What’s the Best Bar Restaurant in Melbourne to Start with Dinner and End with Drinks
Melbourne doesn’t do basic nights out. We don’t rush from one bar to another, chasing a vibe.
We curate the whole night with good food, great drinks, and smooth transitions, all in one place.
You want a dinner that sets the tone. A bar that keeps the energy up. Somewhere with ambience, not chaos. Movement, not stress.
That’s why Melburnians love a good bar-restaurant hybrid place where you can start with a bottle of wine, share a great meal, then float straight into cocktails and a skyline view without ever leaving the building.
And right in the middle of Fed Square, one spot nails that flow better than any other:
One Iconic Venue. Three Seamless Experiences.
Transport Hotel isn’t one venue. It’s three experiences stacked above each other, each with its own personality.
You don’t need to plan multiple reservations. You don’t need to call three Ubers. You don’t even need to leave the building.
Just move from level to level, depending on your mood, the group, or the moment.
It’s the easiest way to create a night that feels effortless but still feels like you knew exactly what you were doing the whole time.
1. Start with Dinner Upstairs at Taxi Kitchen
This is where your night should begin. Take the lift up to Taxi Kitchen.
It’s airy, bright, and refined without being uptight. Think warm lighting, comfortable seating, and panoramic views that set the tone.
Now the food.
Taxi’s menu is modern Australian with a fresh Asian influence. Portions are generous. The presentation is beautiful. Flavours are bright, clean, and layered.
There’s a strong focus on local produce, and the wine list supports that perfectly, loaded with Victorian vineyards, New Zealand aromatics, and European classics for those who like to explore.
Need something low-intervention or non-alcoholic? They’ve got excellent options there too.
2. Head Downstairs to the Ground-Level Bar: Where the Energy Lifts
After dinner, no need to check Google Maps.
Just take the stairs down to the Transport Public Bar. The vibe here is totally different in a good way.
The energy is louder. The crowd is looser. The atmosphere? Pure Melbourne.
You’ll find a mixed crowd of office knock-offs, pre-game fans, uni students, first dates, friend reunions, and tourists discovering the city. It all blends.
There are big screens playing sport (perfect for a Friday night footy follow-up), DJs spinning from Thursdays to Sundays, and a drinks list that moves fast.
Grab a cold tap beer, a well-made G&T, or a spicy marg depending on the mood.
The service is quick. The menu is pub-classic. Think burgers, wings, fries, loaded nachos, and other crowd-pleasers that match the drinks perfectly.
3. Finish Strong With Rooftop Cocktails at Transit Rooftop Bar
Now the finale. The peak. The cherry on top.
Take the lift back up, this time to the rooftop level, where the night levels up one more time.
The view? Absolutely iconic.
From up Transit Rooftop Bar, you get a full sweep of Melbourne, from the Arts Centre spire to the glinting Yarra and the sparkling city skyline.
It’s cinematic. Intimate. And yet still electric.
The cocktail list leans creative and seasonal. The bartenders are pros.
You’ll find drinks that blend local ingredients with global inspiration from native herbs to Japanese yuzu, or smoky spirits with a citrus punch.
Not sure what you want? Let the team guide you. They’re known for tailoring drinks based on taste and mood.
Transit Bar also hosts live music and DJ sets on weekends, but it never overpowers.
Transit is where good nights turn into great ones.
Suggested Timeline: Plan Your Night Like a Local
Here’s how you can pace the perfect Melbourne evening at Transport:
6:00 PM: Arrive for dinner at Taxi Kitchen, watch the sun dip over the skyline
8:00 PM: Wander down to Transport Bar for round two and a bit of people-watching
9:30 PM: Ride the lift up to Transit for cocktails, city views, and music under the stars
Flip it around if you're going casual first and want a luxe finish.
Every level works; it's up to you.
Ready to Make a Night of It?
Melbourne’s nightlife is full of choice, but not all venues give you dinner, drinks, and rooftop views in one effortless move.
Transport Hotel does.
No bouncing around. No fuss. Just one iconic venue with three levels of food, flavour, and feeling.
Start with a view. End with a cheer. Let everything in between surprise you.