In most cities, a bar wants you to find it. In Melbourne? We make you work for it. Some of the city’s best drinks are hidden behind fake bookcases, tucked down “is-this-even-safe?” graffiti laneways, or buried deep beneath the bluestone streets of the CBD.

If you’re tired of the same old neon signs and want a drink with a side of mystery, Taste Marketplace has the keys to the city. We’ve rounded up the best guided tours to get you past the “Staff Only” doors and into the inner sanctum.

Think of this as a history lesson, but with way more booze and zero exams. The Hidden Bars and Laneway Legends tour takes you on a three-hour trek through the CBD’s eastern side to uncover the scandals that built this city.

• The Vibe: Tales of temperance movements, gambling-era police commissioners, and the “wild west” days of Melbourne’s early bar scene.
• The Perk: You get “Contact The Boss” access, your guide will drop a list of tailored restaurant recommendations so you aren’t wandering the streets hangry once the tour ends.
• Price: From $64.99

If you know your botanicals from your mash bills, this is your holy grail. This tour is strictly small-batch (under 10 people) and focuses on the craft of the pour. You’ll visit the CBD’s only working distillery and hit up the oldest whisky bar in town.

• The Experience: No stingy single pours here. You’re getting full tasting paddles (3 x 20ml spirits) at every single stop.
• The Perk: An exclusive “connoisseur’s map” of Melbourne and Fitzroy, plus a free dram when you sign up for The Whisky Club.
• Price: $169.99

Do you like your cocktails with a side of goosebumps? This tour winds past the Old Melbourne Gaol and through the shadows of Chinatown, pairing premium drinks with stories of serial killers and Victorian-era crimes.

• The Experience: Three concealed bars, three premium cocktails, and enough ghost stories to make you keep the lights on tonight.
• The Perk: A shopping bonus at Clementine’s, the go-to spot for incredible Victorian-made treats and produce.
• Price: From $63.99

This is for the person who watches the bartender more than the view. Hidden Bars of Melbourne focuses on the “how” and “why” of a great drink, visiting four venues tucked into repurposed buildings and forgotten spaces.

• The Experience: Direct access to the bartenders. It’s all about the technique, the ingredients, and finding your new favorite flavor profile.
• The Perk: The Premium Drinks Package upgrade. Choose this, and a hand-crafted cocktail will be waiting for you at every single stop. No waiting, just sipping.
• Price: From $89.00