Bar Americano

Such a hidden gem! Cute mini bar which has a nice vintage/modern/classic vibe. Small choice of cocktails but they are to perfection. Highly recommend stumbling across this cute bar! You won't be disappointed. The staff are super friendly and welcoming.

Cocktails were decent but not worth the $ paid. e.g. I got a “hot pinacolada” for $31 (it’s that tiny drink in the tall glass in the picture) - it tasted like pineapple juice. Not worth $31 = not happy customer = nice one time visit won’t return again. Expected more from this place after reading the reviews and mentions in many articles online. Have seen much better cocktail bars in Melbourne CBD.

Super cool bar. Tiny and always busy bar. Must try the Pisolino cocktail. OMG! I’m so sad that this little hidden gem is closing. Rush to have the best in the city!

Came here late at night looking for a classic Manhattan. Unfortunately not on their classic cocktail menu. Apparently the menu changes depending on what they pre mix. The cocktails are pre blended and quite pricey had an old fashioned $27 which was too sweet for my liking. If you like to choose your ingredients it's not the place. 40' ish music playing in the background creates an atmosphere. Bar staff dressed up in grey lab coats who were friendly. First impressions were that of an old tiled bathroom. Soccer balls and a couple of guernseys hanging from the ceiling. No chairs or stools just lean up on the side benches. Pretty hard to read the menu so couldn't really make out what was actually available. Tried an americano which was good.

Hidden treasure in Melbournes Ally. The bar us TINY on the inside- not much room at all. But outside in the alley way set up was more magical. Felt like i was in Havana sipping cocktails

A little piece of hidden Melbourne that’s waiting to be discovered. If I’m having a night out in the CBD, the last stop before the trip home is always Bar Americano. Low-key, chill vibes - and often a place your friends and acquaintances are yet to discover. The cocktails are brilliant and the wait staff are always happy to recommend one based on your tastes. Prior to the recent social distancing measures in place, it was a small intimate spot where the bar was standing room only. Now to cater to change, it’s bustling into the alley and is purely, in every sense, Melbourne. I’ll keep coming back again and again, on every night out, that little nightcap that’s become a tradition. I’m so glad to have found this place — and once discovered, everyone else will have too.

Melbourne's post lockdown summer will look like this. Outdoor dining and drinking in places we've never had the chance will be the reward for defeating the virus. This shot captures the new outdoor drinking area of @baramericano in Presgrave Place. Remember when it was forbidden to take your drink beyond the premises? Now it's mandatory. This bar is the city's smallest best cocktail bar.

Friendly service and knowledgeable and skillful bartenders. Expensive but one of the best cocktails we've had - so much so we ordered another round! Unfortunately there's no space for seating so it's not suitable for a long stay. And the limited space means that it's only suitable for very small amounts of people at any one time. Would return.

Cool little speakeasy ... emphasis on the "little" ! Craft cocktails with laboratory precision. Fun experience and the hunt for the door adds to the excitement. Took one clandestine photo as picture taking is frowned upon. Old fashioned was the drink of choice for the night.

This is cool tiny bar down an alley in Melbourne cbd. A friend suggested I check it out, I'm glad I did. It's the smallest bar I've ever been to with a decent list of drinks. You're so close to everyone that you end up talking to each other because there's no choice. The only downside is the drinks are pretty pricy otherwise a cool little spot.

This is definitely one of those spots you would never find without Yep! Down not one laneway, but two from the main street, this teeny tiny bar only has a capacity for 12 people! We got in easily on a Friday night, but while we were there they did close their doors for 10 minutes when they were at capacity. As their name would suggest they specialise in Americanos. Their drinks list is very limited, and mostly cocktail focused. We grabbed a couple of their negronis and enjoyed the clandestine exclusive vibe, and also the amazing giant ice cubes that are embossed with the bar's logo. Don't try and take a photo like I did - no photos allowed! The staff were pretty good about it and didn't come down on me too heavily for not knowing or seeing the sign. A fun little bar to try out.

