From the moment you walk down the stairs and past the painting by local artist Steen Jones you know you're in a very Melbourne basement.

Way back in 2000 a new and very different place called Polly opened and set the benchmark for bars in the area with great service and high end cocktails.

First birthday parties are always special, it's the time you celebrate the fact you survived a whole year and didn't sell your child into slavery or kill yourself. Copious amounts of alcohol will generally do the trick and most parents' saving grace.

Wizey Baleitavuki is centre stage slinging drinks in this neon lit, frat themed den of American dive bar goodness.

High above Smith Street, overlooking the treetops and the old buildings, Panama Dining blends 70's class with a touch of grunge to give patrons a relaxed...

Usually when there's a bolt of lightning you're guaranteed of mass destruction. However when this one hit Heffernan Lane a new watering hole magically appeared called Union Electric Bar.

You often walk into an elegant bar, order a beautiful drink and get a nice serve of attitude on the side. Not at Collins Quarter and not with head bartender Mr Zeb Plater. Experienced and well respected amongst his peers, Zeb quietly and confidently prepares his beverages with minimal fuss and maximum precision.

The Paris end of Collins Street. Synonymous with high fashion, beautiful boutiques and stunning architecture. Near the corner of Exhibition Street, tucked away in a lovingly preserved Victorian terrace is the swanky Collins Quarter.

Here we bring you a sneak peek into Melbourne's iconic Gin Palace. Known as one of this city's first lane way bars, it opened in 1997 thanks to the very savvy and entrepreneurial Vernon Chalker who created a place to meet and drink in a dark and mysterious basement in Russell Place.