Cherry

The staff and atmosphere are awesome, if you are looking for a friendly dive bar with live music. The sound quality in the upstairs band room is great. I didn't look for food and didn't see anyone eating. Bar prices are reasonable and what you would expect from a bar that isn't aiming at the rich/fancy demographic.

Came here to see The Plot Twist live - they were amazing! Reasonably priced drinks and great service

Elle and nick are both good bartenders they are very friendly lads….served everyone with excellent hospitality….i would love to recommend them to my friends… cheeers keep the great work up

My friend and I ended up at Cherry Bar, one of the few spots open in our area at the time. The place had a lively vibe, practically bursting with energy from street level, which piqued our interest. Once inside, we headed upstairs and found the crowd to be older and grungier than we anticipated, and the noise level was simply too high for us. I ordered a vodka lime soda but left before I could even finish it. A local band was playing; they weren’t bad, and there was a good crowd on the dancefloor, but everyone had to shout to be heard over the deafening music. Honestly, this bar wasn’t a good fit for me. It caters to those who appreciate rock and grunge in a less polished setting. If that's your scene, you might enjoy it, but it wasn't for me, hence the 2/5 rating!

Used to be a great place, but like most places in Melbourne now, it's changed and very discriminative. Full of drunk, horny men that are allowed to do as they please, but if you're a woman, the security will accuse you of being drunk and give you attitude.

Visited the place a few times and always had a good time. However, a recent incident involving theft left us a little baffled. Worse still, was that it was perpetrated by one of the staff at the bar. We were sitting in a corner, when a person randomly grabbed the cap off one of us and ran out. My friend had to give chase outside the bar, confronting the person to return his cap. The person who stole the cap then returned it and confessed that she thought my friend had stolen the cap from her friend and was getting it back for her. She then apologised and confessed that she works at the bar itself. While it makes for a bizarre story with a neutral outcome later, it’s really unsettling that patrons of the bar could be attacked anytime by workers as a form of vigilantism. What if my friend was intimidated, or too drunk to give chase? Or if it lead to a more dangerous/confronting situation that turned violent? It’s really quite unprofessional, and the bar needs to take more responsibility in ensuring patrons are not made to feel unsafe or harassed.

A dark and welcoming venue where it feels like all are welcome. Went along for live music upstairs. Was a great space - cosy, intimate and full of character. Look forward to returning.

I have to be the worst customer haha... But the staff here (mainly the manager guy... With the hair? I dunno)... Are amazing. They handle people well, they provide good drinks and the staff love their job. Music is always on point. Just one opinion but I love the cherry bar 🍻

This was a rather nice and friendly bar, and I managed to get in just as it opened. I did quite like the atmosphere, it was rather nice, though I can't say that it was really a favourite. In fact, I'd probably consider it to be one of those hidden gems that I so quite like. There were some rather nice beers on tap, which I though was pretty cool, and they also have a rather nice upstairs function area as well. Yeah, while this wasn't necessarily the best of the bars that I have visited, it still certainly did have some charm.

When I travel I always search for a dive bar. I was in town for a blink 182 concert and wanted some pre show drinks. Found the cherry bar and I loved this place ! Dark. Dirty. Divey. Just my type of place. The bartenders were awesome. Happy hour had $6 house beers. Highly recommend this spot if you're in Melbourne.

Hands down the most rock n roll bar in the world. The staff is amazing! There are plenty of different areas to sit to accommodate your vibe. I can't say enough good things

I'm a roadie from the states that just got off a gig. Stop by the Cherry bar at 2 AM online said they closed at 3 AM and wasn't allowed in. This used to be one of my favorite places in the world to go to. Some shit with black hair and a leather jacket. This place used to be cool Fucking sellouts.

American Alert 100 percent my kind of place. If you're looking for a Portlandy type of dive bar this is your starting point. Very strong inexpensive drinks. Sassy tenders behind the bar. It gets pretty rowdy throughout the night. Spend some time here and ask locals where to go in the neighborhood.

