Depot Adventures Hidden Bars of Melbourne

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The Melbourne hidden bar scene is known worldwide. The difficult thing is just that – they're hidden. Spend 3 hours visiting 4 bars in laneways, shipping containers, secret basements and more.

Days

3 hours

Group size

Small group, max 12

Start / finish

East Melbourne / East Melbourne

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

On foot with a guide

Meals

No drinks on the basic ticket; four drinks with the drinks package

Route

Map of Depot Adventures Hidden Bars of Melbourne

View map

Included experiences

Four hidden bars — laneways, shipping containers and basements
Bartenders — talk through the drinks you like
Optional drink at each venue

Depot Adventures Hidden Bars of Melbourne

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

LATE AFTERNOON: MEET YOUR GUIDE IN EAST MELBOURNE

Your evening starts at the city's eastern edge, at Gordon Reserve on Spring Street, a small park with a fountain between Parliament House and the Old Treasury Building. The reserve holds a bronze statue of the bush poet Adam Lindsay Gordon, unveiled in 1932. Parliament House across the road was Australia's federal parliament from 1901 until 1927, before Canberra was ready. You meet your guide and the rest of the group, never more than 12, and set off on foot into the grid of the city centre.

FOUR HIDDEN BARS

Over three hours your guide leads you to four bars you would struggle to find alone. Some sit behind the doors of other venues, some in basements under the street, one may be built from old shipping containers. The four change from day to day, chosen from a network of bars, so even a local can be surprised. At each one you hear what makes the place tick and talk to the bartenders about what you like to drink. On the basic ticket you buy your own drinks at menu prices. With the drinks package, one drink is waiting for you at each bar: a cocktail, beer, wine or house spirit.

THE LANEWAYS BETWEEN

The walk between bars is half the fun. Most of Melbourne's laneways began as service lanes behind the shops of the 1837 Hoddle Grid, for carts, deliveries and rubbish. From the 1990s small bars began opening in them, and a change to Victoria's liquor laws that made small venue licences easier to get helped turn a handful into hundreds. Keep looking up and around as you go: paste-ups, painted doors and hand-lettered signs are often the only sign that a bar is there at all.

FINISHING IN THE CITY

The tour ends after the fourth bar, in the city centre, with the night still young. Your guide is happy to point you towards somewhere to eat or a fifth bar if you're not ready to stop. By then you'll know how to read the city's clues: an unmarked door, a queue at the bottom of a stair, a light on in a lane.

Map

Good to know

Please note: Two tickets are offered: the basic ticket has no drinks included; the premium drinks package covers 4 drinks in total (cocktails, beer, wine or house spirits), one at each of the four venues. Guides can only buy one drink per person per venue on the package, and there is no refund for unconsumed drinks if you're late or leave early.

What is included

Experienced guide
Visits to four hidden bars

Not included

Drinks on the basic ticket — bought at full menu prices at the bar

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 4 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

We'd meant to book a walking tour for ages and finally did. John was easy to talk to and very knowledgeable, the hidden bars were some of Melbourne's best, the cocktails were top notch and it was great value. My wife and I would do it again tomorrow.

Dwight Kellow Verified· Travelled 6th October 2026

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(5/5)

Ian was everything you hope a guide will be. He led us to hidden bars we'd never have found, everywhere we went we were welcomed, and we could simply enjoy Melbourne without worrying. I'd do the Hidden Bar Tour again in a heartbeat.

Michelle Perry Verified· Travelled 24th July 2026

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(5/5)

John's guided tour of Melbourne's bars was excellent and his knowledge of the laneways' history was fantastic. We've visited Melbourne for over forty years and still found great new places to eat and drink.

Sharon Ferguson Verified· Travelled 19th July 2026

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(5/5)

A great way to find cool bars you'd never know existed. John knows the staff so we were welcomed and looked after, and it was nice to meet other travellers from around the world.

Tracey Bullock Verified· Travelled 17th July 2026

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