Restaurant
Bar Clara
87 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Find Bar Clara
87 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Bar Clara
Off-duty bartenders point friends down the Little Bourke stairs for drinks stripped of cocktail stiffness. Inside, copper and green velvet anchor an underground retreat—dim, easygoing, and dialed low enough for real conversation, whether stopping by solo or settling in for date night. The counter team builds drinks à la minute to whatever flavor profile you name, pouring peach and lime daiquiris alongside Bénédictine lemonades paired with an iPod playing the song that inspired the glass.
- Bespoke Mixology: Bartenders dial in custom drinks to your taste and mood alongside a rotating seasonal cocktail menu.
- Curated Soundtracks: Cocktails arrive paired with specific songs, accompanied by an iPod so you can listen while you drink.
- Subterranean Intimacy: A subterranean room with restrained music volume that leaves space for dates, catch-ups, or solo counter visits.
What's On at Bar Clara
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Choose Bar Clara
Experience inventive bespoke cocktails paired with personal soundtracks in Chinatown's premier subterranean hideaway. Book your table to secure your spot.
Precision Off-Menu Mixology
The bartenders operate with master-level intuition, fielding custom off-menu requests and designing bespoke pours tailored à la minute to your preferred spirits and flavors.
I decided to be difficult and request custom cocktails, and every time I was incredibly impressed.
Kieran Welch Personalized Palate Guidance
Rather than rushing guests through a static drink list, staff take the time to deconstruct flavor profiles and match drinks to each guest's individual preferences and current mood.
they took the time to explain everything and recommend drinks based on our preferences, which made the experience even more enjoyable.
praewpannara Auditory Cocktail Pairings
Cocktails are directly matched to musical tracks on the menu, complete with an iPod provided at your seat so you can immerse yourself fully in each drink's soundtrack.
Each drink is inspired by or connected to a song, which you can see on the menu and listen to on an iPod provided by the bar.
Anna Banana Multisensory Glassware Presentation
Every pour is treated as an artful presentation, featuring tactile, multisensory garnishes and creative vessels that turn high-end cocktail craft into a memorable ritual.
I was especially impressed by the creative touch of serving one of our cocktails in a glass resting over a small bowl filled with sand and tiny shells.
Lina Meier Moody Date-Night Seclusion
Tucked away underground at the top end of Little Bourke Street, the moody, candlelit room offers an unpretentious yet romantic sanctuary ideal for couples.
My husband and I absolutely love to go there for date night. Great intimate atmosphere, and the cocktails are just another level!
Mélanie-anne Lavoie Acoustics Tuned for Conversation
Sound levels are calibrated so that intimate tables can talk comfortably without straining, preserving a vibrant room energy while keeping conversation effortless.
The atmosphere was great and the music was just the right level: not too soft, not so loud we had to yell at each other.
Dara
Most popular items
Seasonal creations and bespoke favorites crafted with inventive flavor pairings.
Hot Mulled Wine
You must try their hot mulled wine! It is rather boozy.
Kel T Figuratively Speaking
I opted for the "Figuratively Speaking" cocktail, a delightful concoction that showcased the bar's commitment to innovation and seasonality.
Amilliah Bénédictine Lemonade
my friend loved the bénédictine lemonade he got
Moni A Banoffee
loved the Banoffee - it's a dessert in its own right.
Daniel
Other favorites
Specialty pours and comforting bar bites highlighted by guests
Toastie
They make the best toastie you could ever get in a bar.
Li Shawn Peach & Lime Daiquiri
I thoroughly enjoyed the peach & lime daiquiri I ordered.
Moni A The Kraken
Grab yourself the kraken it won't dissapoint.
Michael Lewis Passionfruit Cocktail with Liquid Nitrogen
Passionfruit cocktail with liquid nitrogen was awesome!
Andrew Andrew
Beyond the menu
Thoughtful hospitality details that turn a drink into a memorable ritual.
iPod Soundtrack Pairings
Every cocktail is paired with or inspired by a specific track, complete with an iPod provided directly at the bar so you can immerse yourself in the music while sipping.
Bespoke Off-Menu Tailoring
If you want something off-menu, mixologists build custom drinks on the fly to match your exact palate and evening mood.
Intuitive Drink Recalibration
If a cocktail misses your expectations, the staff immediately replaces it with a fresh, custom pour dialed in to what you wanted.
Multisensory Presentation Accents
Servings arrive with theatrical sensory staging, from glasses resting over bowls of sand and seashells to liquid nitrogen flourishes.
Before you head over
Plan your visit around bespoke flavor tailoring and auditory pairings—book your table now to secure an intimate subterranean evening.
Ask for the Song Pairings
Every signature drink is inspired by a specific song; request the accompanying menu and a bar-provided iPod to immerse yourself in the curated audio pairing.
Order Off-Menu by Palate or Mood
If the seasonal list does not immediately catch your eye, tell the bartenders your preferred flavor profile or mood—they readily tailor bespoke off-menu creations and will swap out anything that misses the mark.
Arrive Early for Unhurried Counter Seating
For quiet conversation or unhurried table service before dinner and theatre crowds, drop in early in the evening or grab a solo seat right at the copper counter.
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