Found in a random alley downtown, you'll stumble across the most varied crowd you may ever encounter, in queue for Cherry Bar. From gothy Mohawk-touting twentysomethings, bulky tattooed metalheads, beanie-headed hipsters, and skater/surfer dudes, to middle aged lawyers on a night out, this joint's got it all. Definitely no discrimination up in here! The tunes on the night I hit the bar were all classic rock, so we were all dancin to the likes of T Rex, The Doors, and Zeppelin. To the right, the stage, which was funner to watch than any band could possibly have taken to it. The patrons flock to the stage and boy do they put on a show, I'm talkin lip synching, dancing crazily, air guitar, all of it! Grab a $5 pot, and many more, from the bar then take to the dance floor. Beware, sticky floor and glass everywhere, no joke, but damn is it a good time or what. Rock out til the early morn!

Melbourne has always prided itself on being the home of Rock & Roll. With so many world-dominating bands hailing from our fair town, we know we breed the best here, and wear the badge with pride. Whether you have been a rock pig all your life, or only discovered it when you saw Pink wearing an Aerosmith T-Shirt, head on down to Cherry Bar and have yourself a time... Open from 5 until very very late, this place blends live music and "Rock DJ's" effortlessly to create a place that has fast become a venue that people go whether they know who's playing or not. That said, if you do want to check out your favourite band here, get in early, as chances are you'll be left waiting in the alley to be let n if you arrive too late. All live music stops at 11:30pm sharp, and the DJ's take over to sound system to play a great mix of 70's, 80's and 90's rock tunes and the whole venue becomes a massive dance floor. Known for turning away people that are too well dressed, Cherry Bar hosts a good mix of local rock bands and the odd international act doing a "secret side show" whilst on tour. It's also the place that most touring bands choose to hit for their after parties, so you never know who you'll see at Cherry Bar. As a musician who has played here many times, the staff knows how to treat a band. Whilst other venues treat the bands like an annoying pest, Cherry Bar know who brings their bread and butter and treats the bands accordingly. Drinks are at decent prices, and you can head out to the alley to smoke and still hear the music.

Went to listen to a local band play and the place was packed out. They support local and international artists and a friend's band was going overseas so booked a fundraiser here. Everyone seemed to be really easy going, place seemed to be full of regulars and though the floors were sticky at the end of the night, there were many laughs, drinks and happy faces. Yes, there were some crazy people dancing like nutters but hey what do you expect when you go down a dark alleyway?! Good music and prices that don't break the bank.

It is the first time that I have ever been to a bar like this and I freaking LOVE it! Its such a badass bar with cool, punk people. The inside decor is really dark anf might not be for everyone but if you're looking for a place that has rock/oldies playing, Go!

This place might be small but wow! The line up they have every week end is fantastic. Staff are attentive. Neat tidy plus you get to party on AC/DC lane. A must went you have visitors in town. Close to all the great restaurants the city has to offer.

