1806 in Melbourne, Victoria

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Telephone:	+61 3 9663 7722
Website:	www.1806.com.au
Address:	169 Exhibition St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000 Melbourne
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:	670 ftStop 7: Russell Street 680 ftStop 9: Spring Street 880 ftParliament
Categories:	Lounges Tapas/Small Plates Cocktail Bars

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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations	Yes
Delivery	No
Take-out	No
Accepted Cards	Credit, Debit
Good For	Late Night
Parking	Street
Good for Kids	No
Good for Groups	Yes
Attire	Dressy
Ambience	Intimate
Noise Level	Average
Music	Background

Good For Dancing	No
Alcohol	Full Bar
Best Nights	Wed, Thu, Sat
Coat Check	No
Smoking	No
Outdoor Seating	No
Wi-Fi	No
Has TV	No
Waiter Service	Yes
Caters	No
Has Pool Table	No

Today

Today	4:00 pm – 1:00 am Open now
Local time (Melbourne)	20:49 Friday, 30 May 2025

Business hours

Monday	5:00 pm – 1:00 am
Tuesday	5:00 pm – 1:00 am
Wednesday	5:00 pm – 1:00 am
Thursday	5:00 pm – 1:00 am
Friday	4:00 pm – 1:00 am
Saturday	5:00 pm – 3:00 am
Sunday	6:00 pm – 1:00 am

Description

Specialties

1806 is the year that the word Cocktail was first defined in print.

1806 is also the name of the internationally recognised Cocktail bar which in 2008 won an award for

«The Worlds Best Cocktail menu»

Since inconspicuously opening their doors in late 2007 this Classic styled Cocktail bar has embedded itself as a key player in the Melbourne bar scene. The aforementioned award winning cocktail menu tells the history of the world through the bottom of a glass.

There is literally a drink to suit every palate all accompanied by a short but informative anecdote regarding their origin.

The other notable thing about 1806 is our teams amazing attention to detail regarding the service they provide. With the venue being treated in the same manner as a fine restaurant you are greeted at the door and escorted to a table. Sit back, relax and enjoy as the waiters take your order and deliver your cocktails without the need for you to leave your seat.

History

Established in 2007.

Opening it’s doors in late 2007, 1806 is widely known in Melbourne’s bar scene. We pride ourselves on professional service and cocktail perfection. We have published our own cocktail book which serves not only as a menu but as a lesson in the history of cocktails.

Meet the Business Owner

Lisa K.

Business Owner

Lisa Kelly is an entrepreneur, cocktail evangelist and businesswoman. As a hospitality veteran, Lisa is an ardent supporter of new talent, and together with her consultancy company Mixology Management, provides a framework for those who wish to establish a hospitality career.

Keen for a challenge she set out to create something lasting and carve out a path or success. It’s this side of entrepreneurship that holds the most importance for Lisa-longevity and sincerity throughout every facet of her business.

This is realised in her Venue. 1806, an emporium dedicated to the celebration of alcoholic beverages, particularly the cocktail.

Related places

Nearby

Near this location:

Japanese Cafe Restaurant J

167 Exhibition St

Full House Restaurant

173-175 Exhibition St

STL Financial Services Ltd

168 Exhibition St

STL Financial

Level 8- 168 Exhibition St

Bartlett Workplace

Level 10 41 Exhibition St

Paramount Serviced Apartments

181 Exhibition St

20 reviews of 1806

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Karen F.

Place rating: 4
Adelaide, Australia

A step back in time to how they used to make cocktails, and the list is extensive. The bar used to be a theatre and the old fashioned décor and charm still remains. It was a bit awkward deciding what to order. It was pretty much a guess from what era. I had the avenue. Not bad. The staff were helpful in picking but there are too many choices. Also we were unsure where to pay after. It’s a good intimate place to visit.

Adam J.