It's a great little (almost hidden) CBD cocktail bar. Beautiful old world vibe, was so impressed I wrote a blog on it https://socialeventsmelbourne.com.au/bar-americano/

I didn't realise the 'no photo' rule until after I snapped two of my drink to get the perfect shot. Considering I was one of five in the establishment they didn't seem to mind. Welcome to Bar Americano! I know now how lucky I was to get quickly in and drinks served in a manner of minutes. I attribute that to mid-week drinks at 6pm, however the bartender said it's really a matter of luck as they can be busy anytime. Decor is quaint and old school artsy. You will be served by label less bottles so trust in their selection. You will also be handed a small cocktail menu that can be easily adapted to suit any taste. You will also be forced to stand, probably because there is no room for chairs and they want you out in two drinks or in the case of my coworker, three. I could have easily had a third myself but then I would probably need to take out a small loan! Prepare to spend upwards of $22 for a drink. Crikey! All that aside the cocktails are on point. I went with one of their menu choices and it was smooth with a slight citrus twang, the Devil's Own. Second time around it was a tasty concoction of the bartender, which was essentially a whisky sour with port. My coworker was equally impressed with their selection. Overall I think if you want a unique experience then this hidden bar is a great stop. And if you rock up without having to wait, even better. Just be prepared for the sticker shock and no seating. Worth popping into on your way to or from dinner. Cheers!

I stumbled on this tiny bar looking for a quiet bar in the area. I was completely blown away by its charm, it's friendly staff. And the atmosphere! Every little detail in this bar went above and beyond. Had a delightful Old Fashioned and was delighted. Thank you guys for this unexpected pleasure!

[Hide-and-Seek Rating: *****/5] I was walking in the direction of my hotel (Flinders Lane) from our Melbourne office, and felt like a quick cocktail before dinner. I did a trusty Yelp search for bars, and this beauty popped up on the map. Little did I know that this bad boy is hidden down not 1, but 2, non-descript alleyways that give you no hints of what you are about to stumble upon... until you well... stumble upon it. The artistic pictures lining the walls of the alleyway are your dead giveaway that you are going to hit the jackpot. Opening the very classy glass-paned wooden doors, I found myself alone in a dark interior that reminded me of a tiled abandoned subway platform. Candles were flickering and dancing, casting eerie shadows upon the walls. I wondered if I should be in here, was this place even open? Was it even a bar? Just then a voice cried out "hello?", before the well-groomed bartender appeared to welcome me to his establishment. We had some initial gettin-to-know-ya banter upon which I discovered that the owner of Bar Americano (Matthew Bax) also owns/runs The Tippling Club - a highly regarded bar in Singapore (where I currently reside). We decided that a classic Negroni was going to be my best bet after the day I just had (I've had a lot of Negroni's and this was very good). As the 'tender left me to his creation, he set about his tasks behind the bar, before a lovely older couple waltzed through the doors. Before long all 4 of us were discussing everything from the minutiae or our day -to- favourite drinks -to- reminiscing about the bars of old -to- the best steak in Melbourne (all 3 of them gave San Telmo the thumbs up as best in Melbs). As we were all deep in conversation, a second younger couple entered, and I began to gather that this was going to be a continuing theme - as the easy-going, old-world charm of this bar is so inviting and casts one back to a grander time on the bar scene. Alas - I was only here for one cocktail before dinner, so I bid my new friends adieu and thanked them for their steakhouse recommendation. Read the fine print: - Strictly no photo policy (can't stop Yelpers though it seems) - 10 Person Capacity policy (they literally will not let an 11th person in) - Standing Room only policy (there's no chairs bruh, so you won't be sitting broski) - They have pre-made Negroni's in bottles that you can buy and take with you

Fabulous tiny bar hidden in a back alley. Very Italian feel and style, could easily be in Florence. Very good coffee and cocktails. Can get crowded and you may have to wait until someone leaves before you can get in.

I love this tiny little gem.. It is a cafe by day, and bar by night. The coffee is so very very good and the cocktails are a work of art. The staff are expert at what they do. Just watching them prepare your drink is pure entertainment. If you can't find anything on the menu, they will suggest a drink to suit your taste. The venue is standing room only, so it gets crowded with only a dozen or so people, but is well worth a visit. I love taking interstate and overseas visitors here, this place never fails to impress.... Even the secret lane where it is situated adds to its mystique. It's not really hard to find, but it's door is well hidden. Well worth the effort. One of my favourite bars.

