Tini Time

Last night we finally stepped inside Three Horses Bar — the long-awaited sister bar of @caretakers.cottage

We didn’t make it to Pepe’s new martini bar Pepe's Parlour (booked out for a private event), but the restaurant more than held its own. Tucked in the CBD, Pepe's Italian delivers that brand of big-hearted Italian cooking that doesn’t mess around, and pairs beautifully with a stiff gin martini.

Tucked behind Wesley Church on Little Lonsdale, Caretaker's Cottage feels like one of those places that’s always been part of the city, and in a way, it has.

Right on Smith Street, Babines is hard to miss, and even harder to forget. Born from two old friends, both Juliens from France, Babines translates to “lips”—the part you lick when something’s that good. Fitting, really.

Step through the leather doors on Flinders Lane and @apolloinn.bar feels like you’ve slipped into another time. It’s intimate, polished, and just the right side of mysterious—an elegant nod to Europe’s great cocktail rooms, but rooted in Melbourne’s own rhythm.

We finally made our way to Slow Poke – Collingwood’s newest rooftop bar with city views, a solid cocktail list, and a pretty playful menu.