Place rating: 4
Melbourne, Australia

I don’t know. I love this style of classy cocktail bar with table service and professional staff but it just doesn’t do it for me anymore.
When you arrive, you wait to be seated. If you’re lucky you’ll get the great comfy couch or armchair. The staff bring over water and menus.
The cocktail menu is a rather thick book organised by era. Cocktails of the prohibition era, 1930s, tiki era. It takes far too long to read through and make a decision, you feel like you’re being anti-social. It doesn’t work. Most bartenders wouldn’t know when certain drinks are made so why organise such a long menu by such a trivial thing.
The whiskey menu is done well. Information on some of the distillers then they list the variations that those distillers make.
My favourite spot is up on the top floor overlooking the bar. It’s flanked by large red curtains that make it look like a theatre show. It’s always great to watch the cocktails being made.
The staff are really friendly, helpful and polite. The venue looks great. The menu is just such a hassle it puts me off.

Margaux L.

Place rating: 4
Belgium

The 1806 is one of the best cocktail bar in Melbourne !
Famous for the atmosphere 20’s, burlesque and authentic. The bartenders are wearing suits and tie. The bar himself is decorate with theater curtains and an amazing balcony surmounts the first floor. You almost feel like a VIP.
The cocktails are INCREDIBLE !!! A great menu describes the birth of cocktails, their origins and how we mix different flavor in it.
We can also buy the recipes book of the bar with almost all the drinks we can imagine.
The service is great, not overbearing but they can easily sit for a while at your table to listen to your preferences and suggest you the best of the menu.
Definitely a recommendation. !!!

Steph F.

Place rating: 5
Melbourne, Australia

PROS
Great excellent professional service
Comfortable, unique, vintage ambiance
Great cocktails and wide range of beverages!
Definitely recommend it for soul out there who enjoy a good drink or two (don’t mind having more)
Fancy place and great to hang out
CONS
Pricey, I spend at least $ 100 for all my drinks and snacks
Limited snacks option
Limited seating and not for shots kinda place

Nhi P.

Place rating: 5
Sydney, Australia

Beautiful bar — we could definitely do with more bars like this in Sydney. The décor is just stunning and the best bit before I rave on about the drinks, is that they are table service only. This is great as they don’t compromise on the quality of the venue with the masses.
I arrived around 11pm on a Saturday and it was still absolutely buzzing. We got seats at the bar which was awesome for watching the bartenders do their thing. The most entertaining act of the night? The fire! So their mulled wine involves lighting up the wine (mixed with dark choc chips and butter) and then pouring the «fire liquid» from one steel jug to another. The drink was delicious. I also had a cocktail that night which unfortunately I don’t recall the name of but it was good! The amount of «love» in these drinks is evident from the care and attention to detail shown by the bartenders.

Lexi R.

Place rating: 3
Collingwood, Australia

Great cocktails, good vibe, comfortable group seating areas with leather armchairs, and some good nibbles for sharing. Technically all you need for a successful cocktail bar, right?
I’ve tried to dig this place but I find that it’s always a mixed crowd and fluctuates with quantity and style of people which, when combined with the longish room and group oriented seating arrangements, means it’s not a bar conducive to meeting or even brushing past the other patrons.
SO… If you’re already happy with the company, either a group or a one-on-one, then drink the night away in this stylish Melbourne gem. It’s a great first or last stop if you’re hitting the town!
BUT… If you’re looking for a bar vibe to pick up some fashion inspiration or maybe a new lover, then maybe there are better places to invest your cocktail budget.

Jennifer O.

Place rating: 5
Melbourne, Australia

Absolutely gorgeous cocktail bar and wow! what a selection they have. Even as a non-drinker I love this place. They even have mock tails, I had lemon cheesecake. The menu is presented as a book and the drinks listed in chronological order and arranged in eras, such as before and after the invention of refrigeration. It was actually quite fascinating. Someone has put in a lot of effort and research to come up with this menu. The bar is quite impressive and the décor is old timey. The service is excellent, so friendly and accommodating. We will be back!

Jen S.