A couple months back I wrote the following email to a fellow egg white cocktail lover after having a truly incredible, nothing-could-make-it-more-perfect Chicago Fizz at Bar Americano in Melbourne. It pretty much sums up my feeling on the place. SUBJECT: Chicago Fizz (or, egg white based cocktails make me think of you.) DATE: 6 September 2011 Can we practice making these next time we're in the same hemisphere? I had one tonight and it was amazing; best cocktail I've had this quarter. I think you'll like it too! -- Other firm favourites on the menu include the Clover Club, Blood and Sand and the eponymous Americano. Visit a cash point and withdraw generously before ducking into this dark den - it's the only form of payment they accept and I think it's fairly unlikely that you'll stop at just one drink so you're going to need plenty of it.

The gross negligence of this business in failing to pay its workers their legally-entitled penalty rates for work on weekends and holidays is astonishing. This is absolutely vile.

We found the best bar in Melbourne. No really, it's the best bar in Melbourne. It has all the features I admire in a bar: fancy inventive cocktails made professionally by an interesting bartender, standing room only to disencourage distasteful patrons and enforce high turnover, a touch of the American interior decorating saloon style, a menu with the heft and weight of a book which explains the history of the bar and other tidbits, hard to find, dim lighting, no bookings, no photos (hell yeah) and tiny intimate space with soft jazz flowing in the background. Yes this is my type of bar. You'll love this place if you're a couple or go in with a plus one, you won't like it if you're some single someone on the prowl for a pickup. This is not a bar you spend all night in, this is one of those bars you must drop by as part of your nightly bar crawl and then move on. You want to experience this place but not lounge here. There will be a wait time if they're busy because it's so small. It's so very cool cat in here, you'll forget the world outside until the time comes to leave. We ordered two delicious cocktails which you start a tab on and pay at the end. The bartender is very knowledgeable, professional and friendly to talk to, if you feel like it. You should watch the bartender whip up your drink, that is a spectacle in itself. You can see the finesse involved. I loved it here and I will skulk back in here unnoticed the next time I'm in town.

For some reason, I even felt like not writing a review on Bar Americano in order to uphold the secrecy of it. It's hidden, off the beaten path, and I feel like that is something to cherish; like when Alice fell down the rabbit hole. I walked in and didn't realize the size of the establishment I had just set foot in. It's very intimate. With the music, the drinks, the decor, I wouldn't have it any other way. No bookings & No photos. I didn't even want to take out my phone. Mostly because it just seems wrong to do here. It's like as if walking through the doors of Bar Americano, you step through a time travel portal and are now in 1920's New York. The age of Jazz & Roaring Twenties. I have always wanted to be part of that time period, and being here made me feel that way. All that was missing was to dress the part. Cocktails are $20 and up, but they are worth every drop. I can't decide if watching the bartender make drinks looks either like a form of art, or like a mad scientist creating a new invention...

This place is like the Brooklyn Standard in Brisbane , down this little lane way down near the dumpsters. We weren't allowed to take photos inside or the drinks themselves . It is a very small venue holding 10 maximum and its standing room only. It's quite a cosy and unique cocktail bar.

Really wanted to like this place but found that the cons far outweighed the pros! Ever tried to hold a party for 20 in a closet? Well me neither and there's a reason for that! Bar Americano is only worth visiting with a maximum of 3 people...any more than that and you'll find yourself standing with your friends in a straight line playing Chinese whispers. On a positive note the bartender I had was very good with his cocktail recommendation!

When I grow up, I want to have a little room inside my house just like Bar Americano. There will be lots of hand cut ice, a nicely curated collection of of booze, vintage crystal glasses, little dishes of savoury pumpkin seeds to nibble on, beautiful wooden shelves to prop myself against, room for only 20 standing guests, and a coffee machine for the times when I don't feel like drinking gin (which, for the record, does actually exist). Some soft music playing in the background will complete the picture - not too chilled out, and not too upbeat. There must also be a good looking bartender who will be required to wear a white coat and tell me all about the interesting combinations of spirits going in to my drink. It's not too much to ask, is it?

Struggling to find this place? DON'T GIVE UP! Teeny tiny, petite, compact, minute, small. What this place lacks in size makes up for in pure deliciousness. I don't even bother reading the menu to be honest. Just tell the barman what you like - and don't stop at flavours...tell them random words and I guarantee you will still be served one of the best cocktails you'll ever taste. And it's also one of the best stereotypical bars (read: hidden, laneways, cocktails, mystery) to take visitors to Melbourne. My London friends adore it and still talk about it. Let it go people - it's my local, not yours.

