We’ve finally made it through one of the coldest recorded winters in Melbourne’s history, so we deserve nothing more than to gather our friends and enjoy a beverage at one of Melbourne’s great venues out in the sunlight! Whether you want to soak up that sun on a rooftop, by a river, on the beach or in a cute courtyard, you can find a great place in this list. These beer gardens can be hired privately so you can enjoy an intimate or large scale event with that extra Vitamin D.
Secret Garden – St Kilda
Hidden away off Fitzroy Street in the heart of St Kilda, Secret Garden is definitely a secret worth sharing. There are 3 different outside areas available for hire at the Secret Garden for your sun-basking event. The venue boasts luxury day beds, greenery and a timber deck, and offers exclusive bar access and iPod DJ facilities.
The Deck – CBD Melbourne
Enjoy a drink beneath the skyscrapers and the sunlight in the middle of the CBD. The Rooftop Deck provides access to a private bar, PA system with projector, screen and microphone, DJ Booth and a BBQ to go along with your beverage. The bar holds up to 400 patrons or you can hire a smaller part of the venue.
Pilgrim – CBD Melbourne
Looking for a place to take your friends that showcase the beauty of Melbourne with the addition of the mysterious sun? Then Pilgrim is the place for you. Situated next to the waterfront, Pilgrim offers stunning view of Melbourne’s greatest city architecture including Federation Square, Eureka Tower and the Arts Centre. The bar even offers an all-Australian selection so you can really enjoy a very authentic experience amongst friends or co-workers.
Damask Bar – Fitzroy
Situated on Brunswick Street in the quirky, creative hub of Fitzroy, Damask Bar offers a beer garden with food and beverage service for you to hire privately. You can book the entire venue for $150 or share amongst other patrons at no extra cost. Enjoy a range of Middle Eastern food including Mediterranean meatballs, grilled prawns, lamb kafta skewers and more for your group and try out a cocktail or 3 from the large list of cocktails available.
Tazio – CBD
No matter what your taste, Tazio will have a room for you. With 8 different function spaces, Tazio ensures that your sunshine garden event works for you. As the host, they will even provide you with two complimentary cocktails! Live music, DJ facilities, projector and microphone can all be arranged and there’s no minimum spend, as Tazio always ensures you are enjoying yourself.
Boatbuilders Yard – CBD
The Decks, Dukes or Waterfront? Any part of the Boatbuilders Yard for your gathering of friends will provide some of the best views in Melbourne. Sit along the waterfront to bask in the sun and view the water with a stunning view of the city skyline as a backdrop. Hide amongst the lush vines or play a round of Bocce amongst friends in Dukes, or bring in a band and change the room to suit your needs in The Space. Designed by award-winning architects, The Space allows you to change around retractable glass panels to create an open-air space or a fully enclosed heated room.
Riverland Bar – CBD
Tucked beneath Federation Square and nestled along the Yarra River, Riverland Bar is another wonderful way of viewing what Melbourne has to offer whilst being able to soak up the sun’s rays and downing a drink all at the same time. Riverland provides the option for a casual self-service BBQ and even a networking buffet breakfast.
We love a sunburned country (but try remember to slip, slop, slap), so get your friends out and celebrate in this great city of ours!
By Samantha Howard
