The Florence, Melbournes Most Thoughtfully Built Cocktail Bar

In a city obsessed with restaurants, it’s easy to forget that some of Melbourne’s best nights still happen at the bar.

The Florence is a reminder of why great cocktail bars matter.

The space is warm, elegant and thoughtfully put together. Rich materials, soft lighting and considered details create a room that feels refined without losing its sense of comfort. A place built for lingering over drinks rather than rushing through dinner.

And the drinks are the main event.

The Florence boasts an extensive collection of signature cocktails, a serious Martini list and one of the more interesting Negroni selections in the city. The standout is Count the Cherries, a riff built with house-made cherry vermouth, Cynar and Four Pillars Gin. Rich, bitter and beautifully balanced, it’s the kind of drink that keeps pulling you back for another sip.The food menu follows the classic cocktail bar playbook: small plates designed for sharing. Among the highlights are the fried olives stuffed with pecorino—crispy, salty and incredibly moreish.

The wine list deserves attention too. While there’s a strong Chianti presence, the broader Tuscan selection is where it really shines, offering plenty of depth beyond the region’s most recognisable bottles.

Drawing on the Italian heritage of owner Matteo Bruno, The Florence is a welcome addition to VALARC Group’s growing portfolio. It simply executes the formula exceptionally well: great drinks, thoughtful food, beautiful design and every reason to stay for one more round.