The space may be small (it's essentially inside a corridor, and for this reason it only has space for about 20 standing souls) but don't let that deter you. This is one of the best venues for a quick pre-dinner aperitivo anywhere in the CBD - if you can find a space to squeeze in. The eponymous Americano cocktail is a standout favourite, as are their Aviation and Chicago Fizz. Try and get in at or before 5:15pm on most weeknights to secure a spot, and beware the crowd during the early evening on Fridays and Saturdays. As with bigger brother Der Raum in Richmond, be mindful of the preparation time your drink will require - however, the wait is well worth it.

There is a small corner in my father's front yard that has struggled to grow anything for a number of (undisclosed) years. This is the corner where gin and I ended our fledgling friendship rather spectacularly on my eighteenth birthday. Needless to say, gin and I are no longer on speaking terms, so Bar Americano and I were going to start out on the wrong foot from the very beginning. Nevertheless, I had been wanting to visit Bar Americano for quite some time (not in the least because of the positive reviews here). I wanted to like this bar so very much - I do adore its decor and style, and the Tabacchi sign above the door made me ache for my misspent youth in Italy - but my falling out with gin and my wariness of rum (unlike the wall of silence between me and gin, rum and I talk occasionally and get on reasonably well, when we are both in the mood) make this difficult. Thanks to a shoe-related wardrobe malfunction, I arrived flustered and late to meet a couple of friends who had been there long enough to have had a less than pleasant encounter with the bartender who had responded to a vodka-based drink request with a snarky comment about not being the kind of place where you come to get drunk. This was a really rude thing to say, as there is nothing about my friends to suggest that they were drunk-seeking rabble-rousers, nor does drinking vodka necessarily signify that you are out to get blotto. Vodka has its own flavours and complexities - just ask the staff at Borsch, Vodka and Tears! A second bartender served me, and he was much friendlier about the whole situation, explaining their their selection is based upon a classic cocktail list. He was reasonably helpful about my aversions to alcohols that provide the basis for the vast majority of their drinks at the same time he wasn't providing any clear solutions for my thirst issue. Personally I like a little down time with a detailed menu as it makes me less flustered (reading is soothing), but, hey, kudos for the personal touch. I understand and appreciate what this bar is trying to do, but I've never really been a fan of the kind of places where I need to be schooled in a special brand of etiquette or a secret code before going.* I was expecting chilled out quirk in a delightfully cramped space; what I got was frustrated in a delightfully cramped space. Being a sucker for punishment, I probably will try come here again sometime, but probably when it is quiet and I can have a longer chat to the bartender (the nice little one, not the mean one) about their drinks list. *That being said, my frustrations here will probably serve as your schooling for the etiquette and code before you go.

When it comes to ambiance, envision the teeny tiny locker room of a Victorian era health club. Bartenders wear old school pharmacist coats, and the menu is a little paper book that has a limited selection of surprisingly wallet-friendly (~$12) drinks. That is, if you're lucky enough to get in and see it all. Bar Americano is hidden deep within a dead-end alleyway, per usual in Melbs, and the gate is shut once the bar has 10 occupants. I wouldn't make this place a destination for the end of the night, but it's a good pick following dinner and before things get weird...

Tiny and special. The staff are down to Earth, charming and are likely to have a genuine chat with you. Food is traditionally Italian, minimal ingredients of the best quality. Coffee is perfect. Pricey for a cafe, but you're paying for the intimate space, elegance and the fact it's tucked away from the city buzz.

Solo travellers or people looking to sneak off to appreciate a quiet drink - take note: this place is pretty much made for you. In fact I like to imagine that Don Draper would stand at the door, put down his suitcase, and the bartender would have his glass of scotch ready and waiting by the time he loosened his necktie. A standing room only style (with only a handful of small stools), this is not the place to bring a group of friends to drink and chat loudly. This is a place to go and appreciate great cocktails. If you're on your own and looking for some amusement, this is a great place to stop in and have a chat to the bartenders over a glass of your favourite. Just don't bring your iPhone in for the sole purpose of entertainment. This is a classy establishment and they don't dig that. A little eye contact never killed anyone, right?Besides, it kills my Don Draper fantasy. If you're a group of 2-3 and don't mind making news friends due to close proximity, I would say go hang here too. I've had the hot tip from a Negroni lover that these guys bust out one of the best in Melbourne. Which is extremely high praise from someone who may have sampled them all.

