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Beneath Driver Lane — Restaurant in Melbourne

Name
Beneath Driver Lane
Description
Cocktails, spirits & French bites in an old-timey underground hangout with live music on weekends.
Nearby attractions
Outré Gallery
249 Elizabeth St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
ONE PLANET Shop
1/377 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
State Library Victoria
328 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Athenaeum Theatre
188 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Shot Tower Museum
Melbourne Central/211 La Trobe St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Melbourne Town Hall
90/130 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Graffiti Wall
3000, Australia, Victoria, Melbourne, Crown Pl
Regent Theatre
191 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Manchester Unity Building
220 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Melbourne Laneways & Arcades Self-Guided Walking Tour
200 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Nearby restaurants
Haidilao Hotpot - Emporium
Level 3 Shop 304/287 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Brother Baba Budan
359 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Waku Waku
346 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Tipo 00
361 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Shanghai Street Little Bourke
342 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
+39 Pizzeria CBD
362 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Izakaya Domo
GPO Postal Lane, Shop 28/350 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
OMI 380​
380 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Sweet Canteen
shop 3/8 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Osteria Ilaria
367 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Nearby local services
Emporium Melbourne
287 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Myer Melbourne
Level 3/336 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
JB Hi-Fi - Elizabeth St
239 Elizabeth St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Melbourne's GPO
350 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Bourke Street Mall
Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
David Jones - Bourke Street Mall
310 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
The Strand Melbourne
250 Elizabeth St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Readings Emporium
Shop 1 - 016/287 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Royal Arcade
335 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
St Francis’ Church
326 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Nearby hotels
Mercure Welcome Melbourne
265 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Quality Apartments Melbourne Central
318 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Pullman Melbourne City Centre
265 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
YTI Garden Hotel
378 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
ibis Melbourne Central
399 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Causeway Inn On The Mall
327 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Brady Apartment Hotel Hardware Lane
Unit 1, Ground Floor/388 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
voco Melbourne Central by IHG
18 Timothy Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Novotel Melbourne on Collins
270 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Novotel Melbourne Central
399 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Related posts
Keywords
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Beneath Driver Lane things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
Beneath Driver Lane
AustraliaVictoriaMelbourneBeneath Driver Lane

Basic Info

Beneath Driver Lane

Shop/3 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
4.6(689)
Open until 2:30 AM
Save
spot

Ratings & Description

Info

Cocktails, spirits & French bites in an old-timey underground hangout with live music on weekends.

attractions: Outré Gallery, ONE PLANET Shop, State Library Victoria, Athenaeum Theatre, Shot Tower Museum, Melbourne Town Hall, Graffiti Wall, Regent Theatre, Manchester Unity Building, Melbourne Laneways & Arcades Self-Guided Walking Tour, restaurants: Haidilao Hotpot - Emporium, Brother Baba Budan, Waku Waku, Tipo 00, Shanghai Street Little Bourke, +39 Pizzeria CBD, Izakaya Domo, OMI 380​, Sweet Canteen, Osteria Ilaria, local businesses: Emporium Melbourne, Myer Melbourne, JB Hi-Fi - Elizabeth St, Melbourne's GPO, Bourke Street Mall, David Jones - Bourke Street Mall, The Strand Melbourne, Readings Emporium, Royal Arcade, St Francis’ Church
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Website
driverlanebar.com
Open hoursSee all hours
Fri4 PM - 2:30 AMOpen

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Featured dishes

View full menu
Bleu D’Auvergne Mornac
Smooth & salty French cow blue
Milawa Brie
Local brie with rich mushroom and earth flavour
Monte Rosso Taleggio
Mild semi soft taleggio interpretation from Adelaide Hills region
Agour Ossau Iraty
Semi hard sheep’s cheese from Southern France
AOG Swiss Gruyere
Minimum 12 months aged, nutty & earthy hard cow cheese