The Cherry Bar would have to be the most overrated bar in Australia! I have given this place multiple chances over the years and while I have never enjoyed the place, it just keeps getting worse every time I go back. I can not think of a single positive thing to say about the place! Now, before I start, I want to just say a few things so that people can see that Im reviewing this objectively: 1. I have never been kicked out of the Cherry Bar 2. I have never been refused entry to the Cherry Bar 3. I dont know the owner and dont even know who they are 4. I dont know any of the bar staff or security staff and dont have any personal issue with any of them or anyone else involved with the Cherry Bar 5. I normally give positive reviews - my average review is 4 stars 6. I am covered in tattoos and used to have long hair - thus I fit into the "rock n roll" look required in a bar like this 7. I like a lot of bars and pubs similar to this - but just not this one 8, A lot of my friends like the place and frequent it a lot - Ive tried to like it but just cant Ive been to the Cherry Bar numerous times over the years and back in the day the problems would start at the front door. The usual conversation with the bouncer would go as follows: Me: Hello Bouncer: Its a private function Me: no its not - its the Cherry Bar Bouncer: ok - go in Now what on earth is the point in playing mind games with patrons when you are just going to let them in anyway???? It just antagonizes people for no reason whatsoever and creates a vibe of aggression... Then, if I was with anyone more clean cut looking, they wouldnt want to let them in and Id have to talk them into letting them in (which to be fair, they did). As I mentioned earlier, Ive never been refused entry but this sort of thing is just a pain in the arse to have to put up with and leaves a very bad taste in peoples mouths. The last time I went there was earlier this year. Now this time the bouncer was fine - he let me in with a smile!!!! But then the problem started a metre later with the woman collecting the cover charge. The cover charge was $10 - which like all cover charges is simply a licence to spend more money in a venue... The woman insisted on giving me a stamp on my wrist - even though I didnt want one. I was happy to pay the cover charge and since I dont smoke, I had no need to go outside and get back in - yet she insisted on the stamp. So I held out my left arm for the stamp and then she insisted that the stamp go on the right wrist as opposed to the left!!!!! I can never ever remember something so pedantic in a pub!!!! Once inside, the story is exactly the same every time: 1. It is simply way to loud to actually hear anything anyone says to you - there is no way of having a conversation in this place because the music is far too loud 2. EVERY SINGLE TIME I have been there I have had drug dealers offering to sell me drugs. I dont go out for this and shouldnt have to put up with it. The police would do well to raid this place. 3. Inside, the place absolutely stinks. It feels like it has never ever been ventolated in its entire lifespan! 4. As Jackie D has mentioned, there are milk crates for seating - you would think that by charging a $10 cover charge they would have the money to buy chairs of some sort......... 5. A large percentage of the crowd are absolutely obnoxious, pretentious and way too cool - even by rock n roll standards! There is an obvious arrogance amongst a lot of this crowd - but I really cant see hanging out in a stinking cesspool like the Cherry Bar as something to be proud of - let alone arrogant about!!!! In conclusion, I understand that the Cherry Bar plays on the idea of being a "dive bar" but I think that other reviewers are being far too tolerant of this aspect. I the place had only one of its negative attributes such as the smell, the milkcrates, the cover charge, the toilets, the drug dealers, the staff etc, then Ive got no issue with it, but when every single aspect of the pub is like this then I must question it. Personally, I believe that the place lacks a simple element of self respect and Im amazed that people are actually so tolerant of it - let alone give it 4 or 5 stars!!!! But, whatever floats your boat... Last time I went there was because it was the only chance to catch up with a friend from interstate who was only in Melbourne for one night and had heard of the place but never been before. And yet again it was still awful - nothing had changed. Unless I am paid to do so, I will not be going back to the Cherry Bar.

Cherry is the ultimate dive bar in all of Melbourne. Dark lighting, milk crates for seats and a whole bunch of rockers. On any given night you could find uni students, rock-a-billies, bangin' babes and maybe even an international rockstar or two (Metallica stopped by after their last tour, as did Queens of the Stone Age.) The music is what one would call "alternative", definitely no top 40 hits or house music here! The back room, which is much smaller, contains a juke box which features some of the best of the 80's and 90's (think Alice Cooper and Bon Jovi.) But on Thursday's this place turns in to the super sexy SOUL night. I highly recommend attending on a Thursday, it will be a good way to 'ease you in' to the Cherry experience. Girly Girls pay attention - the toilets are RANK as you could probably imagine but I think that's all part of the "cherry experience." I absolutely love this place, but I can definitely understand that it wouldn't be everyone's cup-a-tea.

Cherry Bar is probably the closest thing to an authentic dive bar in Melbourne, with a rock twist. Yeah its dark, hard to find and in a laneway with a badass name. And this adds to the cool factor. You can pretty much bet that any decent rock or metal band will end up having an after party here, or at least have a few band members and crew sucking back a couple beers and tequila shots. The nights get really fun when they open up the back bar, and you find yourself doing shots of Jaeger with a Norwegian and an American as Freebird plays on the old school jukebox. Hells yeah. Actually prefer this place on quieter weeknights when less poseurs are around. Shockingly.

Great drinks, awesome bartenders, cheap drinks, best jukebox selection. Has two types of bars inside. One for more groups and dancing and the back room for people that wanna be more intimate and hang with their buddies with leopard fur seating etc.

In line with what others have said, I concur: this is not a date-spot this is NOT posh this is a dive bar ...and bars are made for drinking! That said, there's a special part of this rock-n-roll, dirty, gritty even, hidden morsel of dancing, time-traveling goodness...that is all that is listed above and how well it fits with the tastes of rockers. Now I'm not referring to myself as a rocker. Nor do I mean the obvious denizens of such a haunt. No. I mean the groups playing the Forum and the Palace. I mean Les Claypool. I mean the Dap Kings. I mean the guys that tour, that make the music, that make the stuff that would be played here or in the homes and iPods of those rockers that listen to this stuff. For a chance to mingle with the greats, and get down and dirty in the rock spot that only rock could love, get here!

