Sip cocktails on a new rooftop with near-360-degree views, tear into a focaccia that rivals Hope St Radio’s and more.

From South Yarra to Thornbury, these new watering holes (some of them sun-drenched) are worth making plans around to soak up the last of the warm weather.

Where I come from it’s all sports bars with blaring TVs.” “Yeah,” I replied. “Welcome to Melbourne.” Sometimes it’s easy to forget how special the independent bars of Melbourne are ...