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Best Bars in Melbourne, for Singles.

Welcome to Melbourne's bustling singles scene! Unleash the fun with thrilling singles bars and events right in your own backyard. Whether you're all set for a speed dating night to remember or a laid-back catch up at the city's hotspots, there's always an exciting event happening around the corner.

The question: Where are the best singles bars near me?

We know the bar scene. We've handpicked our favorites, each bursting with character to match your style and mood. From hip beach bars to elegant cocktail lounges, the choices are as diverse as the lively crowd that gathers.

So, get your best outfit on, flash that captivating smile, and dive into the exciting world of singles bars and events. It's time to have fun, meet people, and maybe even spark some romance. The adventure awaits!

Polly Cocktail Bar

401 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, Melbourne.

See dates at Polly Cocktail Bar

Wheat, Wine & Whisky

284 Smith St, Collingwood, Melbourne.

Wheat, Wine & Whisky is a cozy take on a traditional gastropub. Located in the heart of Collingwood, we make sure that if you're looking for fun and entertainment, we're the only place you're going to want to be! With a great Happy Hour and a wide selection of curated drinks, this is the local date spot you've been waiting for!

See dates at Wheat, Wine & Whisky

Bobbie Peels

Level 1, 351 Queensberry St, North Melbourne, Melbourne.

First established as a pub in 1878, North Melbourne's Bobbie Peels blends history, hospitality and food and drink excellence under one roof. With a focus on quality ingredients, inventive cuisine, and a curated wine list spanning decades, Bobbie Peels invites guests to experience the essence of Melbourne's vibrant dining scene in a welcoming pub atmosphere.

See dates at Bobbie Peels

Public House Richmond

VIP Cocktail Lounge, Level 2, 433-435 Church St, Richmond, Melbourne.

Welcome to Public House Richmond, your friendly neighbourhood bar - but with an upscale twist. No pretentiousness here, just the right blend of laid-back and luxe. Famed for its edgy industrial design, it's like Richmond's own piece of New York loft-style living. The ever-changing tap beer keeps things fresh, and their wine list? Legendary! The crowd? As eclectic as Melbourne's weather. Love a bit of footy banter or an intellectual convo? You'll find it all here. Singles, strap in for a Richmond rollercoaster ride!

See dates at Public House Richmond

Westside Ale Works

36 Alfred St, South Melbourne, Melbourne.

Westside Ale Works is a family-owned and operated craft brewery tucked away on Alfred Street in South Melbourne. Partner and Head Brewer, Casey Wagner, pays homage to the microbreweries of the U.S. West Coast with everything he does - from the cozy atmosphere of our warehouse-style taproom to the 30 beers on tap! We take pride in creating a warm and welcoming experience for anyone who walks through our big roller door!

See dates at Westside Ale Works

Brogan's Way Distillery

61 North St, Richmond, Melbourne.

Brogan's Way is a boutique spirits distillery proudly led by Brogan herself and celebrates whisky, vodka and gin making by adopting innovative approaches and unique ingredients. Located very close to Melbourne CBD, accessible by tram and public transport it is a great place to visit. Offering tasting flights, superb classic cocktails, cocktail classes and masterclasses.

See dates at Brogan's Way Distillery

Hightail Bar

Collins Square, 727 Collins Street, Melbourne.

Hightail Bar is like a carnival for the senses. Designed around an urban jungle theme, it's a concrete oasis amid the Docklands. Great for singles who fancy a bit of the wild in the urban wildlands. Their huge beer selection is as tempting as the city skyline view, and don't even get me started on the food. From Mr. Burger to Super Taco, it's a foodie's playground. Brush shoulders with a diverse crowd under Hightail's neon lights, it's Melbourne's favourite concrete jungle where the wild singles are!

See dates at Hightail Bar
Single giving a testimonial about a CitySwoon singles event
"Amazed at how well I was matched and how fun and easy it was! Really great hosts and fun dates."

Sarah M, 23 star

Single man's testimonial about a CitySwoon singles event
"Awesome night with amazing people!"

Denis C, 30

Singles testimonial about a CitySwoon singles event
"I like the flow of the event. The pace was perfect. I would definitely come to another one of your events, if I am not in a relationship by then :)"

Diana L, 33

Frequently Asked Questions About Speed Dating:

What is speed dating, and how does it work?

