Above Board

I visited this bar around 7 PM and was pleasantly surprised that there was no wait for a table. The staff were incredibly warm, friendly, and easy to chat with, which immediately made the atmosphere feel welcoming. The overall interior design is simple yet stylish — modern without feeling cold. I tried three of their sweeter cocktails, and all of them were absolutely delicious! It’s the kind of place that makes you want to come back again. Highly recommend for a relaxed night out with great vibes and great drinks.

Such a cool hidden bar in Collingwood! You enter through Beermash and head upstairs to the first floor, suddenly you’re in what feels like a secret, ultra-exclusive bar. The atmosphere is calm, intimate, and beautifully minimal. Perfect for a date night or a quiet catch-up with close friends 🍸 We were lucky to snag the last two seats (there are only about 12 in total), so it definitely pays to arrive early. The staff were attentive and interested in what we liked. They crafted custom drinks based on our preferences (off-menu, so I don’t remember the name), and they were so good we ended up ordering a second round. Loved the little detail of the “Above Board” logo stamped into the ice cube too. Only wish they served snacks, we were craving a little something while sipping on those killer cocktails. Still, an unforgettable experience and definitely worth checking out.

We had such a great experience here! The wine was absolutely amazing – you can really tell they care about quality. The staff were super friendly and took the time to chat with us for a while. They even gave us some great recommendations, and every bottle they shared was spot on. It was such a pleasure talking with them – it really made our visit special. Highly recommend!

I’ve been to Above Board twice already and tried 8 different cocktails – every single one was outstanding! 🍸 The drinks are creative, well-balanced, and beautifully presented. The atmosphere is intimate and private, hidden upstairs with dim lighting that still feels safe and cozy. Perfect for one person to relax or for a couple to enjoy together. Some of my highlights: • A-Ha Highball – refreshing and smooth • Very Frisky – rich and complex • Topolino – a beautiful balance with peach and orange bitters • Promiscuous Punch – tangy, fruity, and so fun • H.S.L. Special, Brightside, Erin’s Delight – all expertly crafted and unique The bartenders (especially the New Zealander) are professional, friendly, and make the experience even more enjoyable. This is hands down my favorite bar in Melbourne, and definitely the one I’ll keep coming back to. Highly recommend picking the hidden menu options – they’re all gems. ✨

A friend introduced us to Above Board. We had a little trouble finding it (speakeasy ✅) but the beer guys downstairs came out and led us through their venue (“It’s alright. It happens all the time.”) We got lucky and there was no wait. The bartender wasted no time making us feel at home - even though we were from the wrong side of the ditch. The space is intimate with only counter seating and the cocktails were some of the best I’ve ever had. It feels like I’m not doing my job right recommending everything I tasted but here goes: Japanese Slipper - melon sour yumness; highball - a boring failsafe pick but turned out to be a highlight; back burber - don’t let looks deceive you… this isn’t an espresso martini - layers of delicious flavours I didn’t even know you could create in a drink.

One of the best bars in Melbourne, Australia and beyond! Thanks to Hayden, this bar has character and the drinks are almost as good as the service. Clear 5 stars. Just go through the beer place and up the stairs!

If this bar is ranked the best in the world, I honestly can’t understand why. The atmosphere was far from ideal—super loud music (and not the good kind), completely ruining what should have been a relaxed, light wine bar vibe. The pricing made no sense either—every cocktail was $24, regardless of what you ordered. And for that price, I expected something exceptional, but the cocktails were just average at best. The service? Absolutely terrible. One of the bartenders, the male bartender seemed like he wanted to joke around, but when it came to actually serving me, he blatantly ignored me. He refilled water for everyone except me, and when I politely asked for some, he loudly refused, making the whole situation incredibly embarrassing. I had to ask a female bartender instead, and even then, she only refilled my glass once. Considering I had four different cocktails, I was barely given any water—unless I basically begged for it. Definitely not an experience that justifies the hype.

This award-winning cocktail bar is tucked inside another bar, and finding it was half the fun 😌 We dropped by on a Friday evening and just managed to snag the last cozy sofa seats😉 What we ordered: ✨H.S.L. Special (AUD 24) ✨Japanese Slipper (AUD 24) ✨The benefactor (AUD 24) ✨Passionfruit (AUD 24) The cocktail menu leans fruity, which suits my taste perfectly! Each drink was refreshing, but the H.S.L. Special stole the show for me. It had a complex, well-balanced flavour with just the right kick of alcohol😍 This place is definitely worth a visit, especially if you're into creative cocktails and chill vibes. Recommend making a reservation ahead of time to skip the wait 😉