The 28 best happy hours in Melbourne right now

What: $9.5 Spritzes, $7.5 wines, $6.5 Peroni Rossa
When: Daily 4-6pm
Why we love it: In the mood for an Italian-style happy hour? Baby in Richmond has you covered with their spring aperitivo specials. Drop by from 4pm to 6pm to fulfil your cocktail fantasies with an Aperol Spritz or an Elderflower Spritz – all priced at just $9.50 each. There’s also $7.5 vino and $6.5 Peroni Rossa to round out the fun. Walk-ins are welcome!

What: $5 pots, $10 pints, discounted cans and $12 Bloody Mary cocktails
When: Various specials available all week long
Why we love it: Sometimes you need a happy hour on the very first day of the week. This Fitzroy beer bunker is the place to get over your Monday blues with $5 pots and $10 pints of lager from open until close. You can grab the same deals on Tuesdays if you're upstairs for the Catfish comedy night, and on Thursday you'll get 20 per cent off all cans from the fridge. And the value doesn't stop there. On Friday and Saturday each week, early bird gig-goers can get their hands on $5 pots and $10 pints. Make sure you cure your Sunday hangover with $12 Bloody Mary cocktails from noon to 5pm.

What: $9 wines and tapas
When: Sun-Thu 5-6pm, Fri-Sat 4-6pm
Why we love it: Since opening in 2008, Añada has been one of Fitzroy's most consistently impressive fixtures. The restaurant and bar is beloved for offering a truly authentic Spanish tapas experience, but did you know you can also get an ace happy hour deal here? Until 6pm daily, you can get $9 wines by the glass alongside a tasty selection of tapas. See you there.

What: Free snack with each drink
When: Daily, 4-6pm
Why we love it: One of Melbourne's most beloved institutions for wining and dining, Neighbourhood Wine, has launched ‘Patio Aperitivo’. Everyday, from 4pm until 6pm, all diners on the terrace can enjoy a free snack with each drink purchased. Think fresh pacific oysters from Tassie with a smoky soy vinaigrette; spelt tarts with raw tuna, kohlrabi, mascarpone and elderflower; Robbins Island wagyu with bone marrow and sourdough crackers; and honeydew melon and capocollo. For those after an aperitivo, the thoughtfully curated cocktail menu includes house favourites such as the Fitzroy Northside (thyme syrup, fresh mint, lemon & lime juice), Venetian Spritz (Rondo & Lemoss Prosecco with fresh orange and a green olive) and a Sullied Martini (Four Pillars Gin, dry vermouth, muddles green olive & Kampot pepper). Catch you on the terrace!

What: $12 wines, $7 Asahi, $12 Highballs and G and Ts
When: Mon-Fri 4-5pm, Sat-Sun 3-5pm
Why we love it: Situated at Hamer Hall, Saké is a sweet spot for pre-theatre dining and drinks before a show or after an exhibition at nearby NGV. Held on Monday to Friday from 4pm to 5pm and Saturday and Sunday from 3pm to 5pm, Sake Hour is your best time slot for snagging a hot deal. Think $12 Prosecco, a 250-ml Sake of the Week for $22 and $12 whisky Highballs and G and Ts. It's perfect stuff to wash down a bowl of Saké's edamame ($14) or popcorn shrimp ($18). 

What: $9 wines, $7 beers and $18 cocktails
When: Daily 4-7pm
Why we love it: Located on Level 7 of Voco Melbourne Central, this laidback rooftop offers uninterrupted panoramic views of the CBD – perfect for an afternoon of sipping and grazing to your heart's content. Daily happy hour specials feature $9 Dal Zotto wines, refreshing Pucino Limoncello Spritzes and there are live vinyl DJs playing every Thursday. 

What: $5 pots, $10 pints, $6 wines, $15 Spritzes
When: Mon-Fri 4-7pm
Why we love it: Happy hour is the perfect time to soak up the last of Melbourne's rays before winter in Prahran Hotel's lush outdoor courtyard. The Garden Bar is where a mix of locals and the post-work crowd gather to sip $5 pots, $10 pints, $6 wines and $15 Aperol Spritzes. A weekly rotation of food specials make this a perfect spot to kick on for a solid pub dinner.

