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Restaurant

Caretaker's Cottage

139-141 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

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Find Caretaker's Cottage

139-141 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

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HoursMonday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM Tuesday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM Wednesday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM Thursday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM Friday: 4:00 PM – 1:00 AM Saturday: 4:00 PM – 1:00 AM Sunday: Closed

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Caretaker's Cottage

Cocktail craft meets house-party pulse inside a heritage bluestone cottage tucked into the CBD. The list rotates monthly with a tight roster of seven or eight drinks—from the Little Italy to the gin-based Fanta Pants—poured alongside draught Guinness. Behind the counter, bartenders double as DJs, cueing vinyl between shaking tins. Night owls treat the walk-in space as the benchmark for Melbourne hospo—dense, social, and stripped of pretension, right down to the chilled carafe of sparkling water landing the moment you squeeze inside.

  • Monthly Rotating Cocktails: A monthly rotating menu of seven to eight drinks balancing inventive modern builds with dependable pours of Guinness.
  • Vinyl & Bartender DJs: Bartenders spin vinyl records directly behind the bar while mixing drinks without missing a beat.
  • Historic Bluestone Cottage: A preserved 19th-century bluestone cottage delivering high-energy communal standing room in the heart of the city.
  • Warm Hospitality: Attentive service starts the moment you step through the door, with complimentary carafes of sparkling water for every table.
RestaurantCocktailBar

What's On at Caretaker's Cottage

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Spend Your Evening at Caretaker's Cottage

Experience world-class cocktails, vinyl grooves, and warm cottage hospitality—book your visit now to secure an unforgettable Melbourne evening.

  • Monthly Rotating Craft Cocktails

    A fresh, eight-drink seasonal lineup reimagined every month ensures cocktail enthusiasts discover innovative techniques and balanced flavours on every visit.

    It’s a testament to the mixologist team that they are churning out a new menu every month with such good cocktails.

    Avijeet Sen

  • Bartenders Behind the Turntables

    Skilled bartenders curate the room’s vibrant tempo from behind the mahogany, seamlessly mixing vinyl records on the turntables while shaking drinks.

    I’ve never been to a bar where the cocktail crafts(wo)man is also a dj who actually knows how to read the room.

    Sarah Rebello

  • Vibrant, Communal Gathering Space

    The intimate layout and dedicated standing spots create an electric, communal environment where conversations spark naturally among guests.

    Since everyone sits or stands so close together, it felt like one big group of friends having fun together.

    Ivory Z

  • Engaging, Conversational Bar Staff

    Approachable and conversational hosts engage every guest directly, transforming casual drinks at the bar into a lively social experience.

    Not only were the drinks delicious and the vibes on point, but we had so much fun talking to our bartenders-Jack, Chantelle and Darren.

    Lisa Gooch

  • Genuinely Welcoming Hospitality

    Despite global accolades and world-class craft standards, the service delivers relaxed, grounded Aussie warmth that leaves stuffiness at the door.

    Everyone is made to feel like a rockstar, your drink order is handled with sincerity and the hospitality is genuine, fun and professional.

    James Irvine

  • Attentive and Thoughtful Care

    Even during peak hours, staff proactively coordinate spots, track table transitions, and prioritize guest comfort with dedicated personal care.

    they found us a standing spot while waiting for a table to free up, then followed up once one was available and make sure we were comfortable & taken care of.

    Kieren Bonanno

Standout cocktails and classic pours celebrated by visitors.

  • Guinness

    Cocktails & Guinness were great.

    Kieren Bonanno

  • Little Italy

    My standouts were the Lynchburg Lemonade and the Little Italy which were properly next-level.

    Michael

  • Lynchburg Lemonade

    My standouts were the Lynchburg Lemonade and the Little Italy which were properly next-level.

    Michael

  • Momento Cocktail

    Their momento cocktail is probably the best from the menu.

    Kenny Pollock

Other favorites

Rotating monthly creations and house drinks that highlight the bar's inventive cocktail program.

  • House Martini

    Their house martini also has a unique flavor.

    77 12

  • Midori Splice

    Midori Splice which had a nice cool melon tang

    Seric Burns

  • Champ Stamp

    Champ Stamp which was a very smokey, mezcal-forward, strawberry drink that paired together much better than I expected.

    Seric Burns

  • Bitter Mai Tai

    Our favs were the Bitter Mai Tai, the Nightbird and the Miami Vice Milk Punch.

    Avijeet Sen

Beyond the menu

Attentive hospitality rituals that turn a casual drink into a memorable event—reserve your evening to experience them firsthand.

  • Table-Side Sparkling Water

    Guests are greeted with a fresh carafe of sparkling water served automatically the moment they take their seats.

  • Tailored Custom Cocktails

    Bartenders craft bespoke off-menu drinks on the spot, tailoring unique recipes to guests' brief flavor preferences.

  • Curated Local Guides

    Staff take time to curate handwritten recommendations and local neighborhood tips for out-of-town guests exploring the city.

  • Impromptu Celebration Gestures

    The crew delivers spontaneous gestures for milestone birthdays while actively transitioning guests from standing spots to comfortable tables.

Before you head over

Key practical advice on walk-in arrival, seasonal drink ordering, and seating options to help you plan your visit.

  • Plan for Walk-In Entry and Standing Room

    The venue operates on a walk-in basis with no reservations, and the small cottage space fills up quickly during peak hours. Expect to wait in standing spots while the staff coordinate table availability.

  • Explore the Monthly Rotating Menu

    The cocktail list rotates every month with seven to eight seasonal drinks. If you want something specific, the bartenders also craft custom off-menu drinks based on your flavor preferences.

  • Select Your Seating Area by Occasion

    The bar has only 3 to 4 front-row seats for watching the bartenders DJ vinyl records, while the darker indoor cottage suits date nights and outdoor courtyard tables offer a relaxed setting in warm weather.

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