We’ve got new locally-focused cocktail bars, long-awaited rooftops and even superhero themed pop-up bars for you to try this month! Missed last month’s openings? Catch up here.

Galah

Let’s ruffle some feathers. The Magpie may be have been recently crowned ‘Australian Bird of the Year’, but for us Galah is a real winner. The cocktail bar can now be found nesting atop a mechanic’s workshop. Inspired by – but not themed in – Australiana, the dreamy interiors are primed for sipping drink accented by ingredients like eucalyptus, native finger lime and Aussie vermouth.

216a High Street, Windsor

The Albion

Insert hack-y “like a phoenix rising from the ashes” cliche here. After well-publicised two year delay, the wait for The Albion seems worth it. Downstairs can be as disco-rific as Motel ever was but the rooftop is the jewel in this crown, with city views and boutique apartment styling. Go for the espresso martinis on tap, stay for the elevated bar menu.

172 York Street, South Melbourne

The Tipsy Cow Malt & Vine Co

This charmingly named, whiskey and wine-focused neighbourhood bar has a few other things going for it to make the locals smile. The Tipsy Cow is also dog friendly, possesses a lovely, leafy courtyard and their very own canine mascot Nisha can step in should you find yourself without a drinking buddy.

359 Bay Street, Port Melbourne

Evies Disco Diner

Why hasn’t anyone mashed up a disco and a diner before? This neon-punctuated retro Americana bar may look all-fluff but there’s some serious thought underneath all of its day-glo superficiality. Ingredients are all locally sourced, there are no throwaway straws (seriously, we don’t need ’em) and the menu is vegetarian and vegan friendly. So – delightfully – Fitzroy.

230 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

In other news… Online wine purveyors Magnum & Queens have released their very first in-house wine! The flavours of the Yarra Valley sparkling, dubbed ‘Fiorire‘, have been strikingly embodied on the label by local artist Beth Emily and designer Anna Topalidou. / It’s usually rum we associate with maritime adventures but now its whisky‘s time. Cunard cruise-ship, the Queen Elizabeth, has taken aboard a barrel of Starward which will now mature in the sea air for the near year before being opened as ‘The Seafarer’ at the commencement of next year’s sailing season. / If you missed all of our hectic InstaStorying live on the night, you can find all of the Time Out Melbourne Bar Awards winners here. Special toasts to Bar Liberty as the Bar of the Year, Gin Palace’s Trish Brew as Bartender of the Year and Gerald’s Place for the Legend Award. / One for the superhero superfans; Marvel and Tommy Collins are opening a pop-up bar/diner in Fed Square next week. It will be named Midtown after Spiderman’s high school. / Northsiders rejoice! The Carlton Wine Room has reopened with a new look, new menu and new management. Same old deliciousness though.

Got a hot tip on a local cocktail culture story, craft spirits news or a new Melbourne bar? Drop us a line sometime: sarah@drinkmelbourne.com.au