Place rating: 3
Melbourne, Australia

1806 could easily earn a 5 star review if it was located in, say, the US Midwest. But this is Melbourne and there’s a lot of cocktail bar competition. 1806 has sexy seats and low lighting. However, the venue is long and open so it’s neither conducive for an intimate tryst in a private booth or for socializing with the other patrons. I’ve also found the staff to be quite ‘hands-off’ when I’ve gone here. Even to the extent of it taking a ridiculously long time to get our bill when trying to leave. (When I sit at the bar, I prefer a bit of friendly banter with the bartenders or a chance to learn something new about what they’re pouring.)
I am also a big fan of novel-like cocktail menus and 1806 rocks a lengthy one. However, I find the menu’s organization difficult to navigate. The drinks are categorized by date instead of by flavour or primary spirit. When trying to decide on a drink, I’d rather know if it’s sweet, spicy, made with tequila, etc. than if it was popularized in the 1930’s or the 1960’s.
Chalk it up to personal preference — I know a lot of people that really dig this bar. I keep trying, but 1806 just hasn’t rung my bell. When I’m looking for fancy cocktails, I’d rather go elsewhere in the city.

Christine A.

Place rating: 5
Sydney, Australia

A trip to Melbourne isn’t complete without a visit to 1806. Popped in again over the weekend and while some of the staff have changed recently as they were no longer familiar faces from our frequent visits in the past, the drinks have certainly remained as fantastic as they always were.
Sit at the bar for prime viewing of cocktail mastery in action :)

Sylvia J.

Place rating: 5
Sydney, Australia

I adored 1806. A classic, theatre themed bar with old-school leather lounges and moody (flattering) lighting. Our cocktails were very nice, I had a dirty martini and negroni, both of which they did well and the girls liked their fruity cocktails too. The bar and waitstaff know their cocktails well and were very friendly. The cocktails aren’t cheap but it is the standard price you would pay for a cocktail in major cities.
What really impressed me the most was the music… they had an awesome playlist with mixes of Chilli Peppers, Pharrell and 80s goodies like push it and ice ice baby.

Elle B.

Place rating: 4
Santa Barbara, CA

Great hidden little bar. Makes you feel like your in the Great Gatsby. Lots of traditional cocktail options.

Brad W.

Place rating: 5
Abbotsford, Melbourne, Australia

Tom Collins, a cocktail served in some kind of Aztec statue/ornament and a list spanning another dozen pages covering the last few hundred years. This place has it all.
There’s theatre goers here often, I felt under dressed as I walked in initially. It’s not a bow tie and vest required venue though.
Staff were excellent and two blokes served the entire bar and seating area the night we went here for pre and post dinner drinks. Very admirable that they still pumped out consistently awesome cocktails.
The ye olde world décor might divide some. The main draw is the cocktail list and quality of drinks though and is what I’d recommend 1806 place for.
Watch the entrance, it’s just a door and a small window. Very easy to breeze past.

Tomas Z.

Place rating: 4
Melbourne, Australia

Fantastic cocktail bar. I would always recommend getting the espresso martini and it’s one of the best in melbourne. Their menu is organised into different eras of cocktails and is well worth a browse. If your having trouble deciding what to drink the staff are full to the brim with knowledge about their drinks and will be happy to suggest something. There is also a cheeky little bar tucked within this bar called the understudy. Just head into the basement and through a tiny door and you will find it.

Danny B.

Place rating: 4
Melbourne, Australia

Its the bar you want to take your friends to and show off.
Its table service, Its posh, its well deigned, its two levels, its history, its fun, its atmosphere. Its Melbourne and I love it. Such a sweet place. The staff are very knowledgeable, and treat you with such care. They make sure your happy and are checking on the group.
We received great service and amazing drinks. My friends I was showing this place of to were really impressed and loved this place.
Highly recommended.

Glen G.

Place rating: 4
Palo Alto, CA

1806 is a place to go when you’re looking for a great cocktail. The bartenders here know their drinks and make them well.
The drinks menu at 1806 is quite interesting. The drinks are organized by era – e.g., 1650 – 1800, 1800 – 1850, etc. A little historical background is provided for each era, giving you a little context for why the drinks were created when they were.

Harrison C.

