Section 8

A somewhat random pop-​up bar using a shipping container and a pile of old palettes. Tucked in a back street, this place seems to be on some walking tours, as whilst I was there 2 groups passed by looking at both the bar and the huge mural on the adjacent building. Different beer choices, though not as cheap as the surroundings might lead you to think it might be. A fun way to pass an hour on a warm summer afternoon. Decent wifi too!

Section 8 is a buzzy little establishment, emblematic of our generations struggle with poverty and the working class. Not really though. Not actually at all. It’s just a cool little laneway bar full of wooden crates.
They offer a couple of chill bar snacks — chilli dogs and burgers, and a selection of local beers. Most importantly though, they have tallies, which is a massive plus in my book. I’ve not tried the food but I’ve heard some great things about it.
They play some chill tunes and it’s always real busy, so be prepared to maybe stand up all night. It’s also cash only so make sure you swing by an ATM on your way there.

Not being from Melbourne I thought this place was really cool ! It had a really chill vibe, with people scattered on wooden carton stacks around the DJ. My boyfriend and I were bar hopping this night and kicked off our night here with two vodka red bulls (he copied me). They were your standard drinks, so this review is essentially on the atmosphere and the concept of this bar. The graffiti and shipping container environment is unique and different. The dj pumped out some great beats that fit in really well with the atmosphere.
Definitely a great place to chill out after a gruelling week at work for some drinks!

Funny bar for a Sunday session, Thursday boogie or a day time drink. Hidden in a little lane, cash only bar and not the biggest selection if beers and spirits but certainly enough to satisfy the thirst. Great tunes and love music as well

Quirky little laneway bar which i have been going to since i first arrived in melbourne in 2012. Every time i go in i feel as though theres been a change. Winter nights the mulled wine is a must, lazy Sundays with wicked djs and dance battles who can fault it. If you want to experience Melbourne, this funky car park bar is it.

Although drinking in an old shipping container and sitting on milk crates may not be everyone’s idea of a great inner city bar Section 8 really is worth a night out.
It has a surprisingly relaxed atmosphere and the bar staff are usually friendly. They play a strange mix of interpretative dance music and classic indie tunes.
A word to the wise, the bathrooms are gross.
This place is so packed in the summertime that you cannot move and the line to get in can take ages so my review is based on a nice and warm autumn night (in my experience the best time for section 8)

We must have came on bad night. Bartender was rude and short with us even though it wasn’t busy. That was my first impression of the place.

Very hip and super cool but manages to avoid being pretentious. Good beer selection and especially good for summer nights.

Favorite bar from all over the world. I miss you section 8! Get a Coopers!

Well, if there is a place that defines the Melbourne bar scene, it is Section 8. Mind you, don’t expect to come here for a quiet drink, especially a night, because you will be really, really lucky to actually find a place to sit down. I guess being mentioned in the Lonely Planet Guide as a ‘must visit’ place in Melbourne doesn’t help all that much, but then again I am not surprised this place made it there. Still, I love this place, despite the crowds because it is just, well, so unique. The bar is basically a shipping container, and is located hidden in a back alley, though the word hidden is probably not the best word to use because, well, everybody knows about it. Still, it is definitely a place to visit because it is just so unique.

Section 8 is one of those bars that’s always been on my list but which I’ve never actually got around to trying… until Sunday night. I can now mark it off my list but it hasn’t seen the last of me because I’ll definitely be going back!
I love how the bar’s actually set up inside a container and so are the toilets. It’s a great spot, very hispter, loud upbeat tunes, crates acting as your makeshift tables and chairs and affordable drinks. Be sure to bring plenty of cash however guys as they don’t take plastic.
I took a couple of mates, who were down from Brissie, there after dinner in Chinatown and they loved it.

