Bar Safari
Our 2023 Bar Safari is spread across the CBD and the inner north, comprising over 40 venues that have created a bespoke $15 cocktail or an elevated Sip + Snack offering for ticket holders. Create your own safari by mapping out venues you’ve never been to, or drinks that sound unmissable, or try one of our many planned routes which you’ll be able to see on the MCF Bar Safari map.
The home of the festival
A pop-up bar, taking over Double Happiness, with a bespoke MCF menu by the MCF team. Lead by much loved Melbourne bartender Darren Leaney, expect punches, fizzes, sparkling twists and every manner of delicious drinks. Come by to redeem your free Bar Safari cocktail, get help planning your night out from the team, and stay to drink your way through our $15 cocktail menu.
Bar 1806
Classic cocktail bar in old theatre
A velvet-lined, softly-lit experience that's part-theatre, part-history lesson and all delicious! MCF Cocktail: Cafe Sazerac with Grada Coffee & Spirit, cognac, bourbon, cold brew, maple syrup, vanilla cream.
Bar Clara
An intimate Chinatown cocktail bar
Bar Clara is an intimate Chinatown cocktail bar, focusing on seasonal creations and a warm welcome. MCF Cocktail: Harvest Moon with brioche infused JimmyRum silver, red bean syrup, black sesame vermouth foam, grated cured egg yolk.
Bar Margaux
Stylish late-night bar and brasserie
MCF Cocktail: Jimmy Swizzle with JimmyRum silver, Cocchi Rosa, lime, charred pineapple juice and pepper
Beneath Driver Lane
Basement laneway blues bar
MCF Cocktail: Booker T with Basil Hayden bourbon, elderflower, yuzu, lemon, wonderfoam.
Black Kite Commune
Laneway Australian produce bar
MCF Cocktail: Daydreams with Hickson Road London dry gin, Seppeltsfield flor dry apera, lemon, honeydew & basil shrub, TIRO soda water, cinnamon myrtle pickled grape garnish.
Bonny
Contemporary neighbourhood bar
Bonny is a warm, contemporary, neighbourhood bar with a focus on sustainability.
Botswana Butchery Melbourne
Modern steak restaurant
MCF Cocktail: Maccie Rush with Basil Hayden bourbon, Brookies Mac, lemon, honey, Chuncho Bitters
Builders Arms Hotel
Iconic & beautiful Gertrude St pub
MCF Cocktail: Fishing Expedition with JimmyRum white, amontillado sherry, coconut water, lime, soda
Chancery Lane
Sip & Snack Venue
Chancery Lane is Scott Pickett's European-inspired bistro in the historic Normanby Chambers building
Curious Bar
Great late night bar
MCF Cocktail: C x C with Grada Coffee + Spirit, Caraïbe 66%, Averna Amaro, Sazerac Rye Whiskey
Cutler & Co.
Sip & Snack Venue
Visit Cutler & Co. bar for a Tomatillo Gibson and pairing snack of Luxembourg potato with sour cream, chives and caviar for $28.