So, you're single, and ready to mingle? - but you're sick of swiping, and you want depth. That's where speed dating comes in. Think of it like a real-life dating app, where you get to meet a bunch of eligible singles in one fun-filled evening.

The concept is simple - you attend an event, typically held in a bar or restaurant, where you're given a set amount of time to chat with a potential love interest. Usually, you'll have around five to ten minutes to get to know each person before moving on to the next.

After the event, you'll let the organizers know who you're interested in, and if they feel the same way, you'll be matched up. It's like a romantic game of musical chairs, except you're not left standing alone at the end!

It's a great way to meet new people. For speed dating on steroids, try Speed Dating 2.0 with CitySwoon. It's incredibly fun - think algorithmic matching meets live events!

What is Cityswoon, and how is it different to traditional speed dating?

Cityswoon: it's speed dating's cooler, more adventurous cousin. Picture this: instead of being cooped up in some dimly-lit back room, chatting with every Tom, Dick, and Harry, you're out in the main part of the bar with everyone else, dating a handpicked group of singles. Yup, that's right - no more speed dating roulette. Cityswoon uses fancy algorithms to match you with compatible folks based on personality, values, and interests. It's like having Cupid as your personal dating assistant.

But wait, there's more! Cityswoon doesn't just set you up with some rando and call it a day. Oh no, they take it to the next level. You see, after each date, you give live feedback. And guess what? They use that info to tweak your matches on the very same night. It's like a choose-your-own-adventure novel, but with actual humans. And the stats don't lie: a staggering 95% of peeps meet someone they're attracted to, and 90% score at least one 5-star mutual match.

So ditch the humdrum world of traditional speed dating and give Cityswoon a whirl. With unique venues and a more laid-back vibe, you're bound to have a night you won't forget. And who knows? You might even meet someone who changes your world. Now go on, get out there and have a blast!

What questions should I ask at a speed dating event?

Psst, here's a big secret: everyone's favorite topic of conversation is themselves! When people start talking about themselves, they generally feel that you are a great conversationalist.

At the start of each date, you'll be wanting to help put your date at ease - everyone is nervous at the start! So it is a great idea to ask questions that are easy to answer, just to get the conversation flowing, such as "Do you have pets?", "Where's your hometown?", "Have you been to an event like this before?". After each answer, you can ask more questions, so that they can elaborate on their answers.

As the date progresses, you can learn more about them with fun questions like "How would your friends describe you?", or "What is your favorite food?" or "What do you enjoy doing?".

You don't necessarily need to steer away from topics like religion or politics, but it could be hard to build up to deep topics in the 10 minutes or so that you have to chat. You will need to find out the answers to these questions eventually, if you like them, but you might find you naturally get to these questions at the bar, after the dating, or at a later date.

How should I prepare for speed dating?

Prep like a pro. Before you dive into the thrilling world of speed dating, you've got to get your game face on. Start by choosing the perfect outfit - something that screams confidence but keeps you comfy. After all, you'll be chatting it up with a bunch of potential matches, so you might as well look and feel fabulous.

Next, flex those conversation muscles. The secret is that everyone likes to talk about themselves. So, ask your date some easy questions, to help them relax, and let the conversation flow from there. Everyone will be feeling nervous at the start of the night - but will start to relax after the first dates.

The trick is to be genuine and kind. While you're schmoozing with the singles, remember that authenticity is key. Ditch the cheesy pick-up lines and just be yourself. Trust me, they'll appreciate it. And hey, even if you don't find your soulmate, at least you'll leave with some great stories to tell. So get out there, enjoy the ride, and remember - it's not a race, it's a journey. Happy speed dating!

How can I find a speed dating event near me?

Over half a million people have attended a CitySwoon Speed Dating 2.0 event. Click your city below to find local events near you.

See your local events in:

Speed Dating in Sydney
Speed Dating in Melbourne
Speed Dating in Brisbane
Speed Dating in Adelaide
Speed Dating in Perth
Speed Dating in Gold Coast
Speed Dating in Canberra
Speed Dating in Newcastle
Speed Dating in Hobart

Happy dating!