"There’s always a shiny new bar to discover in Melbourne, but when you're tired of not being able to find a seat because a phalanx of Instagrammers has taken over, there's always big, bustling Cookie in Chinatown. It blends cocktail bar, beer hall, and Thai restaurant all with apparent ease. There are great black-and-white murals on the wall, tiny and much-coveted Juliet balconies, and a long line of beer taps. Duck behind the long bar to find a more secluded nook that serves as a nice breather from the crowds. The wine list is 70 pages long, the microbrews on tap come from all over the world, and there’s a huge variety of cocktails (from fruity, refreshing tall numbers to chili-infused martinis), all listed out on menus pasted inside the covers of old children’s books. End the night with a Bartender’s Handshake, a stirred concoction of Irish whiskey, Punt e Mes, Grand Marnier, Fernet-Branca, bitters, and an orange twist." - Carrie Hutchinson
