Ah, Melbourne. Where the Space Coast meets the cocktail coast. After a day of pretending adult responsibilities don’t exist, your 5pm alarm reminds you that you’re a grown-up who deserves a proper drink and a meal that doesn’t come from a microwave. Here’s where to find both.
Sully’s Backstreet Bar
$ | (321) 253-1202 | WEBSITE
Forcing yourself to unwind after a long week can feel like a chore (trust us, that third cup of coffee isn’t fooling anyone)—unless you’re drinking at Sully’s Backstreet Bar. Our go-to move at this Melbourne hideaway is grabbing a seat near the stage, where friendly staff like Jaelynn and Deb serve up cold drinks with genuine smiles during their lively live music nights.
The whole place hums with a homey, relaxed vibe that makes you forget life’s rigors, especially when local talent fills the air with tunes and the nearby food truck offers perfect bites to match.
Slingers Bar
$ | (321) 914-0849 | WEBSITE
It was the karaoke that broke the night. If you have a working sense of fun and a weekend free, chances are, you’ve heard of Slingers Bar. This Melbourne spot specializes in a friendly, close-knit community atmosphere, a chill, casual version of the bars you’d find in bigger cities, which comes with live music, the best karaoke show around, and daily drink specials at reasonable prices that feel like they were just set that morning.
The staff tends to be kind and hardworking, so be prepared to feel welcome—just make sure you’re doing it in a respectful way (a.k.a. not hogging the mic or skipping the food truck outside).
Foo Bar Cocktail Lounge
$ | (321) 802-5006 | WEBSITE
The Miami visitors, the after-work crowd, the seasonal drink hype—they’ve all turned Foo Bar into a bit of a destination. It is what it is. But that doesn’t detract from the fact that Foo Bar is still one of Melbourne’s best cocktail lounges. It’s also much mellower on weeknights. Its friendly inside-outside space is the perfect spot to unwind before the weekend kicks off and enjoy the cold chocolate cocktail, the good music, and whatever welcoming atmosphere the owner is creating that evening.
Chumley’s Depot
$ | (321) 208-5766 | WEBSITE
Some say Sunday is the new Saturday, but you’ll find a lively crowd every day of the week at Chumley’s Depot. (Except, ironically enough, during off-hours, when it’s quiet.) This Melbourne bar is welcoming in every sense of the word: a bustling space that plays good music and serves hearty, satisfying plates like top-notch wings with the Marcus sauce, delicious fried pork rinds, and excellent fries.
If you’re planning on dropping by during an Eagles game, there’s a good chance you’ll wait 20-ish minutes at the cornhole area with a cold beer until a table opens up.
Iron Oak Post
$ | (321) 327-8356 | WEBSITE
It’s hard to argue there’s a more game-changing, neighborhood-altering bar than Iron Oak Post, a downtown Melbourne spot that put craft beer culture on the map. Their rotating craft beer selection is one of the best in the city, a giant, always changing lineup of specialty brews we’d happily drink all night, but make sure to order a specialty cocktail or some combination of the two to satisfy the rest of the group.
Flames Mediterranean Bar & Grill – Melbourne
$$ | (321) 777-6677 | WEBSITE
At Flames Mediterranean Bar & Grill, a popular spot in Melbourne, it’s all about the welcoming atmosphere and generous portions of authentic Mediterranean cuisine. You’ll find dishes like falafel served with fresh vegetables, hot vegetarian starters, and all the classics prepared with care and attention to detail.
This is primarily a sit-down restaurant perfect for celebrations, and though you can certainly walk in, we recommend making a reservation for larger parties to ensure you get the full experience with their outstanding service.
Crush XI
$$ | (321) 312-6067 | WEBSITE
This Melbourne gem is a comfortable overload of the most delightful variety, where dinner reservations can go from one course to three in a blink of an eye. As for the food, the diverse menu offers a variety of options, including a selection of old fashioneds and the catch of the day. We recommend starting with the Medjool Dates appetizer and letting Reese guide you through the wine pairings—their knowledge turns a meal into an experience worth savoring.
