It might look like an old caretaker’s cottage – but this Melbourne block hides a stunning bar that just made the ‘world’s best’ list

A quaint brick cottage, located in the heart of Melbourne’s bustling CBD, is gaining worldwide attention for what’s hidden inside.

Within the charming historic structure is a modern bar, aptly named the Caretaker’s Cottage, which Melburnians are calling their new favorite haunt.

Caretaker’s Cottage was one of two Australian establishments to make the World’s 50 Best Bars for 2023, finishing in 23rd place.

Guests pack the hidden gem downtown to sample its world-class cocktails while enjoying the ultra-cool gear, tunes from the DJ booth-slash-bar’s spinning vinyls, snacks and casual pub vibes.

Guinness is served on tap, as well as an ever-changing selection of craft beers, while bartenders can shake up what the 50 World’s Best Bars jury of cocktail specialists called ‘Australia’s coldest Martini’.

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In a small historic cottage in Melbourne’s CBD lies an ultra-chic bar that has just been named one of the top 50 in the world

Caretaker’s Cottage was one of two Australian establishments to make the World’s 50 Best Bars for 2023, finishing in 23rd place

Guests pack the hidden gem and sample its world-class cocktails while enjoying the modern decor, tunes from the DJ booth slash bar, snacks and casual pub vibes

One visitor raved online about Caretaker’s Cottage’s ‘great atmosphere, great music, great hospitality, fantastic drinks’.

‘I had to see it with my own eyes to believe what they say. It’s true, I can see why people like this little bar house!’ they said.

Another guest said it had to be the ‘smallest bar in Melbourne’, while another was a fan of the quirky artwork on the cottage’s walls.

“I love this bar more than I ever loved my ex… It’s a great place to meet both locals and people from all over the world,” said one reviewer.

One visitor online raved about Caretaker’s Cottage’s ‘great atmosphere, great music, great hospitality, fantastic drinks’, while another called it Melbourne’s smallest bar

Guinness is served on tap, as well as a selection of craft beers, while bartenders can shake up what the 50 World’s Best Bars jury of cocktail specialists called ‘Australia’s Coldest Martini’

The Little Lonsdale cottage was built in 1914 as a home for the caretaker of Wesley Place Church and cost just £850 to build.

It was the caretaker’s house until the late 1990s and opened as a bar in early 2022.

In its short history, it was on the long list of World’s 50 Best Bars last year, landing at number 60, but in 2023 it rose a whopping 37 places.

The other Australian venue in the world’s top 50 is Sydney’s iconic Maybe Sammy, which came in at number 15.

Perhaps Sammy has made the prestigious list every year since it opened in 2019, moving up 14 places after taking 29th place in 2022.

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