The Best Bars on Chapel Street

Chapel Street is one of Melbourne’s most iconic strips. Over the years, it’s grown from a dedicated shopping hub more of a nightlife destination, drawing revellers from right across the city’s south-east.

Running from South Yarra to Prahran and down to Windsor and St Kilda, the strip has dozens of drinking holes, from glamorous sky-high bars like Beverly to cosy and laidback spots like ’70s-inspired Leonard’s House of Love. Whether you’re looking for a new favourite local pub, a perfect date night spot, or an opulent cocktail bar – this guide has you covered.

Words by Holly Bodeker-Smith
Updated on 18 October 2023

Bar

Leonard’s House of Love

If you’re really into burgers, tick Leonard’s off the list. This ’70s log cabin-themed burger bar serves some of Melbourne’s best. Expect American-style burger combos centred around beef, chicken, mushroom and vegan pattys. It’s also dog-friendly, so your furry friend might be begging tableside for a bite.

Shop

Chapel Street Cellars

More kinds of wine and beer than you can imagine – and you're welcome to drink in-house.

Bar

Galok

A gleaming 100-litre still sits at the centre of this red-accented bar and restaurant. It’s where distiller (and chef) Carlo Tran makes the gin you’ll find in your Asian-inspired cocktails – most of which are on tap. Pair them with pan-Asian dishes such as chargrilled prawns, beef rendang, deconstructed bao and karaage chicken.

Bar

Windsor Castle Hotel

This quirky lime castle is an improbable oasis away from bustling Chapel Street, and it has a huge courtyard. During the warmer months it’s thronged with locals, all drinking iced beverages and frosty beers.

Restaurant

Maha East

A sleek wine bar and restaurant serving up Middle Eastern-inspired dishes, some borrowed from its elder sibling Maha. Tuck into share plates of Armenian beef dumplings, lamb cutlets and taramasalata fried buns. There’s also a 120-strong wine list.

Restaurant

The Railway Hotel Windsor

This beloved pub, around since the 1920s, lets you choose from two bars or an upscale restaurant. Pile in for elevated pub classics, such as juicy steak with chips stacked like Jenga. Plus, there’s a deck for sunnier days.

Restaurant

Two Wrongs

Where fine dining meets a dive bar meets a lounge and it somehow works.

Restaurant

Lucky Coq

Bimbo Deluxe pioneered the beer-and-$4-pizza formula. Lucky Coq replicates it just as well.

Bar

Silverlake Social

An American-themed bar serving craft beer, ribs, hot dogs and cocktails.

Bar

Borsch, Vodka & Tears

An old-world Polish vodka bar and restaurant.

Restaurant

Yellow Bird Cafe

A Chapel Street stalwart you can rely on.

Restaurant

Freddy’s Pizza

A traditional Italian restaurant in the heart of Chapel Street.

More Options

Beverly, South Yarra
This sky-high restaurant and bar boasts some of the finest – and far-reaching – views of Melbourne, extending from the CBD as far as the Dandenong Ranges. Plus, the retractable glass rooftop ensures you can enjoy its Cali-cool style and al fresco dining all year round.

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