Not being from Melbourne we had no idea where the best places for New Years Eve celebrations were.
After going to some bars and walking through all the festivities on the streets of Melbourne, we realized it was getting close to midnight so should settle on a place quickly!
We heard some awesome music coming from an alley way and then found this place.
It looks like it was in a bar set up in a carpark, caged up with sea containers all around a dance floor with an awesome DJ.
So glad we settled on this place to bring in the New Year, lots of dancing and drinking ;)

Great weekday vibe. The drinks are bit pricey and I believe they only accept cash. The DJ was playing a great mix of old school hip hop. Love the speak easy vibe.

I’ve walked past a lot (for years!) but never been in. But in an effect to impress a tourist friend (on a Monday night) we checked it out. I’ve gotta say I was surprised. For an outdoor kinda grungy looking bar the bar and bar tenders were not what I expected. Neither were the sophisticated cocktails we ordered. It was kinda quiet but still this place has atmosphere. It probably won’t be the first place I think of but I’d come back and bring friends.

During the summer, this is a great spot to grab an afternoon drink. They always have a good selection of beats playing and you can usually find a spot to sit. Colder months, you’re obviously outside so it can be a little chilly if you’re not near a heater.
Their 90s night are so much fun. They play anything good from that era. No doubt, Nirvana, Rage, the list goes on. Love that nostalgia! Even when there’s lines, drinks are always really quick and the bartenders are chill. Great spot to go to check out.

Outside bunker turned bar! With a real grunge and drinks served outside of a bunker looking trailer!
This places is a hipster of hipster bars! Laid back vibe, nice crowd and LOUD music! Plays lots of hip hop! Has decent drink prices and a chilled environment!

I used to live in Shoreditch.
I like this place.
Go figure.

Went here for a few drinks before dinner last night. It’s a grungy little outdoor bar that I’d liken to some sort of cattle waiting pen. This sounds like a bad thing, but once you’re in the caged off area, have a drink in your hands and the loud music is going, it isn’t so bad. We had Kelly Brothers ciders for $ 9 each, not bad.
Section 8 is very indie, graffiti artwork, shopping carts and animal statues surround you. I’m deducting stars as it’s a bit hard to fully relax with a bevie when you’re surrounded by smokers and you’re sitting on uneven hard benches that will make your bum go numb if you stay too long. Good for one or two drinks before going somewhere else :)

Great! After many years of visiting here I have yet to be disappointed.
We got over the potential threatening Fiasco that one day it may
be forced to close forever. This bar was hip even before «Hipsters»
were invented. So yes, now it is extremely popular, and nearly always
packed to absolute capacity. It’s a great concept delivered well.
Bar staff are ever changing, and while it is common to have a bit
of a wait when ordering drinks, they are quite good at Fielding
requests and on occasion some quick dialogue. I have had many
a good time here; including one time when I swapped cigarettes
for sausages, during a sausage sizzle. They have many other
great going’s too.
Saturday afternoon art classes, and something to do with foot
long hot dogs at some point on a Friday– from memory at least.
No doubt they have other and more adventurous events.
It’s the outdoor shipping container bar that I can rightly imagine–
EVERY ONE in Melbourne has been to. It’s excessively and
screamingly popular. Yes, long lines (at times) and a challenge
to find a seat, the drinks are at standard prices; Melbourne
is incredulously expensive mind you.
A no fuss easy going bar that has more than one thing going
for it, (aka live DJ’s with actual turntables and a full setup.)
There are many. Good drinks too.

This place makes for a great Melbourne venue. However, you do need to choose the right time to visit.
When first opened the randomness of its location and the haphazard feel made it a popular venue (coz all melbourne folk love to feel as though we’ve found the new «it bar» down a dodge side street. The great relaxed service added to the hype which resulted in the packed crowds we see today.
For me the «no tie» policy is a bit OTT (I don’t usually were one but if I’ve gone to the trouble of perfecting the double Windsor I’m keeping it on!).
Great location for a drink after a quick bit in china town but beware…
This place gets VERY busy.
Don’t be fooled by the «cheap and cheerful» look. Drinks are not!