Set within the old St Kilda railway station, this is a funky bar with a cheeky difference. Verdant palms surround the outdoor terrace, which heaves with glam bar-goers.
This iconic watering hole set in a former railway terminus is one stop not to be missed. Hidden away from St Kilda's main drag, the Metropol is a stomping ground for Melbourne's cut-loose party set, seduced by flowing beer and funked-up DJ sounds.
Shaded by leafy palms, the sprawling terrace area is arguably one of Melbourne's biggest and most prominent beer gardens. Its legendary status even earned it a cameo appearance in the well-known Aussie drama
The Secret Life of Us.
By day, glam sippers sit around the outdoor tables indulging in bistro meals and bottles of pinot noir. As the afternoon morphs into night, however, the mercury rises and DJs fill the deck with funky house tunes.
While the outdoor terrace swells with punters, the interior stays calm and distinctly European in style, decorated with cosy lounges and an oversized open fireplace. It's a prime spot to order up tempting bar snacks and casually browse the impressive drinks list.
Beer-guzzlers can snap up cheap pots between 6 and 8pm every Friday, and for the more refined sippers, Thursday's wine-tasting night offers up half-priced vinos. A good selection of cocktails is also available, with mojitos the specialty.
Victoria Brooks
