Bar Bellamy in Carlton is thriving,to the point where its owners are ready to expand.

Flying high or calling last drinks:What’s happening with your favourite Melbourne bars?

Some old favourites are closing for good while other spots are packed. What’s going on with Melbourne’s independent bar scene? And why are more venues opening in such a tough economy?

  • Fred Siggins
Wine bar 81 Bay will serve snacks such as prawn toast,perfect for casual visits.

Brighton finally gets the luxe big-name restaurant it has been waiting for

The 200-seat fine diner and wine bar is top chef Ian Curley’s first restaurant outside Melbourne’s CBD. Here’s what to look forward to when Baix opens next week.

  • Tomas Telegramma
Gracie’s lush courtyard is popular on weekends.

From lofty rooftops to leafy courtyards,five new bars for this gloriously sunny weekend

From South Yarra to Thornbury,these new watering holes (some of them sun-drenched) are worth making plans around to soak up the last of the warm weather.

  • Tomas Telegramma
Sippenham.

Find French snacks,espresso martini slushies and BYO wine at Sydney’s new bars

Seven new and soon-to-open bars to put on your drinks list for April.

  • Bianca Hrovat
Crumbed scallop with sauce gribiche.

‘We want people to eat with one hand’:Porcine and P&V teams open French-inspired wine bar

L’Avant Cave will expand on Porcine’s “whole beast” approach in the kitchen while letting diners select wine from P&V’s extensive bottleshop collection.

  • Scott Bolles
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Suze is designed for quick,casual visits that might spill over into dinner.

A new Fitzroy North spot brings Italy’s bar culture to a leafy corner

Suze is the answer when low-commitment dining is on the cards. Expect cheesy pastry puffs,house-made ricotta,and dishes that encourage staying for dinner.

  • Kosa Monteith
Auterra’s guanciale-draped abalone schnitzel sandwich.

This schnitzel sandwich from a three-hat fine diner’s spin-off wine bar is a winner

In a city of chicken-schnitty sangers,this seafood version takes fish ‘n’ chip shop memories and makes them fancy.

  • Tomas Telegramma
Bear’s Wine Bar “is exactly what a neighbourhood wine bar should be”.

‘Feels like a country town’:The inner-city enclave luring Melbourne’s best bakers and bar owners

The suburb’s pace and proximity to the CBD is finally luring a new generation of hospitality operators.

  • Tomas Telegramma
Honey cake at Gray and Gray Bread and Wine in Northcote.

‘We’re just not busy’:Hatted wine bar with a signature slice of cake is closing down

The Georgian restaurant has announced its last day. But its owner is proud to have been at the forefront of something unique for the city.

  • Emma Breheny
Randy’s wine bar in Avalon.

Sydney’s best January dining discounts,from all-you-can-eat noodles to $2 oysters

Plus deals on flame-grilled skewers from the Good Food Guide’s new restaurant of the year and prices from $1 at Sydney’s first hot pot train.

  • Bianca Hrovat