Place rating: 5
Melbourne, Australia

What a trendy little cocktail bar. We came here before my older brothers birthday dinner for a few pre-drinks. The bar has a lot of class and a LOT of cocktails.
Be careful though, drinks here are generally $ 20 a pop so I would suggest coming here first at the risk of spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars on the delicious drinks. They serve pretty much everything cocktail you can think of.
The bar has a very trendy, laid-back and fancy feel to it. I suggest that, if you haven’t been here before, you try it out at least once. Even if you don’t like cocktails, it is a must-try.

Simon M.

Place rating: 4
Kilsyth, Australia

Amazing cocktails!!!
1806 from the outside looks a little strange. red light and a slightlly creepy entrance but once you enter you will be surprised. it is an old theatre that has been transformed into a retro cocktail bar. the bar is the old stage and still has the curtains. It is table only service so the number of patrons is limited but this helps to keep the feel intimate. there is big leather sofas, leather armchairs, timber chairs and bar seating. There is more seating upstairs but i didn’t go up to see it.
The cocktail list is extensive and in 2008 won Best Cocktail List in the world!!!
The staff are very informative and really know how to make a cocktail.
They have food available on weekends like popcorn shrimp, dips and breads, hot dogs, and baked camembert. Unfortunately during the week all you can get is Jaffle’s. They are tasty but not enough to fill you up so eat before you come or stay for a drink and then head out to dinner.
Overall this place is amazing, cool music but you can still hear the people you are with talk.
I guarantee 1806 will not disappoint you!!!
I will be back again

Bianca M.

Place rating: 4
Melbourne, Australia

I’ve been to 1806 a total of three times now, twice a great experience and once a very bland experience. It still remaims my ‘go to’ bar for fancy cocktails though.
First, the drink menu and drinks themselves. You could spend a good half hour going through the menu. It is sorted by era, with decent descriptions of what each cocktail is. It mostly consists of the ‘classics’ though surprisingly you won’t find a standard martini in the book! (and yes, the menu really is more like a book). From experience you can order off-menu if the bar tender is familiar with the drink. I’ve sampled many different drinks and will definitely go back to sample many more. Most recently I had a very smooth Negroni that I would highly recommend. The prices are a little on the high end (closer to the $ 20 mark than the $ 15), but I don’t mind paying the bit extra for something that isn’t just a standard cosmo.
I love the atmoshpere of the place. Table service is great for a bar like this — when they have enough staff on. Remember my one dud experience? Yep, I went last Tuesday night and they only had 2 staff on for the whole bar. Which is enough staff to make the cocktails, but not serve people or clean. In past experience it tends to be one waiter for about 3 tables, which means you never go without a drink and they’re always polite and up for a chat. I’m hoping the other night was just a one off because it was incredibly frustrating to wait 45 minute for a drink.
I’m yet to try the food there, but it looks amazing. 1806 is comfortable and relaxing. A good place to hang out with a small group for a few nice drinks without having to battle a crowd. I would recommend it to anyone.

Phil E.

Place rating: 4
Melbourne, Australia

Amazing cocktail bar with a drinks list that will confuse, amaze and make you salivate.
The venue itself is an old theatre that has been converted into this split level bar and it certainly adds a sense of theatre to the whole environment. The service is old school with well dressed waiters coming direct to your tables and on the night we went, the service was a little slow delivering our drinks but it was a saturday and busy.
While we didnt eat any food there, what we did see looked great. As the drinks are strong, food is worthwhile as you will need something to line your stomach.
To really get into the vibe of the place, I recommend a seat at the bar or on the edge of the upstairs balcony.

Hugh M.

Place rating: 5
Northcote, Australia

Um what?
I haven’t reviewed here before? I must be going insane, and perhaps,
more insane than I already am. 1806 is blimming fantastic, and for me
is home to a great charlie Chaplin, clover club, and while I’m stealing
some thunder, a Tom Collins. Finally and recently had the chance to sit
upstairs for the first time in ages, and it was really good. Then again
I’ve been here many times and tried a few or copious amounts of cocktails!
It’s a theatric style operation, and proves more entertaining here than at some
other venues. Really hurt my wallet when I come here, as I buy top shelf
stuff, but boy oh boy are these types of bar my preferred venue. Should I
add, great skilled staff, quite great drinks when they arrive. Several occasions and
visits later and I still like it.