This is such a remarkable little place. I needed somewhere divine that was open before 5pm on a weekday. I needed an amazing cocktail. And I needed a bit of Melbourne's classic laneway exploration. And then I found Bar Americano. Well, ok, I didn't find it as much as WENT ON A HUNT for it once I'd read a couple of reviews. Bar Americano isn't the kind of place you'd easily stumble across. I awkwardly stepped through the door to find myself in a tiny room, me and two other punters on one side of the bar and two dapper gents in white on the other side, mixing up a storm. After a coffee? No thanks, I'll take something alcoholic, I'm on holidays. One of the dapper gents explained the idea of the seasonal menu being themed around a particular cocktail book (which you can purchase at the bar) and once I'd settled on a particularly appealing-looking sloe gin cocktail I relaxed and took the place in a bit more. I watched the cocktail magic happen and it tasted just as I expected it would--outstanding. NO CREDIT CARDS and NO PHOTOS are the rules outlined here, so boo to all the photos that have been uploaded from inside Bar Americano. I'm normally crazy on the shutter but I loved and respected the rule here, and later chuckled under my breath as two ladies were told (very politely, mind you) to put their cameras away.

10 people fit in the bar at one time. It's small, it's low key, and it is big and cool in every way. This is a place where you go to enjoy a proper drink. You don't go here to Instagram pictures of you gulping down strawberry-tini's with the girls or a frothy beer with the dudes. This place is sophisticated and unpretentious at the same time. They explain what the bar is about, what the drinks are about, an experience that they are trying to give you. It's small enough so that they can speak to each patron and make you feel welcome and to enjoy your drink. The boozy drinks are delicious and very well made. You can tell that they are made with love and passion for the drink.

Quite small and narrow but still cozy nonetheless. Knickerbocker cocktail is highly recommended.

There is not one thing I can say to fault my experience with you guys! You are in the middle of the city near the station, the food was AMAZING, the price was reasonable, and the service was fantastic and the waitresses were well....very polite :) I will be coming back. Dan

Just in case you are starting to feel comfortable walking yourself down the laneways to find your hidden gems, I am going throw this one at you - found at the end of a double laneway! While you will be served a fine coffee during the day you really want to come here from around 4pm and ask the barmen for a cocktail. Always an intimate experience, and in a location that will prompt you to always adventure around every other corner.

I don't get it. I love trendy bars and love hipster nonsense!!! But I would have been perfectly fine never trying to come here. My drinks tasted super sugary, tiny and not worth the try. Would definitely never come back and would tell people not to waste their time with all the other options available. The lance is small only stands about the 10. Maybe that's half the fun?

What a great little cocktail bar. I am a fan of purists and perfectionists and Bar Americano fulfils both requisites. It is a little bit tricky to find, particularly as the bartender (I observed) is quite happy to watch people wander around looking confused while waiting to see if that can find the "fairly obvious" door. A small amusement. If you want to find it though, it really isn't that hard and walking inside reveals a quite plain room, lined with small wall-mounted benches and very little else. The bartender presides in his kitchen which takes a third of the room and will happily chat or leave you to your own devices. Whiel the cocktails are what this place is about, they're going to get the least attention in my review. They are divine and clearly a great deal of effort has gone in to making them exactly right. My only complaint is that there is a lack of stools which discourages loitering, I expect this is by design... but I like loitering. Definitely go, but in small groups :)

Masters of all things gin- which makes me a happy woman. Endearing space where all the patrons and bar tenders are keen for a chat about all things Melbourne. I gave the bar tender a little bit of direction on what I liked and let him do the rest, which was such a treat. Can't wait to come back here for another post-work tipple.

Finally! I've made it down to the Americano. It's very Ironic when all things are considered, as I've probably strolled past numerous times without the realisation. This little space, and it is little, it looks like an umbrella room of a swish and swank hotel foyer. It reminds me of the room, or the one I have Imagined, That Alice descends into upon her foray and adventures in Wonderland. It's Brass and wooden panelling, The classic black and white checked floor, and and inspired place for what it is. Definitely Aperitivo time, ( a snippet of European Culture.) Schumann. In short, one the best cocktails I've tried in quite some time; Fresh orange juice and an amaro variation frothed to absolute hedonistic heaven! It's the bizzness and the hotttness; it's some wizard, it's on game. Americano, is well worthy of the visit down, to investigate some drinks you may not be familiar with. Soft echo's of far-away jazz waft gently down from the innards of the venue. Rad-tastic amazing business cards, and some extremely fetching bar staff. If the drinks don't warm you, they just might.