Reviews

Live events

Eat & Drink Melbourne: A Hospo-Led Walking Tour
Eat & Drink Melbourne: A Hospo-Led Walking Tour
Thu, Feb 12 • 10:30 AM
West Melbourne, Victoria, 3003, Australia
View details
Melbourne Yarra Valley Wine, Gin, Whisky, Choc Day
Melbourne Yarra Valley Wine, Gin, Whisky, Choc Day
Sat, Feb 7 • 9:00 AM
Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
View details
Titanic: A Voyage Through Time
Titanic: A Voyage Through Time
Fri, Feb 6 • 4:20 PM
Level 1, 206 Bourke Street, Melbourne, 3000
View details

Nearby attractions of Beneath Driver Lane

Outré Gallery

ONE PLANET Shop

State Library Victoria

Athenaeum Theatre

Shot Tower Museum

Melbourne Town Hall

Graffiti Wall

Regent Theatre

Manchester Unity Building

Melbourne Laneways & Arcades Self-Guided Walking Tour

Outré Gallery

Outré Gallery

4.7

(201)

Closed
Click for details
ONE PLANET Shop

ONE PLANET Shop

4.8

(71)

Open until 6:00 PM
Click for details
State Library Victoria

State Library Victoria

4.8

(1.8K)

Open until 6:00 PM
Click for details
Athenaeum Theatre

Athenaeum Theatre

4.4

(1.3K)

Open 24 hours
Click for details

Nearby restaurants of Beneath Driver Lane

Haidilao Hotpot - Emporium

Brother Baba Budan

Waku Waku

Tipo 00

Shanghai Street Little Bourke

+39 Pizzeria CBD

Izakaya Domo

OMI 380​

Sweet Canteen

Osteria Ilaria

Haidilao Hotpot - Emporium

Haidilao Hotpot - Emporium

4.8

(1.8K)

Open until 1:00 AM
Click for details
Brother Baba Budan

Brother Baba Budan

4.5

(1.5K)

Open until 6:00 PM
Click for details
Waku Waku

Waku Waku

4.4

(945)

Open until 10:00 PM
Click for details
Tipo 00

Tipo 00

4.5

(1.4K)

$$

Open until 9:30 PM
Click for details

Nearby local services of Beneath Driver Lane

Emporium Melbourne

Myer Melbourne

JB Hi-Fi - Elizabeth St

Melbourne's GPO

Bourke Street Mall

David Jones - Bourke Street Mall

The Strand Melbourne

Readings Emporium

Royal Arcade

St Francis’ Church

Emporium Melbourne

Emporium Melbourne

4.4

(6.2K)

Click for details
Myer Melbourne

Myer Melbourne

4.2

(4.4K)

Click for details
JB Hi-Fi - Elizabeth St

JB Hi-Fi - Elizabeth St

4.1

(2K)

Click for details
Melbourne's GPO

Melbourne's GPO

4.3

(1.2K)

Click for details
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Reviews of Beneath Driver Lane

4.6
(689)
avatar
1.0
2y

Unprofessional management and discriminatory treatment

I am compelled to share my recent experience at your establishment, and unfortunately, it is with great disappointment that I write this review. It pains me to say that the decline in the overall quality of your establishment is glaringly evident, and it is primarily attributed to what can only be described as poor management.

Last week, my two friends and I arrived promptly when your door was open, eager to enjoy a pleasant afternoon. Initially, a female worker welcomed us warmly, even joking about being the first customers and extending the courtesy to choose our drinks. However, our positive start took an abrupt turn when we encountered a male bartender( maybe manager), presumably a manager, whose actions left us feeling targeted and, quite frankly, discriminated against.

Despite the open door and the invitation from your female employee, the male bartender insisted that the establishment was closed, accusing us of arriving early. When I inquired about the opening time, he vaguely responded with "now" and suggested we find a seat. This initial confusion was manageable, but it set the tone for an increasingly unpleasant experience. He then pointed to the 2 booths at the far left side saying we cant sit there as they are reserved...however we can sit anywhere else.

