Lily Blacks

Great cocktails, they have a good selection of Rum’s and know exactly what to do with them. Apart from the great selection of alcohol and cool vibe of the bar, the staff also tops this place off by being excellent at their job.

Lily Boacks is on of the famous place in Melbourne especially by people working in hospitality.
They are open late, not too expensive and have an excellent selection of beers and cocktails.
If you are a bitter lover you’ll enjoy their bitters choices.

This is the best place for stress realising.

This place was a great for drinks before dinner — on the expensive side but well worth it.
Try the Fig Jam Cocktail — definitely the best thing on the menu! So good we had to go back for seconds!

Lily Blacks is one of my favourite cocktail bars in Melbourne. If I’m not gazing into my date’s eyes, then I’m gazing at their beautiful array of bottles.
The place serves up top notch cocktails with a relaxed vibe. Which means I can enjoy a good quality drink without any judgement. The bartenders are knowledgeable and great at preparing quality drinks, although a bit hands-​off when it comes to idol chit-​chat.
There is a juicer behind the bar for fresh pressed mixers. And the menu offers interesting drink inspirations– like their twist on the pickle back. (I highly recommend the rum and ginger beetroot chaser.)
If I’m out late, I want Lily Blacks to be my date.

I have a confession to make: I’ve been avoiding Lily Blacks.
In light of all of the positive reviews, you must be thinking I’m insane… but I have a reason:
I was afraid that I’d like it so much that the fact that it’s stumbling distance from my front door would lead to serious medical, and financial, consequences.
But last night my wife comes home from work relatively early and suggests we grab a cocktail at Lily Blacks. It took me a few moments to process this. First, she was home early (always a plus) and second, she was suggesting cocktails on a school-​night.
Once the shock wore off, we walked the few metres necessary to enter the (THANKFULLY AIR-​CONDITIONED) premises. It was 37C out, humid, muggy, and, honestly, the deal breaker for whether or not we’d have a drink was their airco. They keep their front windows open, so, I was concerned we’d be doomed inside.
Not so.
Instead we got there before «the rush» (and make no bones about it, there is one, this place can get packed) — had our pick of seats, and had two spectacular cocktails (each).
Three were off the menu (mine, plus one of the ones my wife had) — the fourth was my wife’s favourite cocktail which we had them custom make. They did a spectacular job, and the fact that they were willing to play along and make something we’d hopefully like was a big plus.
It’s obvious I’ll return. Indeed, I can leave work in a few hours and they ARE on my way home… it’d almost be rude not to pop in, right?
(Fifth star held back purely because I need to get a sense of consistency when visiting somewhere new. If they impress me a second/​third time, it’ll be a no-​brainer).

If you’re after a cocktail in Melbourne and don’t want to stress too much about hidden doorways, insane prices or snobby bartenders, then Lily Blacks is the way to go.
Classy but relaxed, very talented and helpful bartenders and a great offering of classic and modern cocktails.
Meyers Place has become a pretty happening laneway these days, and rightly so. Lily Blacks is easily accessible, there’s plenty of room, and has deservingly become one of my go-​to drinking spots.

This has become my favourite place for Friday night drinks, the drinks before meeting people elsewhere, or wanting to have a quiet cocktail or two with my main drinking companion (read: date night) because I’ve never, ever seen it packed. To some, that’s a bit of a «smoke = fire» situation, but I’ve only had great drinks with great service and always somewhere to sit at Lily Blacks. It also has good proximity to a number of different places to eat nearby!

Considering we were supposed to be on a beer bar tour, this place was a little bit of a disappointment. It is surely a cocktail bar. That being said, I had a very nice tequila here that the bartender paired with a bottled beer at a discounted price. The drinks were expensive ~$ 20, but pretty tasty.

Oh lily blacks, you are my late night rescue, when looking for a decent drink and a great casual vibe Lilys is impossible to beat.
Check out their pickle back menu and back it up with a beer and relax to some rad tunes.
Also the staff are all pretty rad and really friendly.

I’ve been to Lily Blacks on two occasions on each the service here has been great. I’m not going to pretend I’m a huge cocktail and/​or spirits drinker and offer insight onto what they’ve got on offer here, because I’m not.
I can say they’ve got a good selection of well priced cocktails without the selection being overwhelming, and that I love the atmosphere. I also loved that I could come here after dinner at 11pm on a Sunday night and enjoy a few relaxed drinks.
My wife asked for a custom cocktail on our last visit and the bar staff were happy to accommodate what she’d requested and even explained the mix to her and what to specifically ask for if she went to ‘another bar’. Awesome.
My go-​to place for drinks when we visit Melbourne.

Lily Blacks is a dangerous magnet that I cannot help gravitating to whenever I am in the area.
My favourite negroni spot in town: go the west winds cutlass and antico formula.
If you, like me like a snack with your drink do ask about their picklebacks, a pickle, or a pickled onion with a shot of your favourite. Delicious!