What: $9 pints, $5 pots, $9 wines
When: Tue-Sun 3-6pm
Why we love it: Not long ago, Brick Lane Brewing opened a brand new double-storey venue in the heart of the Queen Victoria Market precinct. If you're after an inexpensive bevvy, head to Brick Lane Market's sunny terrace to enjoy $9 pints and $5 pots of Brick Lane's core range of beers. Happy hour runs from 3pm until 6pm from Tuesday to Sunday.

What: $5 Carlton Draught pots, $5 wines, $8 Tanqueray gin
When: Mon-Fri 4-6pm
Why we love it: Every Monday to Friday between 4pm and 6pm, this bayside behemoth slashes the prices on your favourite bevs. You can’t beat $5 Carlton Draught pots, house white and red wines and prosecco, or $8 Tanqueray gin. This is deffo one of the cheaper happy hour deals in town.

What: $28 sangria jugs, $16 Negronis, $8 pints, $8 vodka 
When: Sun-Fri 4-7pm
Why we love it: This Fitzroy staple is serving $28 sangria jugs, $16 Negronis and $8 pints of Naked Draught, plus Naked house-infused vodka from Sunday until Friday between 4pm and 7pm. So all you have to worry about is kicking back and taking in that stunning city view. The best part? From Monday to Thursday and all day long, you can grab a pizza for just $4 with any drink purchased. What a steal! 

What: $10 Margaritas, $5 tacos (Tue only) 
When: Tue-Sat 4-6pm
Why we love it: This Mexican eatery is home to one of Australia's most extensive ranges of tequila and mezcal and offers a menu that blends traditional Mexican food with native Australian ingredients. Best of all, you can enjoy $10 full-sized Margaritas made with Don Julio Reposado from 4pm to 6pm, every night the restaurant is open for trade (Tuesday to Saturday, weekly). As one of Australia's finest purveyors of tequila and mezcal, not only are these Margs delightfully affordable; they're also some of the best you can taste in Melbourne. (Hot tip: on Tuesday nights, you can also get $5 tacos.)

What: $6 schooners, basic spirits and house wine
When: Wed-Fri 4-7pm
Why we love it: Locals in the know head to this inner-southside spot for its cheap pizza (we're talking $5 slices, baby), but on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between 4pm and 7pm, it also offers $6 schooners, basic spirits and house wine. Now, that's a price we can get around.

What: $8.50 beers, wines and basic spirits, $3 oysters
When: Wed-Fri 4-7pm
Why we love it: It’s $8.50 beers, wine and basic spirits every weekday between 4pm and 6pm at this easygoing historic pub. Ramp up the value even further with an $18 jug of HC Draught and if you get a little peckish, you've got $3 oysters and $18 schnitties to sink your teeth into. 

What: $8.50 beers, wines and basic spirits, $3 oysters
When: Mon-Fri 4-6pm
Why we love it: Find $5 pots, $15 Spritzes and $10 house wines on weekdays between 4pm and 6pm at this relaxed neighbourhood pub. With great pub meal specials throughout the week such as the $25 steak night on Tuesdays or the $22 parma night on Wednesdays, you might as well stick around for a delicious dinner too.

What: $8 wines and basic spirits, $10 pints
When: Mon-Fri 4-6pm
Why we love it: The popular pub and beer garden celebrates happy hour every weekday from 4pm to 6pm. Celebrate with $8 house wines and basic spirits and $10 pints. If you're headed in on a Sunday for a juicy $32 roast, be sure to indulge in a cocktail or two – they're on special for $15 all day long.

What: $6 pots, $12 pints, $8 wines, $10 Spritzes
When: Mon-Fri 4-6pm
Why we love it: This friendly corner pub's happy hour deal runs Monday to Wednesday and Friday each week, from 4pm until 6pm. You can get $6 pots, $12 pints, $8 house wines and sparkling and $10 Aperol Spritzes, plus complimentary nibbles. We love a snack 'n' sip deal!

