Caretaker's Cottage

A Hidden Gem with an Unbeatable Vibe! Caretaker’s Cottage is an absolute must-visit for anyone who loves a cozy, intimate bar with a great atmosphere. Despite its small size, the dim lighting and in-house DJ create the perfect mood for a night out. The music selection is spot-on, setting a laid-back yet lively tone. The drinks here are top-notch! Their punch, martinis, and margaritas are a definite highlight—expertly crafted and full of flavor. While they don’t serve food, they offer chips to snack on, which pairs well with the drinks. The service is where this place truly shines. The team is incredibly friendly and welcoming, making the whole experience even better. If you’re looking for a cool spot with great drinks, music, and an intimate setting, Caretaker’s Cottage is the place to be!

Pretty busy! The cocktails were all very nice with interesting textures. I liked the glitter in the stripper one ✨ the Martini was pretty hard but that's a Martini for you I guess 🍸 Barely any tables for a group of 5 so we had to wait quite a while and ended up just standing against the wall with a chair as a table when we made it inside, but you can order drinks and drink them outside: ideally when it's not super windy (which is often in this wind-tunnel part of Melbourne).

All I can say is wow! The vibes were immaculate, the cocktails fantastic, and the service was exceptional. Bartenders Tom and Tom were a treat to talk to (I was sitting at the bar) and the other staff were also lovely. Definitely worth a visit ✅

This charming spot is famous for its incredible cocktails and is ranked among the World’s Top 50 Bars. The well-crafted drinks and friendly, chatty staff make the wait worthwhile. However, it’s always crowded, and tables can be cramped, with mostly standing room. While the unique atmosphere is memorable, it might not suit everyone. Note that they only offer crisps, with no food options available. It's great for cocktails and ambience but not ideal for a relaxed setting.

A skilled team in a unique building. With a live DJ keeping g the vibe lively. They change the cocktail menu each month and you must try something other than your usual. Staff were engaging and took turns giving recommendations of places to visit in their home town; having learned this was my first visit to Australia. A hip off the radar place.

Quirky little cocktail bar in the heart of Melbourne. We arrived after seeing a show and did have to wait a short time before getting a table. However, staff were very attentive and quick to get us inside and seated. I couldn’t fault the service and the cocktails were really lovely.. as a matter of fact we called in for one drink and ended up staying till closing because the drinks were so good. The venue itself could do with a bit more atmosphere. The room we were in was small and the music was extremely loud when you’re wanting to chat with friends. Otherwise highly recommended!!

Great intimate bar with fabulous original cocktails. There’s no food only crisps, which was lacking but the drinks were decidedly good. I had to line up for 20 mins for a table inside at 6.30 on a Friday so not bad.

Service, atmosphere, bathrooms, Tokyo Collins 10/10 Zombie Milk Punch 9/10 Dressed for Tennis, Missionary’s Downfall 8/10 This place is my favourite place to grab a drink when the weather is nice. Great vibes & incredible drinks. Their martini is sublime, the only martini I’ve ever had that I’ve enjoyed!

The perfect blend of new and old, Caretaker's Cottage is undoubtably the best bar in Melbourne. Don't take my word for it, take the word of the 3 other bartenders around town that unanimously answered "Caretaker's Cottage!" when I asked what do they think the best bar in town was. CC is also on the Top 50 bars list! At Caretaker's Cottage you get high end, modern cocktails wrapped in an old-pub feel atmosphere with interesting decor. Aptly named, the place is a converted old cottage behind the Wesley Place church. Step inside, and it's a mix of old and modern, maintaining the heritage and namesake of the place while having fun and modernizing it a bit to make it more suitable for a casual and fun bar. The drinks menu changes constantly and the bartenders avoid to make any modifications as they work tirelessly to perfectly blend the right amount of ingredients with each concoction. Don't worry, the drinks are that good that you wouldn't want to change a thing anyway. The team gets really creative, too, including ingredients such as ube, yuzu, kiwi, green melon, and charcoal. Both the bartenders and the rest of the staff are friendly, efficient, and happy to help when needed. The place is small but they make it work and on nice days, you can stay outside and enjoy the small yard. Overall, if you like creative cocktails, visiting Caretaker's Cottage is an absolute must!

- super friendly staff - free wifi - delicious drinks - lively scene - came generously recommended by the city's top bartenders