Well, apparently its popular with the younger uni-bar style crowd... lots of beer spilled, obdy cruching closeness, sweating like a sauna.... with the sound cranked loud enough to hurt, even with partially damaged hearing already. But hey, I LOVED this when I was 18... maybe you will too. Just don't ask for a smile from the bar staff - they're a little too cool for school.

well... Cherry Bar... i don't quite know what to say. It is hidden in the maze of the CBD laneways, extremely dark, the music is rock and roll played deafeningly loud (which I guess is the way rock and roll music is supposed to be played), it has an interesting mix of people and i think just about the cheapest beer in the city! Head here if you love rock n roll. Best go somewhere else if you want a few drinks and a chat.

Ordered $10 tickets online from America for a show. Was really looking forward to it. Tickets said 8, we showed up at 8 to an empty bar. Turns out the show didn't start until TEN. Ordered drinks anyway, which ended up being two virgin gin and tonics, unbeknownst to us. I live in the States so the odds of me coming here again are nil anyway, but this experience sucked.

Smells like stale wee. A not very cool mix of balding, grinning middle aged men dressed like 90s teenage grunge fans, muscle tee wearing nine to five advertising sales reps grinding their teeth a lot and black pvc clad women with dyed red hair struggling with obvious drug habits. Probably NOT the greatest rock and roll bar in the world. Did I mention it smells of wee?

Very disappointed by the bar staff upon our first eagerly anticipated visit from Sydney. Asked a pretty basic question to the female bartender regarding the tequila they had, only to receive rolling eyes and the bottle handed over to find out for myself. After she poured my drink and we paid, she just left it on her side of the bar and walked off. Had to reach over and get it myself. Drank the drink, left, never to return.

I don't get the rules the Cherry Bar operates under. Sometimes it's packed and has a line, sometimes you're the only dude in the joint, and it doesn't seem to be based on dates or time or anything. But, when you're lucky and can actually get in, it's pretty good. It's a bit too cool, in a dingy kind of way, but I'll forgive it.

A few friends and I made the mistake of going to Cherry Bar last night. After queuing for an hour we were told at the door that we couldn't get in as one of us was wearing a shirt and trousers. Apparently this contravened the "no suit" policy. "It's a rock bar" was the only justification given by the door staff. Without wishing to be pedantic, a quick glance at some of the artists who have shaped rock and roll would argue that suits and rock music are hardly oppositional entities. Johnny Cash, The Beatles, early Stones, the Specials, even Dizzy Rascal at Glastonbury, have all worn suits. Personally, I won't be returning. If you do decide to go however, dress like One Direction rather than a rock star and you might have a chance of gaining entry.

Yep the word of the day is D I V E, and yes, when you first enter it does feel like you've just plunged off a 200 meter platform straight into an abyss. It's dark, noisy and smelly, but sometimes that doesn't matter at all, when you've jiving away to soul on a Thursday night. In fact most folk are, you'd be lucky not lucky not to get trampled to death on the small dance space upfront. Generally speaking this night draws a much younger crowd- typically Uni students. (But I'm making approximations here) Anywho a friendly crowd, often resulting in being cheered by strangers instead of leered. Everyone's in a good vibe, and that results in little drama.

Terrible service, got turned away because I had a sports coat on. I guess you must be doing so well your don't need paying patrons.

Although Cherry is under redevelopment following a fire that destroyed it, the simple fact is that this rock & roll bar really isn't as great as most fans make it out to be. The fact that some people actually believe that Corporation Lane was renamed ACDC Lane due to Cherry being located upon it is just plain ridiculous, however, what is more absurd is that people still refer to this venue as alternative. Cherry was created to target those punters who wanted a place they could call alternative, however, the drinks are expensive, the lines are often far too slow and frankly, despite the fact it stays open to 4am, seeing people turned away because they're wearing a well cut suit is about as elitist as Melbourne gets.

Awesome dingy music venue down acdc lane. Eclectic group of peeps will make anyone feel comfortable!

Amazing vibe here. Passionate people into the music be it metal (first time here) or soul ( second time). Lose yourself here.

Not sure how the bar is now (after the fire), but it used to be the place to go. It's not elitist and everyone was really nice. True, the prices were not low, but honestly, the prices for alcohol are ridiculously expensive everywhere in Melbourne.

cool place we went last night very good open mic night, good vibe all sorts ages and styles,,,,,,,,,,3 stars only because drinks pricey 4 teeny shots jameson 40 dollars, but oh my the fat yak is good !!!