Top 5 Wine Bars

TOP 5 WINE BARS

1. The Melbourne Supper Club

This Wine Bar has an extensive selection of quality wines, both local and imported, in your choice of glasses, half size bottles or full size bottles. A perfect venue for a night cap, lounge in the comfy leather couches as you peer out the semicircular floor to ceiling window into Parliament House, on Spring St, Melbourne city. I felt a little like Carrie Bradshaw from Sex in the city, it seemed surreal, I was suddenly transported from Melbourne city into a cosy NYC Wine Bar, sipping on my shiraz whilst enjoying a bite of fine cheese, chicken liver pate , and crackers. The Supper Club is certainly worth a visit if you're after premium wine & exceptional service, in a cosmopolitan setting.

2. La Vita Buena

This bar's name translates to "The Good Life" and boy do you feel like you've got a slice of it when you visit this Cellar Bar. With over 400 wines, you'll get to taste a vast variety of wines in a rustic European-like setting. When the sun's out, enjoy some alfresco wining & dining; just outside The Westin on Swanston St. Or savour their antipasto platter & wine by the snug candle-lit high wooden tables on high black leather bar stools. My all-time favourite is the Eric Bordelet pear cider - Granit - from Normandy, France - a beautiful sparkling with a lovely pear after-taste. Though slightly on the pricey side ($57 for a bottle), this is highly recommended for the discerning connoisseur with good taste.

3. Seamstress Level 2

Seamstress is a four-storey restaurant bar - featuring Sweatshop - an eclectic bar at the basement, a contemporary Asian restaurant on level 1 and a cocktail/wine bar on level 2. Observe the rows of hanging Chinese Cheong Sams & your Granny's old Singer sewing machine for authenticity in decor.You have your whole evening/night sorted if you've come here for dinner, then proceeded upstairs for some fine wine by the glass or bottle. I have always found the entire wining/dining experience at Seamstress to be divine. The high quality wines have been carefully selected by the restaurateurs - I especially enjoyed the 2006 Toolangi Pinot Noir from Yarra Valley, Victoria ($11 for a glass / $55 for a bottle). If you're feeling particularly extravagant or generous, choose from the "Bling Bling" section where prices range from $320 - $690 per bottle of premium quality French wine.

4. M.O.O.

M.O.O. stands for Money Order Office and is situated at the basement of the Old Money Order Office, hence the name. The wine bar exudes a sense of opulence as you walk into the premises. Strong brass gates, gentle warm lighting, dark wooden tables & grand leather couches form an inviting ambience for hours of wine tasting. Choose from over 900 wines at affordable prices.

5. The Clarendon

This bar & brasserie prides itself on being an "unpretencious yet elegant destination for food & wine lovers" and I couldn't agree more. The venue went through a rehaul several years ago and has certainly brought chicness & style to South Melbourne's host of wine bars. Offering mostly local wines from the various Australian iconic wine regions - Barossa Valley, Yarra Valley and the like, the quality selection of wines shows through in their menu. If you're a little peckish, why not order from their selection of starters ie fresh shucked Pacific oysters or country-style terrine with chargrilled bread.