Hello martini… you dirty thing you.
With the Iron Bartender competition held here you know that this would be a place that can help you.
If you have never been to one of these you have to go its SO MUCH FUN the vibe at this event is brilliant.
I like to go during the week as it can get a little busy on a Saturday
So I go here a bit. and now they do their own pickles. Yes you heard me PICKLES hold onto your panties Unilocalers they made me a PINK gibson that was garnished with the house made pickles — carrot, beetroot & cucumber
Don’t worry they will make you any martini you want.
The bartenders know how to make ‘your’ perfect martini by asking you some personal question so they can get it right.
They have an amazing variety of gin and provide many different garnishes — green olives, anchovy olives, house made pickles, cocktail onions, citrus twists; There is also HEAPS of bitters and all served in mis — matched antique glassware very cute.
Don’t worry for those of you that are not into your martinis they make AMAZING cocktails too.
I would be more than happy to spend my martini madness here…

Fighting abuse from a flannel wearing hobo, I was led up a laneway to be greeted warmly by Lily Blacks on a rainy Melbourne eve. Stares from the hovering hipsters drinking cocktails from the mismatched glasses you’ll find here is just all part of the immense charm of the place. We were greeted by a bar tender Ben who I’ll say might be the only person in a bow tie I’m going to trust.
My friend and a cocktail queen (trust me, she’ll never recommend you a drink you won’t like) suggested I order a 21^st Century. No regret. Your cocktail is served with a side of mixology history — Ben was able to tell us all sorts of information — all of which could be his creative license but isn’t that the sign of a good bar keep?
Lily Blacks speaks for itself. Next time you’re in Melbourne, don’t fight it, go and sip the sweet libations of this laneway love.

Stumbled upon an all-​out raucous bartending competition last Sunday evening. Crowd was loads of fun. DJ was on fire — great music. Lighting is great, ample seating.

A cocktail bar loved and revered by bartenders and booze-​fiends.
Casual, fun, moody lighting, plenty of seats. Perfect spot for a drink in its own right but its location also means its a great place for meeting friends or waiting for a table at nearby restaurants like San Telmo or Senoritas.

I went to Lily Blacks as part of a Unilocal Unofficial event and have to admit that I quite like the place. Set in Meyers Place, Lily Blacks offers a wide range of cocktails. Beer and wine are on offer as well but they do focus a more on cocktails. It is actually awesome to sit at the bar with a drink and have a chat to the bartender while watching him prep drinks. I am a fan of bars with an actual bar where you can sit on your own and enjoy a drink.
It is definitely a great place to chill after work (also gets pretty busy after about 7pm) and I reckon I would hang out there quite often if I worked in town.
I stuck with G&Ts on the night but will definitely go back to sample some of their cocktails.

A bar I have known about for some time, but have been
very slow on the uptake of entering. Its’ there in the class
of higher echelons of good bars, its nary that the guys
behind the bar will make a wrong move with drinks.
In fact its one where you can ask complex and specific
questions about potential cocktails.
After sampling some great custom made creations, it
becomes apparent that these guys almost have a degree
in alcohol chemistry. They always get in right. ordering via
the menu or specials board is good fun, but never be afraid
to be adventurous and exercise some creative and collaborative
thinking in seemingly endless ways to come up with some
crafty and suspiciously too tasty cocktails.
I’m sure that hardly any one would concur with this, but
for some reason, I have envisaged this bar being
completely tilled wall to floor, a few minor adjustments,
and being called the «mad house» a concept that would
suit the space well. This however, would probably destroy
the credibility of such a venue. its a great place.
It is however, a little dangerous if you like premium
quality alcohols– they have a very big family here of aforementioned
imbibing juice, and they’re all far too tempting too pass up.
This means, ultimately that you have to stick to a few favorites.
Hard choices have to be made– something will get left out.

First thing is first! They have renovated the bathrooms! Such a welcomed improvement at LB’S! The interior has a certain old world glamour about it & certainly makes you feel welcome. For smokers, the area has also been extended a little too.
I attended LB’s last night for an (UYE). Although I am not a Martini drinker, I did enjoy my strong tipple and it went down very very well with the olives :) The bartender definitely know their expertise.
Lily Black’s is great because it has such a vast range of cocktails to choose from, friendly staff and seating varies from stools around the bar to lounge style seating also.
Last nights event had such a wonderful atmosphere with many friendly people from all different backgrounds, so LB’s was a perfect venue for the UYE! I enjoyed all of my drinks, the service & the company last night,
Located in Meyers place, LB’s is an ideal place to meet your friends & then head off for dinner or go out for dinner & then go straight to Lily Blacks!

I’ve been holding on to this review for some time, not quite certain how to express my deep love and affection for Lily Blacks.
5pm G&T using one of their many gins?
Pre-​dinner cocktails from their extensive list of classics, modern interpretations or house specilaities?
Perhaps a post-​dinner tipple, bartender’s choice with a lags chunk of hand-​carved ice?
They do it all, and they do it well without fuss or pretension. Rock on up or book a space if you plan on hosting a larger group of friends. Just don’t forget to invite me.