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Restaurant

Union Electric Bar & Rooftop

13 Heffernan Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Recommended by 45 people

Updated

Find Union Electric Bar & Rooftop

13 Heffernan Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

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

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Union Electric Bar & Rooftop

Tucked down a Chinatown laneway, this two-level haven pairs an intimate brick den with an open-air rooftop gin garden under fairy lights. Regulars duck in beneath the lightning bolt sign for pre-dinner drinks or easy decompression soundtracked by nineties hip-hop. Behind the wood, bartenders steer patrons through deep shelves of local Australian gins, rums, and fresh-pressed juice builds—from coconut profiles to the pandan-scented Hungry Ghost garnished with a flaming cinnamon stick. While there is no in-house kitchen, guests regularly order takeaway from neighboring spots right to their rooftop perch, letting cold spritzes stretch effortlessly into late-night conversation.

  • Rooftop Gin Garden: An open-air garden space above an intimate brick backbar, lit by string lights and framed by Chinatown rooftops.
  • Specialist Gin & Rum Program: Bartenders navigate extensive Australian and international labels alongside signature rum builds and fresh juice mixes.
  • Outside Food Welcome: Guests can bring outside snacks or order local takeout delivered directly to their table on the roof.
  • Curated Hip-Hop Soundtrack: Classic nineties hip-hop and R&B beats create an upbeat, relaxed pulse across both levels.
RestaurantBar

What's On at Union Electric Bar & Rooftop

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose Union Electric Bar & Rooftop

Why guests choose this laneway rooftop haven for inventive drinks and gatherings

  • Two-Level Laneway Bar & Rooftop Garden

    Upstairs features an open-air rooftop decorated with fairy lights and tropical accents, complemented by an intimate lower-level cocktail bar down Chinatown's Heffernan Lane.

    A super cool bar with exposed brick walls and a rooftop garden decorated with fairy lights – perfect for chilling out with friends.

    Pongsarun Phumtip

  • Creative Signature & Tiki Cocktails

    The venue crafts distinct tiki cocktails and inventive recipes, from pandan drinks served with flaming garnishes to refreshing signature coconut mixes.

    The best one by far was this Pandan tiki sort of drink that came out with a flaming cinnamon stick. It was amazing.

    pastelsparkles

  • Specialist Gin & Rum Curation

    Knowledgeable bartenders curate an extensive spirit backbar, offering tailored recommendations on Australian craft gins and distinctive rums.

    It turns out they are gin experts! We had a great chat about their selection of Australian gins and enjoyed several gin and tonics.

    Ben Spooner

  • External Food & Delivery Welcome

    Guests can bring outside snacks or have external restaurant deliveries brought straight to the venue to accompany their drinks.

    You can order food in and have delivered. Limited bar snacks are also available.

    Jo Holland

  • Prime Launchpad for Nights Out in Chinatown

    Positioned in the heart of Melbourne CBD's Chinatown, the venue plays vintage hip-hop tracks, creating an easy backdrop for pre-dinner drinks or wrapping up the workday.

    Perfect spot for after-work drinks or a night out with friends in Melbourne.

    Gena star

  • Effortless Team Gatherings & Group Bookings

    The team accommodates group functions and after-work catch-ups with responsive organization, reserved rooftop seating, and flexible tabs.

    For what was a stressful situation to find a venue for team Christmas function, it turned into a wonderful team event from the very first communication.

    Jo Holland

Inventive house cocktails and guest favourites shaken up in the laneway garden

  • Big Poppa

    I ordered the Big Poppa cocktail – refreshing, tangy, and beautifully presented with grapefruit and rosemary

    Gena star

  • Hungry Ghost

    The pandan cocktail (Hungry Ghost) is the best cocktail I’ve ever had in my life thus far.

    Isabelle Vu

  • Lola

    I recommend the Lola: coconut, ginger, citrus.

    Fernando Gordillo

  • Vanilla Blossom

    Vanilla Blossom and Caught in the Rain were the best!

    Roxana Rappe

Beyond the menu

Attentive hospitality details that make visits effortless and memorable

  • Thoughtful Restroom Essentials

    Guests needing emergency feminine care products find them provided discreetly and thoughtfully in the restrooms.

  • Dedicated Spirit Consultations

    Staff take the time to sit down and walk guests through intricate flavour profiles across Australian and international gins.

  • Outside Food & Delivery Welcome

    Patrons can bring outside party snacks or order hot takeout directly to their rooftop table without restriction.

  • Cozy Blankets & Heaters

    Outdoor patrons stay warm in cooler weather with provided blankets and outdoor heating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you bring outside food or order delivery to the bar?

Union Electric allows patrons to order external food for delivery or bring in their own snacks and nibbles to pair with drinks, alongside limited bar snacks like truffle toasted sandwiches.

Can you make a reservation for groups or the rooftop?

Yes, reservations are accepted and recommended for rooftop spots or larger group gatherings, which helps secure seating since the intimate two-level space fills up quickly.

How does the rooftop setup handle different weather conditions?

The bar offers both an indoor ground floor area and an open-air rooftop space. On very hot days, the rooftop can get warm due to limited breeze, though the downstairs area features mist sprays to cool down. In cooler weather, blankets and heaters are provided on the roof.

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