ended up feeling like more of a catch up with an old friend. Anna showed us places that we may not have discovered on our own, over lovely drinks and conversation. I highly recommend this tour, and also Anna as a guide. Thank you so much.