What: $8 wines and basic spirits, $10 pints
When: Mon-Fri 4-6pm
Why we love it: This crowd favourite puts on a happy hour between 4pm and 6pm every weekday, where you can help yourself to $8 basic spirits and house wines and $10 select pints. Not bad, but if you really want to tighten those purse strings, check out the Tightarse Tuesday party. From 8pm, it's $7 pizza, $7 voddies, $8 house wines, $9 pints and $10 White Claws. Heck yeah.

What: $10 wines and spirits, $10 schooners, $15 Spritzes
When: Daily 4-6pm
Why we love it: This Carlton mega pub and rooftop bar is popular among uni students thanks to $10 wines and spirits, $10 schooners and $15 Spritzes poured between 3pm and 6pm every Sunday to Friday. Better yet, if you join the Locals Club app, happy hour extends to all day everyday!

What: $5 house wines, $6 schooners, $7 spirits
When: Mon-Thu 4-6pm
Why we love it: Skinny Dog Hotel has always been a favourite for Kew locals, but last summer ushered in a new and exciting era for the 150-year-old neighbourhood watering hole. A lush new upstairs bar and bistro has opened on the rooftop, Skinny Dog Upstairs, where you can channel your inner California cool amidst the greenery over freshly shucked oysters with Prosecco foam, Spritz cocktails and share plates. Pop in from 4pm to 6pm from Monday to Thursday for $5 house wines, $6 schooners of tap beer and $7 spirits.

What: $10 pints, wines, spirits and Spritzes
When: Mon-Fri 4-7pm
Why we love it: Cheap drinks are good but they're even better when enjoyed on a hot, sunny day outside. Head straight to the Yarra after work for $10 select pints, wines, spirits and Spritzes available from Monday to Friday between 4pm and 7pm.

What: $10 pints, $8 select wines and spirits
When: Daily 4-6pm
Why we love it: This classic South Melbourne pub keeps the good times going all week long, with $10 pints and $8 selected wines and spirits every day between 4pm and 6pm.

What: $10 wines and Spritzes, $8 schooners
When: Weekdays 4-7pm
Why we love it: Bask in lovely riverside sunsets at this South Wharf watering hole with $10 wines and Spritzes and $8 schooners on weekdays from 4pm to 7pm. 

What: $9 wines and schooners, $15 cocktails
When: Weekdays 4-6pm
Why we love it: Caulfield locals will enjoy this relaxed pub’s happy hour, serving $9 house wine and selected Aussie schooners, plus $15 cocktails, every weekday from 4pm to 6pm.

What: $10 pints, $1 wings
When: Thursdays 5-9pm
Why we love it: You can’t miss Thursday nights at this High Street mainstay, with an epic combo of $10 pints and $1 buffalo chicken wings and cauliflower bites available from 5pm to 9pm. What we love about this happy hour is that it's four generous hours long! Wednesday's also a great time to pop in, with $14 burgers and fries and an open mic night.

What: $4 pots, $8 pints, $9 wines, $15 Espresso Martinis
When: Mon-Thu 4-6pm
Why we love it: Escape the hustle and bustle of Swan Street and seek refuge with $4 pots, $8 pints, $9 glasses of house red and $15 Espresso Martinis, served Monday to Thursday between 4pm and 6pm.

What: $7 schooners, $7 wines and discounted cocktails
When: Mon-Fri 4-6pm
Why we love it: Every Monday to Friday between 4pm and 6pm, you can enjoy $7 schooners of beer, cider and seltzer, $7 wines and discounted cocktails on the rooftop of this vegan-friendly northside pub. See you in the sky for a $10 frozen Margarita!

What: $10 pints, $7 wines and $12 cocktails
When: Mon-Fri 4-6pm
Why we love it: This North Fitzroy institution is keeping it simple with $7 house wines, $10 pints of Fitzroy Crisp and $12 select cocktails on weekdays from 4pm to 6pm. 

What: $7 wines, $8 spirits, $9 schooners, $10 Bellinis, $11 pints
When: Mon-Fri 5-7pm
Why we love it: It’s cheap and cheerful at this Docklands oasis with $7 wines, $8 spirits, $9 schooners, $10 Bellinis and $11 pints from 5pm to 7pm on weekends. Drink as much as you like then go on and hightail outta there!