While Wednesday may have officially marked the beginning of winter with the winter solstice, Melbourne has been fighting the freeze for weeks already. Melbourne has tons of awesome things to do outdoors, even during winter—but sometimes all you need is a cosy chair, a coffee (or something stronger, maybe?), and a fireplace. Here are the 6 best places in Melbourne to escape to when the chill factor has no chill.
6. Buck Mulligan’s
Located in Northcote, this funky Irish whiskey bar doubles as a bookshop. There are plenty of nooks and crannies to curl up in with your favourite whiskey cocktail and a James Joyce novel. Not into whiskey? That’s cool—Buck Mulligan’s also serves cocktails, beer, wine, and tons of non-alcoholic drinks.
5. Dukes Coffee Roasters
Great coffee, dim lighting, and cosy window seats: all the fixings for the perfect winter hideaway. This Flinders Lane find is tucked away in a laneway in the heart of the city. But be warned: although small, Dukes is popular, and the lines sometimes find themselves snaking out the door.
4. Romeo Lane
This bar, located in the CBD, is renowned for its ever-changing, creative cocktail menu. Grab a drink you’ve never tried and snuggle up—extra points if you score a spot by the fireplace!
3. Grigons and Orr Corner Store
Step out of the cold and back in time. Grigons and Orr in North Melbourne is here to provide the old school general store feels. The café itself is deliciously eccentric and the menu is nothing to scoff at, either. On your way out, grab a takeaway coffee—the cups are always interesting and adorable.
2. Antique Bar
Channel your inner Ernest Hemingway in this 1920s-esque bar. Plush seats, a fireplace, a bookshelf, and—of course—a fantastic drinks menu. What’s not to love? Note—flapper dress not required, but strongly recommended.
1. Slowpoke Espresso
Of course, it wouldn’t really be an article about Melbourne cafés if it didn’t list a Fitzroy joint. Slowpoke Espresso is a quaint, snug hideaway from Jack Frost. Warning: consuming more than one coffee here will put you at danger of wanting to never leave.
Leave your North Face puffer jacket at home, Melbourne. Who needs warming up when you’ve got these cosy bars and cafés right outside your doorstep?