What an absolute gem of a find. When you try to find this spot you could easily be fooled it doesn't exist, but it so does! Tucked down a lane off little Collins. The cocktails here are outstanding. Don't ask me what I had as the mixologist simply asked me what I like and created a masterpiece that hit the mark. He did the same for my husband with the same results. Our drinks were served in these old school crystal tumbler and champagne saucer. Likewise the spirits are kept in crystal decanters with silver tags. Staff are professional and entertaining. Don't tell too many people, this bar could fit maximum 20 people at any one time.

I was introduced to this place fairly recently and will be forever thankful I was (cheers James!). With only room for 10 standing in the bar (after 5pm) you will experience something akin to a small speakeasy as 40's music & jazz, dim lighting, excellent service and the 'spectacle' of watching an experienced mixologist at work. The cocktails being a flat $22.50 means you know what you're in for as its pay at the end. Now, when I say cocktails I mean old school cocktails that you sip and sit (or stand!) on! I am currently working my way through them via the helpful chart in their menu showing you the placement of the drinks on a sweet/sour/dry/spicy! If you arrive at a busy time you may have to wait outside on the crates for a couple spaces to open up inside but it is well worth the wait! Though not a place to hol up for the evening it is the perfect place to stop, enjoy the experience and be glad you're in Melbourne! :-)

A very chill discreet little bar to drop in and grab a drink at. MAX SEATING 11 PEOPLE so bring only your best friends. Bartender knew what he was doing and gave great recommendations. Nothing too fancy, but he knew most of the classics and you can't go wrong with classics. Standing room only so don't drop in after a day of walking like I did. My feet were killing me and even though I would've liked to stay for another drink I didn't have the strength nor enough cash. It's a cash only bar. Cheers!

This is brilliant. Talented bar men. Amazing to watch and super friendly. Go back and try them all.

My friend and I found this accidentally while searching for craft beer & live music at midnight, and hitching onto a group of four other guys searching the alleyways for this bar, just before midnight. There was neither craft beer nor live music, it's not cheap or spacious, but forget all that because there are nice staff and great drinks, a delightfully chilled and cozy place to cap off a weekend night, and the antidote for big, noisy, rowdy, loud & crowded pubs with drink and food specials that are never accessible at the time you're there. This place felt more like a theme-camp van oasis serving drinks at Burning Man.

Love this place. Understated cool for those who love their drinks, not posing. It does get cramped but that's part of the magic - wink then talk to your fellow imbibers who know they're onto a good thing. If there were seats I'd stay all night ... But have to share it around.

It doesn't get much better than this. No, it's not actually an American bar. But, the bartender told us that it draws a pretty heavily American crowd. What can I say? Like moths to the flame, we are attracted to easy-going places that mix up classic cocktails in a friendly atmosphere, taking us back to those back alley, prohibition-era joints. True, none of us actually lived through prohibition, but it is etched in the American culture and imagination. So, there is your explanation. But, maybe you want to know what the place is actually like? Well, it is standing room only, fits maybe 8 at a time, with very competent, and highly educated bartenders who know not only the classics, but can also improvise to suit your predilections. I think I've said enough. Best to keep this place a sneaky little secret.

My new favorite bar! Hands down the best bar in Melbourne if your are looking for especially personal service and intimate setting. Which is exactly what we got there last night. After leaving the Butterfly Lounge, we walked a few meters and ended up here. As we were the only patrons there at that point, we got to chat to the mixologists who created our drinks to our tastes and everytime I ordered a cocktail they delighted me with new cocktail. The bar was soon packed (10 people max) and our group had to politely take cigarette breaks so other people can enjoy a drink. It scares me to think how much money we spent there that night but it was comply worth it. Will recommend this place to everyone who is going to visit or living in Melbourne.

Standing room only is a cute idea but on a cold winters night when your paying $20+ for a cocktail (woah those cocktails are good) I prefer having a nice seat to relax on. Yes, that's right - you need to stand up! The place is so small it doesn't have room to sit even if they provided chairs. One thing that I do love about the place is the coffee - really nice to sit on a milk crate in the alley way outside on a sunny day and feel like you have the entire place to yourself (and you often do). They also have a nice little gallery / art box the size of a shoe box on the outside which regularly changes it's exhibition! So cool. I like taking people here for a quick drink on the way to other bars.