We chose a smaller booth on the total opposite side as the bartender pointed to suggested, only to be informed by the same male bartender that we couldn't occupy the booth at the end, as it was reserved. This contradictory information left us puzzled, but we complied and selected an alternative booth. To our astonishment, a mere five minutes later, another male bartender approached us, instructing us to vacate our chosen booth, citing a potential need for it later. Booths that did not have any reserve signs on them.

This arbitrary decision seemed entirely unwarranted, especially given the emptiness of the establishment and the dubious explanation that the booth might be needed for a larger group. We felt targeted and discriminated against, as it became increasingly evident that the rules were selectively enforced against us.

Due to the mishandling of this situation, we opted to leave the premises without making any purchases. We had intended to spend $90 on three $30 drinks, a contribution that would have covered the wages of three staff members for the hour. Instead, your establishment lost both revenue and the opportunity to foster positive customer experiences.

The service we encountered was nothing short of terrible, leaving us upset and bewildered. I sincerely hope that you address these issues promptly, as such negative experiences can have a lasting impact on...

   Read more
avatar
5.0
32w

Beneath Driver Lane – A Moody, Magical Cocktail Experience

What a cool and atmospheric bar. Beneath Driver Lane is tucked underground in the CBD, and the moment you walk in, you know you’re in for something special.

Interior & Entry: Entry is via a large, sensor-activated door that feels like the gateway to a secret. Once inside, you descend the stairs into a moody, dimly lit basement bar with stone walls, candle-like lighting, and a layout that balances intimacy with buzz. Seating includes high tables and bar stools that feel both casual and sophisticated.

Drinks & Service: The bartenders here are true mixologists, crafting cocktails with finesse and flair. Every drink we ordered was visually stunning and perfectly balanced—we tried quite a few different cocktails and honestly could’ve kept going all night. Each one felt like a mini work of art, and watching them being made was half the fun.

Food: We started to get a little peckish and ordered:

Reuben Grilled Sandwich: Delicious and comforting—crispy bread, tender meat, just the right amount of melt and tang.

Fries with Aioli: Hot, crispy, and addictive—perfect bar food to go with the cocktails.

Toilets & Safety: The restrooms were clean and well-maintained. I also really appreciated the thoughtful “mint signal” safety initiative—if you're ever feeling unsafe, you can discreetly hand a mint to the bartender for help. It’s comforting to know places like this are thinking about their guests' safety.

Atmosphere: The blues music playing in the background gave the space so much soul. It was the right volume—present but not overpowering—and created an ambiance that felt both lively and laid-back. The temperature inside was comfortable throughout the evening.

Location & Access: It’s best to park nearby and walk, as it's in a busy central area with limited immediate parking. That said, the stroll is worth it—the bar feels like a little escape from the world above.

Overall: A solid 10/10 experience. I’ve already flagged it as a place to return to soon. Whether you're a cocktail connoisseur or just looking for a unique night out, Beneath Driver Lane delivers style, substance, and...

   Read more
avatar
1.0
2y

The worst experience I've had in a bar. BE AWARE!

Extreme levels of unprofessionalism from Zach the Bar Supervisor and a female bartender/host, last Thursday night whose name has been missed.

I normally never put a bad review, but customers be aware the team are unfriendly. It made sense when I read all the negative reviews of the bar that they have a tendency to treat their customers aggressively and with rudeness. I came to Melbourne for a work meeting from Sydney and thought the 4.7 stars had given testament of BDL being a bar to experience while my time in Melbourne. However I had left there feeling worse off from the experience.

The female bartender had an aggressive attitude when greeting us at the door. Her genuine vibe had made us felt most unwelcome. Upon her explaining the drinks to us, she was not very clear and it came across as a novice bartender. From there I spoke to Zach the supervisor who had a great chat with me about the person I was with. From there I collected my drink and headed back to speak with the person I was with and for the next hour or two we were disturbed by the bartender and her colleague about 6 times despite us only buying one cocktail.

It reached to the end of our night, where we decided to leave the venue, however the person I was with needed to go the bathroom. When she had went, the bartender had accompanied her to the bathroom and for 10 minutes shared the details of the conversation I had with Zach standing in the bathroom, placing her in a very awkward position.

