Caretaker's Cottage

Modern Aussie hospo inside a stunningly preserved city cottage—smack in the middle of the CBD. Smart drinks. Top tunes. Zero pretense. Cocktail purists absolutely lose it over the inventive menu—working through bangers like the Fanta Pants or a perfectly balanced Little Italy—while stout loyalists respect the deeply reliable Guinness pour. The ultimate flex? The crew behind the mahogany. Watch them effortlessly shake tins while simultaneously mixing tracks on the 1s and 2s. It’s a loud, high-energy, standing-room-only party where strangers become fast friends over immaculate spirits. Industry heavyweights consistently point to this roaring brick-and-mortar as the absolute pinnacle of Melbourne drinking.