Bar Clara – Our Review

Dinky and intimate, Bar Clara has both ambience and an imaginative drinks menu. Plus utterly charming bar staff. What’s not to love?

Bar Clara

Location: 87 Little Bourke St, Melbourne, VIC 3000

Now we are the first to admit that Melbourne has more than it’s fair share of frequentable basement bars, but we feel Bar Clara should definitely be added to that elite list. Not least because of the fabulous hospitality pros, manning the bar.

Our visit to Bar Clara is short, but sweet. And although we make it clear from the start that we won’t be either eating or lingering, the service we receive warms and hearts and makes us wish we’d spent longer under their attentive gaze.

Feel like sipping a chilled glass of Chardonnay under the stars? Here’s our take on the Best Rooftop Bars in Melbourne

The Space

Bar Clara is wee, but that breeds a cozy intimacy which we feel is perfect for the basement bar. And a bar that definitely takes influences from the speakeasy period of American history.

The statement feature of the room is a striking copper bar, which is quite the design piece. The room itself is artfully illuminated with discreet, dim lighting. There’s a mix of small round table for lovers to huddle over and communal ones where larger groups can gossip. And seat-wise, plush banquettes and solo chairs vie for bottoms.

Apart from the beautiful bar, there’s a subtle, but intriguing floral element to the space. This comes from ghostly leaf patterns – which appear to be entombed in resin, on the walls.

All-in-all, Bar Clara feels like the kind of joint where secret assignations might take place.

For our guide to the Best Cake Shops, Cake Delivery and Take Away Cakes in Melbourne, see here

The Drinks

Now firstly, the delightful bar staff at Bar Clara will mix you any Classic Cocktail that you can think of. But take our advice and choose something from their small, but perfectly formed, drinks list. In this way, you’ll really get a peek into the soul of this moody, chic drinking den.

As we write, the team are still pouring tipples from their Summer 2025 menu. For refreshment that borders on the healthy, give the Cucumber Smash ($23) a whirl. With Brogan’s Way Gin, House Made Cucumber & Sesame Shrub, Soda & Ice, finished with a Sesame Snap Garnish, it’s light and herbaceous.

In contrast, Tea At Nana’s ($23) is a happy marriage of fruit notes and fragrance. Consisting of luscious, Poached Nectarine Infused Brogan’s Way Vodka & Unico Rosa Vermouth, it arrives in a cute little teacup with a Nectarine Vapour Garnish.

But if you fancy either of these 2 drinks, you need to get in quick. Bar Clara changes it’s cocktails up seasonally.

Follow this link for our rundown of the Best Cocktail Bars in Melbourne

The Food

If you feel like a nibble to go with your highball, Bar Clara has a dinky selection of plates for you to pick over.

Personally, we feel that their aren’t enough Baked Bries ($18) doing the rounds in Melbourne. The one at Bar Clara comes with Cranberry Sauce (hooray!) and Melba Mini Toasts.

If you want something a tad more substantial, then the Funghi Toasties ($15) or the Reuben Toastie ($19) might fit the bill.

Overall

Bar Clara is a gem of a drinking spot.

Intimate and slick, without being pretentious, and with fabulously accommodating staff who know how to shake a great Cocktail.

As Bar Clara sits right next to Chinatown, why not check out one of our Best Chinese Restaurants in Melbourne before you visit?