Arcade Monsters Melbourne
$ | (888) 652-5055 | WEBSITE
As anyone familiar with arcade bars knows, finding a spot with both quality games and decent drinks can be quite the challenge. Not at Arcade Monsters. This vibrant, neon-lit haven offers an all-day wristband system that lets you hop on any machine without worrying about swiping cards or running out of credits, plus a selection of games unmatched by 80% of the arcades in the area.
Sure, there’s some anime artwork plastered on the walls, but even if you don’t normally like that aesthetic, you’ll find that slowly but surely sinking baskets to the glow of skeeball lights while sipping a local IPA is a nostalgic experience not unlike flipping through comic books as a kid.
The staff are friendly and helpful, the place is clean and well-kept, and while you should definitely eat before coming—the fries are frozen, and some items don’t taste like real chicken—the full liquor bar and great assortment of beers make this a memorable spot for endless fun, especially if you’re a fan of pinball machines.
Double Tapp Grill
$ | (321) 312-4578 | WEBSITE
The only downside we encountered was the occasional wait for a shooting lane during peak hours. Everything else, however, is affordable, lively, and exactly the kind of unpretentious fun we seek on a Friday night. This grill and bar expertly serves up towering double-burger patties with crispy fries, with legendary alligator tail poboys that satisfy every craving and fresh margaritas with the perfect degree of chill.
And if you really can’t handle the wait for target practice today, there’s always the connected store to browse supplies while you enjoy your meal.
On The Rocks
$ | (321) 723-1939 | WEBSITE
When it comes to classic dive bars, On The Rocks is the real deal. Make sure to focus on the Tuesday karaoke nights led by DJ Dave Andrew so you’ll get as much fun for your time as possible, with classic tunes pumping through the jukebox and a friendly bartender keeping the drinks flowing, plus all the smoky atmosphere your soul could possibly crave.
Whiskey Business
$$$ | WEBSITE
Whiskey Business’s hidden alleyway location has one of the most charming casual setups in Melbourne, making it a top choice for after-work gatherings. The popular spot’s fairly relaxed take on bar service has nothing pretentious about it. We’ve seen groups lounging on couches with old fashioneds and chatting at the bar, dog owners enjoying yappy hour with their pets on Fridays and Saturdays, and coworkers catching up over great drinks with bartender CJ’s excellent service.
Pineapples
$$ | (321) 499-1400 | WEBSITE
Pineapples is one of those few places we refer to as an ace restaurant. Pull this lively three-floor spot out on a Friday, whether it be for a family dinner or rooftop drinks, and it will deliver on all fronts. The menu is full of delicious casual staples like the Pineapple Signature Burger and tuna poke cucumber, and the vibe is fun without being overwhelming. Also, save room for those sweet potato fries on the side, or don’t even bother coming.
Hurricane Creek Saloon
$ | (321) 802-3205 | WEBSITE
If you and your dancing shoes have a turbulent relationship, a lively night out can help. Head to Hurricane Creek Saloon in Melbourne, otherwise known as the city’s best spot for line dancing. Beginners and seasoned dancers mingle side-by-side, stepping to various music genres and sipping on delicious mixed drinks.
The food is tasty with generous portions, the service is excellent, and it’s the kind of place we accidentally spend hours at because our welcoming atmosphere is always right—another round of drinks and line dancing lessons do sound great.
Lourdes Library
$$$ | WEBSITE
Head to Lourdes Library if you’re seeking to charm someone who enjoys exploring creative cocktails or savoring a few rounds of expertly crafted drinks. The speakeasy-style Melbourne establishment lands squarely in the Cozy and Sophisticated category in atmosphere and offers a thoughtfully curated selection of beverages. Think passionfruit-infused gin fizzes, mezcal old-fashioneds with smoked rosemary, and a classic martini with a twist of house-made orange bitters.
Archie’s British Restaurant
$ | (321) 610-8011 | WEBSITE
You could easily drive by this modest British restaurant in Melbourne a dozen times and miss it entirely, but that would be a genuine shame on your part. For years now, Archie’s has been dishing out some of the most authentic British fare in the area. It’s cozier (and tastier) than the unassuming exterior might lead you to believe, and you should expect to spend a reasonable amount.
It’s completely justified though – from perfectly crisp fish and chips to hearty shepherd’s pie, this is where proper pub grub shines.
