Melbourne’s love affair with booze is legendary. From the laneway bars pouring craft cocktails to the pubs serving icy pints, booze in Melbourne has long been a cornerstone of the city’s vibrant culture. But in 2025, the landscape of drinking in this city has shifted dramatically. Soaring alcohol taxes, evolving consumer tastes, and a new wave of sobriety have reshaped how Melburnians enjoy their drinks. I’m diving into what’s happening to booze in Melbourne in 2025, with a focus on the people of this city and insights tailored for local readers.

The Price of Booze in Melbourne – Taxes Hit Hard

The cost of alcohol beverages remains one of the biggest modifications in Melbourne’s booze sector during 2025. Publicans throughout the city have strongly criticized federal alcohol tax increases because these higher prices have pushed pub beer costs up to $18 in certain establishments. The rise in hospitality costs due to inflation-based indexation has severely impacted business operations since the beginning of recent economic distress. In mid-2024 John Preston of the Brewers Association of Australia stressed to the public that publicans need to raise prices to survive because government alcohol tax hikes put them in financial jeopardy.

Melburnians experience increased expense when they visit well-known venues The Standard in Fitzroy and The Peel Hotel in Collingwood. Graphic designer Sarah at age 29 feels the rise in prices at Brunswick bars. I budget between $15 and $20 to purchase one alcoholic drink currently. These rising costs have caused me to question my plan of going out to pubs. The increasing beer prices throughout Melbourne cause residents to either drink at home or visit cheaper bottle stores along with distant neighborhood bars.

The Sober Curious Movement – Melbourne’s New Vibe

Melburnians are experiencing a sober curious movement while becoming aware of high-priced items during the 2025 shift. Members of the Gen Z and Millennial generations along with younger adults are decreasing their alcohol consumption because they focus on health needs and wellness in addition to economic concerns. The recent rise of interest in alcohol-free beverages has led bars throughout Melbourne such as Arbory Afloat in Southbank and Welcome to Thornbury in Northcote to expand their selection of non-alcoholic drinks. Alcohol-free cocktail offerings along with tapped kombucha and beer without alcohol no longer appear as secondary options but shine as main menu selections.

According to a 2024 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report alcohol use among 18-34 year old Australians decreased by 15% between 2010–2024 with Melbourne being the leader in this change. Brunswick Aces serves as a popular drinking establishment specialized in brewing alcohol-free spirits which attracts many locals. Co-owner Stephen Lawrence explains that customers desire the social environment but seek to avoid the negative effects associated with hangovers. Melburnians are experiencing a change in alcohol use that extends beyond mere abstinence because it embraces both alcohol-free diversity and inclusive social activities over drunkenness.

Craft Culture Thrives Despite Challenges

Melbourne’s craft beer and artisanal spirit scene remains a point of pride, even in 2025. Breweries like Stomping Ground in Collingwood and Moon Dog in Abbotsford continue to innovate, with limited-edition sours and hazy IPAs drawing crowds. However, the tax burden is squeezing smaller producers. The Australian Taxation Office’s alcohol excise rates, which increase every six months, hit craft brewers harder than multinational giants, as they lack the economies of scale.

Despite this, Melburnians’ loyalty to local makers keeps the scene alive. Events like the Great Australian Beer Festival at Geelong (a short trip from Melbourne) and South Wharf’s BeerFest draw thousands of locals eager to support Victorian brewers. “We’re seeing people choose quality over quantity,” says Emma, a bartender at The Local in Port Melbourne. “They’ll pay $14 for a craft pint because it’s brewed down the road.” Booze in Melbourne, for many, is still about celebrating the city’s creative spirit.

The Return of the Local Pub

As costs rise and tastes shift, Melbourne’s classic pubs are making a comeback in 2025. Venues like The Espy in St Kilda and The Prince of Wales in Richmond are packed with locals craving the no-frills charm of a counter meal and a pot. These pubs offer a counterpoint to the pricey cocktail bars of the CBD, providing affordable(ish) booze in Melbourne’s suburbs. For families in areas like Footscray or Preston, the pub is a community hub, not just a drinking hole.

The resurgence ties into Melbourne’s post-2020 focus on localism. “I’d rather walk to my local in Coburg than Uber to a fancy bar in the city,” says Raj, a 42-year-old teacher. Pubs are also adapting, with many offering non-alcoholic options and hosting events like trivia nights to draw diverse crowds. This evolution ensures that booze in Melbourne remains accessible, even as prices climb.

What’s Next for Booze in Melbourne?

The upcoming years for booze consumption in Melbourne will combine both forthcoming difficulties with potential benefits. The current stance of the federal government on taxing the hospitality industry indicates more potential strain will come to these businesses. The versatility of Melbourne residents indicates their drinking traditions will persist since people find new ways to drink alcohol responsibly or they show their support for local breweries while rediscovering traditional establishments. Municipal bars are profiting from this wellness movement by featuring specially crafted alcohol-free drink menus during both Dry July and Sober October events.

People looking for affordable alcoholic beverages in Melbourne can find good deals at bottle shops including Dan Murphy’s in Prahran and independent stores such as Acland Cellars in St Kilda. Melbourne Cocktail Week together with the Yarra Valley Wine Festival maintain the city’s position as a premier drinking destination.

Tips for Enjoying Booze in Melbourne in 2025

• Go Non-Alcoholic: Try a zero-proof gin and tonic at Brunswick Aces or Naked Life’s canned cocktails at local bottle shops.
• Support Local: Visit craft breweries like Mountain Goat in Richmond for fresh, affordable pints straight from the source.
• Hit the Suburbs: Pubs in areas like Williamstown or Hawthorn often have lower prices than CBD venues.
• BYO Booze: Melbourne’s BYO restaurant scene (especially in Footscray and Richmond) lets you bring your own wine or beer for a corkage fee.
• Check Happy Hours: Bars like The Catfish in Fitzroy still offer $10 pints during happy hour—scout deals via Instagram.

Melbourne’s Booze Scene Is Evolving, Not Fading

Melbourne displays unquestionable endurance through its boozing culture in the year 2025. The city’s abundant love for quality alcohol remains undimmed despite elevated consumption costs and behavioral changes since its citizens will consume anything from handcrafted IPAs to expensive pints to non-alc craft cocktails. Drinking represents three important values for the residents of Melbourne: shared connection, creative exploration and community involvement. The drinking spirit of Melbourne remains vivid throughout all its bars and pubs regardless of the location or drink preference.

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