Where is the best Martini in Melbourne is a question I get asked all the time.

In a city full of great bars, and the most iconic of cocktails readily available in so many of them, you’d think you would never lack for an option near by.  From glitzy cocktail bars and restaurants, where the cocktail is as much an occasion as the venue, to humble and welcoming local bistros and bars where the cocktail is served with care and without pretension, Melbourne certainly delivers.  

From Martini clubs to mini-flights, or bespoke creations, a Martini lover will never be thirsty in this fine city.

But any reader / follower of mine will know that I think a good, let alone great, Martini is more than its ingredients or temperature, it is a combination of facts that need to come together to elevate you to a higher plane of cocktail experience. 

Not to mention the reliability factor,  I would hate to recommend a place where I had a good experience to find out later that their experience was sub-optimal due to different personal or some other factor.

So in my search to answer that question, over the last nine months or so I have travelled far and wide. 

Some 40 plus places, quietly without fuss, often repeated.  I had asked on here in IG for some suggestions from locals, and added those I had spotted and some old favourites.  

As an ex fine dining manager and national tourism awards judge I do have an eye for the customer experience, and don’t mind paying for the ambiance, but I ranged some neighbour hood places to some of the most famous venues.  

On average you paying mid- to high AUD$20’s for a Martini – usually a 60ml -90ml measure.  I tended to order the same initially as a base line: such as a Very Dry Plymouth Gin with a twist, and then a house version.

I looked for:

• The overall quality of the cocktail
• Atmosphere + vibe
• Service attitude
• X factor like the venue, food options, glassware, who was attracted to the bar.

So I finally landed on what I think are the top five experiences that I think offer a consistently fine experience, each with their own voice and who elevate the Martini experience. 

So in alphabetical order……

Above Board showcases premium spirits through expertly balanced cocktails rather than focusing on luxury labels. Their carefully curated selection of whiskies, gins, amaros, brandies, and other top-shelf ingredients is chosen for flavour and quality, resulting in drinks that are refined, complex, and consistently exceptional.

Deemed one of the best bars in the world, Above Board is a tiny venue with only around 16 seats and a deliberately focused cocktail offering, proving that excellence and attention to detail can compete with much larger, more elaborate bar.

I really like this bar. 

Small, high staff ratio who will spend time with you, proficient, and a razor sharp focus on one thing: the drinks.  

No distractions, no food, no labels (all bottles are decanted) and a select menu. 

With its, oh so Melbourne,laneway entry past the bins, this unpretentious space with its low light Scandi vibe, just makes the good stuff, and not only was my Martini pitch perfect in everyway, the relaxed vibe is what a contemporary bar is all about.

A place to meet, be uplifted, and come away with your world view in a better place.   Find out more on their website here.

Bar Ferdinand delivers a sophisticated botanical cocktail experience in an intimate heritage setting.  Set in a heritage building just off Collins Street (the Paris end as they say), it takes its inspiration from Australia’s natural flora, each cocktail explores unique botanical flavours through seasonal ingredients and innovative techniques.

Wood and leather, high ceilings, lovely old school ambience, it does offer a sense of occasion without being formal. One feels grand and comfortable all at once and to feel very welcome.  This is the sort of place I’d love to be a regular at.  

You can have an aperitif here, then go on for dinner in the restaurant, or just enjoy a civilised cocktail or two with some of their delicious bar menu.  

The cocktails are a thoughtful fresh take on the classics, and my house martini included Gin, Vodka, Cocchi Americano, Apple Mint, absolutely delicious. Other cocktails are inspired by nature, offering on point creations. 

It even offers their version of the classic Japanese slipper cocktail which was invented in that building way back in the 80s.  Fun fact: I met the French man who was bar manager at the time a few years back by chance who created it due to excessive Midori on stock!

It has quickly gained recognition through a Best Bar nomination in the 2026 Time Out Melbourne Food & Drink Awards and widespread acclaim for its botanical cocktail program, elegant heritage setting, and creative approach to mixology.

Find out more on their website here.

Daphne

As I said, you don’t have to trek far in the suburbs of Melbourne to find a Martini close by.   Located on the iconic Lygon Street in Carlton, this popular restaurant also offers a great cocktail program and get this: there is a Martini Club on Mondays with matching snacks. 

Friendly and welcoming, with a happy and relaxed vibe of people enjoying what looks like some delicious food, when my oysters arrived to go with my excellent Martini, the server said, “my idea of a classy combination.” Indeed.   

Lucky locals have this gem of a place to enjoy and I’m still recommending it.  

Find out more on their website here.

One or Two

A Martini is more than its ingredients or temperature, it is a combination of facts that need to come together to elevate you to a higher plane of cocktail experience. 

I had been told to check this place out, tucked away in China Town as a bar very much on point.  Small, dimly lit, welcomed on arrival, sat at the bar and I just let them do their thing. 

The staff were happy to chat, and a small select menu did the rest of the talking.  This is the sort of bar where you go on a bit of a journey on their terms.   A contemporary, seasonal approach to their cocktails.

Thoughtful, modest, friendly, excellent execution.  Perfect for its location, pre / post dinner with a friend. They even offered me a little something extra in a glass by way of a welcome & come back soon.  I will!

Find out more on their website here.

Reine and La Rue

The glamour, oh the glamour. 

I’ve been to some fancy places in my time, but this space does what Melbourne does so well, an occasion space that also delivers with polished, warm hospitality and that executes with world class quality.  

One sat at the bar, and appreciated the efficiency of the well organised high-volume bar that serviced the restaurant as well, they were very well dialled in and the way that they build my Martini was perfect, delivered quickly.  

Great people watching too.

When I had finished I was gently I was asked if I wanted another, of course I did, but it was a school night….. so I was about to demur and she said, we can do a mini Martini!   

Stop it – yes please say I.   

With some wonderful oysters, I was very much in my happy place.

Find out more on their website here.