Double Happiness
Historic laneway bar
MCF Cocktail: Powder Keg with Jimmyrum Silver, Apollon blood orange sake liqueur, pomelo olio, cardamom tincture, Thai basil, lime, soda
Farmer's Daughters
Rooftop bar celebrating Gippsland
MCF Cocktail: Freemantle Floristry with pink pepper infused vodka, Freemantle citrus blend, apricot brandy, orange bitters, lavender sugar rim
Distillery cocktail bar
MCF Cocktail: Admiral Grada with Grada Coffee + Spirit, Fossey's Navel Strength on Chardonnay, orange sherbet, orange bitters
Good Heaven Rooftop Bar
Huge rooftop drinks destination
MCF Cocktail: Fhloston Paradise with Triple G gin, hibiscus tea, lime, pineapple, ginger bitters, soda
GRACIE
Sake, cocktail & wine bar
MCF Cocktail: Shiso Bon Bon with Hickson Road gin, shiso umeshu, red rice sake, chysanthemum tea
Gum
Australian-centric modern cocktails
MCF Cocktail: Splice 2.0 with JimmyRum, Tepache (lacto-fermented pineapple, spices), bergamot liqueur, burnt lime cordial, coconut milk
Heartbreaker
Rock 'n' roll dive bar
MCF Cocktail: Beekeeper with Basil Hayden bourbon, honey, absinthe and angostura bitters
Cavernous, golden-lit bar
MCF Cocktail: Grapefruit Liberation with Republic of Fremantle vodka, Autonomy Davo plum, ginger wine, grapefruit and lime
Lily Blacks
Art deco cocktail bar
MCF Cocktail: Peach Tea Manhattan with Basil Hayden bourbon, peach liqueur, black tea tincture, Rinquinquin peach aperatif, sweet vermouth, peach bitters
Little Lon Distillery Co
Distillery bar in 17th C cottage
MCF Cocktail: Gin-kissed Smoked Espresso with Ginger Mick gin, orange infused mezcal, lime and ginger cordial, passionfruit syrup, Grada Coffee + Spirit liqueur, absinthe rinse, wonderfoam
Atmospheric bar above Longrain
MCF Cocktail: Collin’s on Safari with Republic of Freemantle vodka, Unico Mando, passionfruit, kaffir lime, Fever Tree grapefruit soda
Madame Brussels
Rooftop with tennis club vibes
MCF Cocktail: Tiramisu Martini with Grada Coffee + Liqueur, vodka, Irish cream liqueur, rum
Molly Rose
Brewery & cocktail bar
MCF Cocktail: Wellington Common with Lemongrass White Light Vodka, Marionette Curacao, citrus, cranberry and soda
New Gold Mountain
Gold Rush era-inspired bar
MCF Cocktail: It Takes All Sorts with star anise infused Triple G, Maidenii La Tonique, falernum, Convict bitters
Pawa Cafe & Bar
First Nations cafe & bar
MCF Cocktail: Pawa Spritz with blood orange, sparkling water, vodka
Rice Paper Scissors Fitzroy
Inspired by hawker dining bars
MCF Cocktail: Rendang Sour with Basil Hayden bourbon, toasted coconut infused Disaronno, lemon, rendang
Rice Paper Scissors Melbourne CBD
Vibrant Southeast Asian diner
MCF Cocktail: Sage My Name with White Light Vodka, yuzushu, lemon juice, pineapple + sage syrup
Rooftop
Melbourne’s quintessential CBD rooftop bar
MCF Cocktail: Placebo with Basil Hayden Kentucky Straight bourbon, house-made chamomile honey, lemon juice, walnut bitters
The Cloakroom Bar
Southbank rooftop cocktail bar
MCF Cocktail: Spring Cooler with Republic of Fremantle Vodka, cucumber & kiwi syrup, pear cider and blueberries
The Everleigh
Golden era-inspired classic cocktails
MCF Cocktail: de Melo with 60ml Grada coffee +spirit, pedro ximenez, mole bitters, float of coconut whipped cream
The Stolen Gem
Impressive views and cocktails
MCF Cocktail: Melbourne Mule with White Light Vodka, mint, lime wedges, ginger
Transit Rooftop Bar at Transport Hotel
Rooftop Australian restaurant bar
MCF Cocktail: The Italian Rouge with Hickson Road gin, Campari, creme de Mure, tequila, lemon, wonderfoam Available on Transit Rooftop Bar - Level 2, Transport Hotel only. Opening hours: Monday & Tuesday closed Wednesday to Friday - 3pm till late Saturday & Sunday - 12pm till late
Ronnie's
CBD bar and diner
MCF Cocktail: Ch-Ch-Cherie Bombe with Tripe G Gin, Marionette Groseille, lime, creme de violette, egg white
Victoria by Farmer's Daughters
Terrace bar overlooking river
MCF Cocktail: Thyme for Peaches with Hickson Road gin (infused with additional anise), Marionette peach, lime, strawberry
Whisky & Alement
Melbourne's home of whisk(e)y
MCF Cocktail: Nigel Thornberry with Basil Hayden bourbon, sake, raspberry, verjuice, coconut water blend