Her pathetic attempt was not able to impact the relationship with the person I was with, with the most inappropriate thing of the. bartender wanting to connect with her on socials.

I tried to reach out to Zach and discuss this with him, however he did not want to communicate.

Feel free to connect with me if you want to know more about the...

   Read more
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Posts

Kia YangKia Yang
Beneath Driver Lane – A Moody, Magical Cocktail Experience What a cool and atmospheric bar. Beneath Driver Lane is tucked underground in the CBD, and the moment you walk in, you know you’re in for something special. Interior & Entry: Entry is via a large, sensor-activated door that feels like the gateway to a secret. Once inside, you descend the stairs into a moody, dimly lit basement bar with stone walls, candle-like lighting, and a layout that balances intimacy with buzz. Seating includes high tables and bar stools that feel both casual and sophisticated. Drinks & Service: The bartenders here are true mixologists, crafting cocktails with finesse and flair. Every drink we ordered was visually stunning and perfectly balanced—we tried quite a few different cocktails and honestly could’ve kept going all night. Each one felt like a mini work of art, and watching them being made was half the fun. Food: We started to get a little peckish and ordered: Reuben Grilled Sandwich: Delicious and comforting—crispy bread, tender meat, just the right amount of melt and tang. Fries with Aioli: Hot, crispy, and addictive—perfect bar food to go with the cocktails. Toilets & Safety: The restrooms were clean and well-maintained. I also really appreciated the thoughtful “mint signal” safety initiative—if you're ever feeling unsafe, you can discreetly hand a mint to the bartender for help. It’s comforting to know places like this are thinking about their guests' safety. Atmosphere: The blues music playing in the background gave the space so much soul. It was the right volume—present but not overpowering—and created an ambiance that felt both lively and laid-back. The temperature inside was comfortable throughout the evening. Location & Access: It’s best to park nearby and walk, as it's in a busy central area with limited immediate parking. That said, the stroll is worth it—the bar feels like a little escape from the world above. Overall: A solid 10/10 experience. I’ve already flagged it as a place to return to soon. Whether you're a cocktail connoisseur or just looking for a unique night out, Beneath Driver Lane delivers style, substance, and soul in spades.
Your browser does not support the video tag.
Meng Tzu TangMeng Tzu Tang
推! 2023.3.29 氣氛、生蠔、威士忌、調酒! 調酒師很專業 Zack很棒很好聊 吧台位置不多,但等了下還是安排! 給五顆星星 對了有wifi 記得連 地下室沒訊號
Vineet SuriVineet Suri
The worst experience I've had in a bar. BE AWARE! Extreme levels of unprofessionalism from Zach the Bar Supervisor and a female bartender/host, last Thursday night whose name has been missed. I normally never put a bad review, but customers be aware the team are unfriendly. It made sense when I read all the negative reviews of the bar that they have a tendency to treat their customers aggressively and with rudeness. I came to Melbourne for a work meeting from Sydney and thought the 4.7 stars had given testament of BDL being a bar to experience while my time in Melbourne. However I had left there feeling worse off from the experience. The female bartender had an aggressive attitude when greeting us at the door. Her genuine vibe had made us felt most unwelcome. Upon her explaining the drinks to us, she was not very clear and it came across as a novice bartender. From there I spoke to Zach the supervisor who had a great chat with me about the person I was with. From there I collected my drink and headed back to speak with the person I was with and for the next hour or two we were disturbed by the bartender and her colleague about 6 times despite us only buying one cocktail. It reached to the end of our night, where we decided to leave the venue, however the person I was with needed to go the bathroom. When she had went, the bartender had accompanied her to the bathroom and for 10 minutes shared the details of the conversation I had with Zach standing in the bathroom, placing her in a very awkward position. Her pathetic attempt was not able to impact the relationship with the person I was with, with the most inappropriate thing of the. bartender wanting to connect with her on socials. I tried to reach out to Zach and discuss this with him, however he did not want to communicate. Feel free to connect with me if you want to know more about the experience. Thanks.
See more posts
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hotel
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Pet-friendly Hotels in Melbourne

Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.

