Restaurant
Apollo Inn
165 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Find Apollo Inn
165 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Apollo Inn
Flinders Lane regulars steer friends toward the studded leather doors when the city slows down—no street signage, no windows, just a dark corridor opening into a 28-seat boîte. Inside, conversation hums without competing with the room. Bartenders stir classic pours over hand-cut ice, even stashing your martini in the freezer if you step away from the counter. The kitchen matches the drinks with steak tartare, raw fish, and warm flatbread slathered in whipped cod roe, anchored by a pressed Cubano toastie.
- Studded-Door Seclusion: Concealed behind an unassuming windowless entrance on Flinders Lane, opening into an intimate 28-seat room managed at the door.
- Precision Cocktail Service: Classic specs and custom off-menu drinks executed with precision, down to chilling unfinished martinis in the freezer when guests step away.
- Elevated Late-Night Fare: A concise kitchen selection featuring steak tartare, flatbread with whipped cod roe, and a pressed Cubano toastie.
What's On at Apollo Inn
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Discerning Cocktail Drinkers Choose Apollo Inn
Discover a discreet Flinders Lane cocktail sanctuary defined by bespoke mixology, acoustic calm, and thoughtful hospitality. Book ahead to secure your seat.
Hidden Entrance into Secluded Sanctuary
Concealed behind studded leather doors with no street-facing windows, Apollo Inn transports patrons into an exclusive, dimly lit corridor and moody lounge insulated from Flinders Lane.
You enter through an unassuming door with no windows, then walk down a small corridor where you’re greeted and taken to your seat. It instantly feels exclusive and atmospheric in the best way possible.
Clare D Acoustic Intimacy for Unhurried Conversation
The room maintains a controlled, hushed acoustic environment where subdued music and careful host management allow effortless conversation without competing against room noise.
The best intimate ambience around. Depending on customers of course but usually one doesn't have to raise your voice to be heard.
Michael Allen Active Martini Freezer Storage Service
Upholding obsessive temperature precision, the bar team actively preserves unfinished martinis in a dedicated freezer whenever a patron steps away from their seat.
When you go to the bathroom, your Martini will be stored in a freezer until you come back.
Anton S. Intuitive Off-Menu Cocktail Alchemy
Alongside classic house specialties, seasoned bartenders and hosts tailor custom, off-menu variations to individual palates on the fly.
The English host (didn’t catch his name) was great and helped with ordering off menu cocktails and the bar team know their stuff delivering an absolute banger of a riff on a manhattan.
jay bichan Effortless Elegance for Special Evenings
Soft lighting, refined hospitality, and tucked-away booth seating make the venue an ideal rendezvous when aiming to impress a date or share a quiet drink with close company.
It’s the perfect place for a special date night or a sophisticated drink with friends.
Amilliah Coveted Intimate Table Discovery
With limited capacity creating sustained demand even on weeknights, securing a reservation delivers the rewarding feeling of an insider table discovery. Book ahead to guarantee your leather booth.
Good date spot. Was busy on a Tuesday. Bookings recommend.
Adrian
Most popular items
Precision-crafted cocktails and elevated bar snacks savoured by Melbourne patrons.
Classic Dry Martini
had the classic dry martini and it was absolutely fabulous.
Ben Carter Hazelnut Martini
Hazelnut martini: Hazelnut eau de vie, house Frangelico, hazelnut miso, Amontillado, fantastic! Loved the balance of sweetness
Alex “Alexsfoodieadventures” Raw Seafood Selection
My favourite dishes were the Gilda and the raw seafood selection. Impeccable!
E P Cubano Toastie
We had the oysters, flatbread with whipped cod roe, steak tartare, raw fish plate and the Cubano toastie — and every dish was delicious.
Clare D
Other favorites
Refined bar snacks and niche cocktail creations complement the classic drinks lineup.
Gilda
My favourite dishes were the Gilda and the raw seafood selection.
E P Saturn
all the cocktails we had were fantastic! Especially the Saturn and hazelnut martini.
Charlize Chammat Caviar
We even tried caviar for the first time and loved it!
Nicole Lortan Chips & Dip
Chips & dip: fantastic, delicious dip & refillable crisps to dip in
Alex “Alexsfoodieadventures”
Beyond the menu
Attentive, above-and-beyond gestures that define an evening at Apollo Inn
Freezer-Chilled Martini Care
If you step away to the restroom mid-drink, the team stores your martini in a freezer so it stays perfectly chilled until you return.
Hands-Free Table Relocation
When seats open up for standing guests, staff whisk drinks down to the new setting with an understated flourish so patrons never have to carry their own glassware.
Bar-Side Chef Station
Snacks and small share plates are prepared live by a chef directly from a compact culinary station operating right behind the bar.
Bespoke Off-Menu Craft
Bartenders readily mix bespoke, off-menu tipples on the cuff, crafting personalized riffs like custom Manhattans matched to individual palates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to book in advance, or can I walk in?
Yes, reservations can be made via their website and are strongly recommended. The venue is an intimate 28-seat room with limited capacity, and walk-in waits can exceed several hours on busy nights. A cancellation or no-show fee of $50 applies to online bookings, and seatings may have set time limits (typically 60 to 90 minutes).
How do I find the entrance on Flinders Lane?
Apollo Inn features an unassuming street exterior with no windows. Look for the entrance tucked behind studded, leather-lined doors on Flinders Lane, followed by a short corridor leading into the dimly lit lounge.
Does Apollo Inn serve full meals or just bar snacks?
While the menu is tailored around snacks and small share plates, the dishes are rich and surprisingly filling. Offerings include oysters, flatbread with whipped cod roe, steak or tuna tartare, raw seafood, and toasties.
Can I order off-menu cocktails?
Yes. Beyond classic preparations like martinis and negronis, the bar team accommodates off-menu drink requests based on on-hand ingredients and personal preferences.
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