The Carlton Hotel

Apparently this place is more of an institution than a simply hotel, and a quick wander around inside shows you why. In fact it looks like a pretty classy place, though I have to say that it isn't hugely expensive. Mind you, I've only ever come here for a drink, and even then the prices were pretty standard. They have a variety of beers available, but they tend to be the more popular varieties (though they do have some craft beers). Mind you, this place can get pretty crowded, and the balcony is actually quite popular. In fact there have been a number of times I've come here to discover a handful of people inside and a huge crowd out on the balcony. Apparently there is also a rooftop garden, but I haven't the chase to check it out yet.

This place is different on every floor and impossible to describe but is very colourful and has giant giraffes and other animals as decor. It is a cool pub to chill out at. However, they don't serve food always, there are specific times which is a bit of a pain if you're a late lunch goer

This is a great bar! Very nice decor, cosy yet roomy at the same time. The rooftop bar is great, has a great outdoor feeling to it, feels like you're at some tropical island. The bar on the first floor also has a restaurant in it. It feels like a classy place but they don't knock you back if you're not in a shirt or slacks which is good. Highly recommended whether you're after a big night or a chilled night relaxing with a drink or two.

After a great night out with the girls trying to locate as many of Melbourne's best hidden bars as possible, The Carlton Hotel was a great find and definitely one that made it up very high on our list. We went straight up to the rooftop deck where we felt we had been transported to South Beach Miami - the palm trees were swaying, the cool tones were soothing and the thatched roof bar was beckoning. One slight problem is the drinks service - you can place an order upstairs but the drinks actually have to be made downstairs and transported upstairs by a rather interesting looking hydrolic lift system - luckily you could order mixed spirits and a selection of cocktails by the jug and as it wasn't our first drink for the night, we were happy to wait a while and soak up the atmosphere and night view of the city. We then went downstairs to the main bar area - I loved it - we were greeted by a life sized ostrich at the door (stuffed I might add)and then mesmerised by an ...read more