Beneath Driver Lane – A Moody, Magical Cocktail Experience What a cool and atmospheric bar. Beneath Driver Lane is tucked underground in the CBD, and the moment you walk in, you know you’re in for something special. Interior & Entry: Entry is via a large, sensor-activated door that feels like the gateway to a secret. Once inside, you descend the stairs into a moody, dimly lit basement bar with stone walls, candle-like lighting, and a layout that balances intimacy with buzz. Seating includes high tables and bar stools that feel both casual and sophisticated. Drinks & Service: The bartenders here are true mixologists, crafting cocktails with finesse and flair. Every drink we ordered was visually stunning and perfectly balanced—we tried quite a few different cocktails and honestly could’ve kept going all night. Each one felt like a mini work of art, and watching them being made was half the fun. Food: We started to get a little peckish and ordered: Reuben Grilled Sandwich: Delicious and comforting—crispy bread, tender meat, just the right amount of melt and tang. Fries with Aioli: Hot, crispy, and addictive—perfect bar food to go with the cocktails. Toilets & Safety: The restrooms were clean and well-maintained. I also really appreciated the thoughtful “mint signal” safety initiative—if you're ever feeling unsafe, you can discreetly hand a mint to the bartender for help. It’s comforting to know places like this are thinking about their guests' safety. Atmosphere: The blues music playing in the background gave the space so much soul. It was the right volume—present but not overpowering—and created an ambiance that felt both lively and laid-back. The temperature inside was comfortable throughout the evening. Location & Access: It’s best to park nearby and walk, as it's in a busy central area with limited immediate parking. That said, the stroll is worth it—the bar feels like a little escape from the world above. Overall: A solid 10/10 experience. I’ve already flagged it as a place to return to soon. Whether you're a cocktail connoisseur or just looking for a unique night out, Beneath Driver Lane delivers style, substance, and soul in spades.
Kia Yang

Kia Yang

hotel
Find your stay

Affordable Hotels in Melbourne

Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.

Get the Appoverlay
Get the AppOne tap to find yournext favorite spots!
推! 2023.3.29 氣氛、生蠔、威士忌、調酒! 調酒師很專業 Zack很棒很好聊 吧台位置不多,但等了下還是安排! 給五顆星星 對了有wifi 記得連 地下室沒訊號
Meng Tzu Tang

Meng Tzu Tang

hotel
Find your stay

The Coolest Hotels You Haven't Heard Of (Yet)

Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.

hotel
Find your stay

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Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.

The worst experience I've had in a bar. BE AWARE! Extreme levels of unprofessionalism from Zach the Bar Supervisor and a female bartender/host, last Thursday night whose name has been missed. I normally never put a bad review, but customers be aware the team are unfriendly. It made sense when I read all the negative reviews of the bar that they have a tendency to treat their customers aggressively and with rudeness. I came to Melbourne for a work meeting from Sydney and thought the 4.7 stars had given testament of BDL being a bar to experience while my time in Melbourne. However I had left there feeling worse off from the experience. The female bartender had an aggressive attitude when greeting us at the door. Her genuine vibe had made us felt most unwelcome. Upon her explaining the drinks to us, she was not very clear and it came across as a novice bartender. From there I spoke to Zach the supervisor who had a great chat with me about the person I was with. From there I collected my drink and headed back to speak with the person I was with and for the next hour or two we were disturbed by the bartender and her colleague about 6 times despite us only buying one cocktail. It reached to the end of our night, where we decided to leave the venue, however the person I was with needed to go the bathroom. When she had went, the bartender had accompanied her to the bathroom and for 10 minutes shared the details of the conversation I had with Zach standing in the bathroom, placing her in a very awkward position. Her pathetic attempt was not able to impact the relationship with the person I was with, with the most inappropriate thing of the. bartender wanting to connect with her on socials. I tried to reach out to Zach and discuss this with him, however he did not want to communicate. Feel free to connect with me if you want to know more about the experience. Thanks.
Vineet Suri

Vineet Suri

See more posts
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