This site aims to expose the secrets of the vibrant Melbourne night life to residents and visitors. We strive to provide reviews of bars and restaurants only after we have been to them and experienced the place for ourselves.
We have mapped the bars and restaurants reviewed so as to take the hassle out of finding the venue and to assist in the successful planning of a night out. Also we offer some Chasers to help plan a night out where we suggest several places to experience in an evening.
Finally, please feel free to leave a comment or email us and challenge our reviews or to tell us about somewhere new. We are always looking for new places to experience.
For further information go to the About page
Bar: Hairy Canary
One of the originals of the scene, this bar has a strong history of knowing how to have a good time. A small venue in a central location which is always going off makes a great place for a stop while touring bars.
Location:
212 Lt Collins St, Melbourne (CBD)
Difficulty Finding:
- Easy, just walk up the hill from Swanston St along Little Collins St and its on your left.
Summary:
- Type: Cocktails
- Food: Tapas
- Music: Lounge Music
- Cover: No Cover
Review:
Hairy Canary has long been a favourite of Melbournians. When you enter the bar there will be always someone else in there other than staff; any day of the week. Come 9pm and the place is quite often pretty full later in the week. This is due to the friendly atmosphere; which is much more prevalent when they have time to talk to you. Compared to other bars around it is probably a bit smaller than most which contributes to it filling up so quickly. Although you can’t blame them for being small as when they started out they probably weren’t sure if this whole bar culture would take off and become as popular as it is today.
This place is a classic old school cocktail bar; well crafted cocktail list, some tapas to snack on no beer to speak of. Not that you’d really come here to drink beer anyway. Once you’ve managed to find a seat (which can definitely be a challenge) you can quite quickly get settled in and forget what time it actually is. Then when you come start to realise just how long you’ve been there you can either make your way home; or due to its great location in the CBD make your way to the next destination.
Final Thoughts:
A classic Melbourne bar that shows what the bar scene started with. It is also a great place to go to see why we’re so spoilt for choice when places like Hairy Canary opened our eyes to the possibilities of bar culture.
Pro’s:
+ Strong heritage
+ Central location
+ Lively atmosphere
Con’s:
- Hard to get a seat
- Service can be compromised when busy
- Hit and miss sometimes with service
Score:
Atmosphere: Good
Service: Average
Menu: Average
Cost: Good
———————-
Overall: Good
Bar of the Month:
Restaurant/Bar of the Month:
Featured Chaser:
Follow Us:
[...] By Rob Categories: Beer, Cocktail, DJ, Lounge Music, No Cover and Resteraunt Hairy Canary has a younger sibling who is more Spanish, larger and funkier. This bar offers up the tastes of [...]