Bar Americano has been around for over a year now and is tucked away on Presgrave Place off of Little Collins Street in the Melbourne CBD. It was conceived by Matthew Bax of Der Raum fame. The first time I went on the hunt for this small bar, I had intentions to purchase coffee. When I finally found the establishment, it was closed however since the abandoned first visit, Bar Americano has started trading daily, not only opening at the crack of dawn for coffee (with a tipple if you desire) and staying open late to satisfy those who crave the best spirits available. On one particularly boozy yet relaxing Saturday afternoon, after frequenting the Hairy Canary I presented myself at Bar Americano with one other with the intention to drink cocktails with impunity. This venue is the smallest bar that I have ever been fortunate enough to enter and that is an understatement. To say that fifteen drinkers would be comfortable in this place at any given time is a reach. At its peak on this visit, there were eight people in this small room yet it was comfortable and buzzing with great music being played but not at a level which distracts you from the ambiance and more importantly, conversation. Being confined, customers converge around the bar and actually do something that is a bit odd - strangers speak with one another in a civilised way. After living in Sydney for the majority of my adult life, you are not used to such a practice when normally you are drinking in institutions blaring doof-doof and noise so loud that you can not speak without shouting. Sometimes I have to pinch myself and remind myself that I am in Melbourne and not Sydney where the notion of pleasant conversation is not something that is frowned upon. There is a single bar person on duty at a given time. Considering both the facilities available and the space that service is constrained to, the professionalism consistently shines through. The talent that it takes to mix cocktails (whilst juggling the demands for random orders of coffee and conversing with guests) in such small confines is always impressive. There is an amusing sign on the wall that suggests not to order a latte after 2:00 PM (although I notice that it appears and disappears randomly) as the refusal of service often offends. This is an apt sign however lattes were still prepared after this milestone once but it never impacted the production of alcohol-based pleasures or the conversation with the bartender. True class. The walls are tiled to mimic Flinders Street Station from a bygone era when Do Not Spit was emblazoned for all to see. Given that the venue attracts some wayward characters like the piano player from one of the local brothels, investment bankers and tourists perhaps the reminder is apt. On my visits to this back lane boozer, I have always instructed the bartender to make whatever they feel like and I have not been disappointed. I hate to recommend this place as I want it to be one of the hidden secrets that I can attend without a mob of people but as I have found, with the exception of bars on Chapel and King Streets, I really do not have to worry because everyone that I have met in this classy boozer has been fun, interesting and worth getting to know. Bar Americano frequently puts on special cocktail evenings with guest bartenders. It is worth contacting Der Raum and becoming a member in order to receive a discount on these special and infrequent nights if you want attend one of these sought after events. On recent weekends of debauchery where I needed to entertain out of town guests, Bar Americano was a featured destination where the bar impressed. It featured in one of my "best of" hedonistic drinking staggers around Melbourne and also was a destination of choice to follow-up a recent experience at Movida Aqui, along of course with Der Raum.

Awesome small bar with amazing cocktails! Went twice both in the afternoons and was a nice quiet place to get a drink. Recommend the Aviator cocktail!

This place is brilliant! Designed based on old american cocktail bars, there is so much to look at and take in here. Especially all the drinks which are all stored in decanters rather than normal bottles, giving the place a really unique feel. And the cocktails themselves are incredible!

Excellent cocktails good for standing only so people tend to move in/out, service was decent by knowledgable and passionate barkeep. Music at easy conversation level.

An interesting place that makes fantastic cocktails. Very obscure location and tiny premises however the service is terrific and the quality of drink consumed is awesome. Great for a pre dinner aparetivo. Very relaxing vibe a standout place. Enjoyable to say the least.

Serious alley way bar in the heart of Melbourne CBD. Can be there for a quick espresso or have an after work drink with very unique cocktail list. Style is a 1920's kinda bar very intimate ( as in only license for 10-12 people) and no chairs to sit on it's a very cool twist to a bar!

I have never had a better Gibson in my life: small, yes, but perfectly formed. Just like the bar, really, which is tiny and like a keyhole you tumble through into a different world. If you like copper, you'll love Bar Americano.

as speakeasy as it gets - no cameras - all business - enjoy the experience

Fantastic experience. Bartender was engaging and passionate about his drinks. Drinks were delicious classics. Princeton was amazing. Being small 10 ppl max) and hidden really works for this place.