17 Toasty Melbourne Bars That Will Keep You Warm Until Summer

Because we all know this city's winter extends well into spring.

1. The Charles Weston Hotel, Brunswick

instagram.com

If you don't know The Charles Weston Hotel, you should. Set back just off Sydney Road opposite the Barkly Square carpark, The Charles Weston Hotel goes a little unnoticed, but its fireplace is one of the best in Brunswick. The front bar is supremely cosy, so settle in and make sure you order the haloumi burger.

2. Lazerpig

instagram.com

Avoiding any generic classification, Lazerpig manages to fuse disco ball bar with pizza parlour, and absolutely nail it. The pizza is chewy and excellent, there's a fireplace and you can choose to spread out at a table in the dining area or down your slices up at the bar.

3. Leonard's House of Love, South Yarra

instagram.com

Just opened by the guys from Sweetwater Inn, Leonard's House of Love is South Yarra's new communal lounge room. Complete with '70s mustard couches, and everything else belonging to the era, we recommend slipping into the sofa or pulling up a log stool next to the fire. With beef-stuffed chicken, burgers, and a range of beers, you're bound to have a good time.

4. The Alderman, Brunswick East

instagram.com

Can't think of a better way to spend a wintry night than inside by a fire playing board games? Then The Alderman is your bar, and you should make yourself right at home. Order some Sicilian food from Bar Idda next door, get a bottle of wine, and settle in for a game of Scrabble.

5. Gerald's Bar, Carlton North

instagram.com

The ultimate small, cosy wine bar, Gerald's is the place to go if you want to get warm, boozy, and filled up with good food. The lighting is low, the wine is always spectacular, and the menu — which is written up on butcher's paper each evening — is full of comfort, from charcuterie to stews to creme brûlée. As you can imagine, it's way too easy to lose a few hours (and quite a few dollars) in here. But it's always so worth it.

6. The Kilburn, Hawthorn

instagram.com

If a nip of aged whisky is the only thing that will warm you up on a chilly night, then you better get to The Kilburn. Stat. They've got over 600 - yes, 600 - types of whisky, so you'll be sure to find one to your liking to sip at the bar or tables lining the low-lit room. Plus, they do an incredible Old Fashioned with smoked dark chocolate and saffron.

7. Shifty Chevre, Fitzroy

instagram.com

Two words: melted cheese. Get yourself along to Fitzroy cheese bar Shifty Chevre on Wednesdays for their raclette night — perhaps the only time it's acceptable to melt cheese and pour it over your food.

8. Boilermaker House, CBD

instagram.com

A nip of whisky is a sure-fire way to warm up from the inside out, but at Boilermaker House, it's not the only thing that will do the trick. As the name suggests, this bar (which comes from the same group responsible for Eau de Vie) specialises in boilermakers, which is the genius pairing of beer and whisky. There are some cosy booths, and with table service, you can order up burgers, snacks, and cheese and charcuterie boards until 3am every night of the week.

9. Borsch, Vodka and Tears, Windsor

instagram.com

Chances are, if you've been to Borsch, Vodka and Tears, your memories of the place are a little hazy. That's because this Polish-inspired bar does some seriously good (and seriously potent) cocktails. It's how the Polish keep warm in the depths of winter, and how you should too.

10. Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy

instagram.com

In summer, it's all about Rainbow's courtyard, but come winter, the seats inside next to the fireplace become the coveted spot. Head in around 6pm to get your hands on one of the prime spots, and make sure you hold onto it until you're 100% ready to go home. The best night to visit is Wednesday, when it's $14 for a steak, veggies, and a small mountain of creamy, garlicky mash.

11. Joe's Shoe Store, Northcote

instagram.com

If you're after a quiet drink in Northcote, Joe's Shoe Store is where you need to head. There are some cosy leather booths to slink down into, but it's rather nice to sip on a glass of wine up at the window, looking out to the people traipsing and tramming up a rainy High Street.

12. Antique Bar, Elsternwick

instagram.com

Elsternwick isn't exactly pulsing with nightlife, but Antique Bar more than makes up for the southside suburb's lack of options. As for as winter bars go, it checks all the boxes; it's got a fireplace, board games and mulled wine. Cosiness factor is through the roof.

13. Neighbourhood Wine, Fitzroy North

instagram.com

Neighbourhood Wine is one of those places you always step out of in a bit of a foggy daze. It's probably because of all the wine — but it's also the warmth, cosiness and distance is creates between you and the traffic on Nicholson Street down below. The food here is always spot on, as is the wine, and the fireplace just adds to the overall feelings of warmth you'll have for this place.

14. Joe Taylor, North Melbourne

instagram.com

Joe Taylor is the kind of bar that you can wander into at any time, which in winter is pretty handy. These guys make a mean cocktail, and hanging out here is probably a lot warmer than sticking it out with a blow heater in your cold North Melbourne terrace. It's dark and cosy, and open late every night except Thursday.

15. Bad Frankie, Fitzroy

instagram.com

Dark spirits were made for drinking in dimly lit bars in bad weather, and one of the best places to do this Bad Frankie. Their just-off-Smith Street bar is dark and moody, but the staff are lovely and extra helpful - especially when you need a hand choosing from their extensive whisky and rum list. Also woth mentioning: lamington jaffles.

16. Acqua e Vino, Yarraville

instagram.com

Not quite brimming with nightlife (yet), Acqua e Vino is one of Yarraville's only bars, soo it's lucky it's a good one. With a big open fireplace in one corner and a stage setup for live music in the other, this is a more than ideal place to settle in for the night with a bottle of red.

17. The Napier, Fitzroy

instagram.com

With one of the best old school pub fireplaces around, The Napier's dining room is the best place to warm up on a winter night. With a parma and a pint too, of course.