Red Monkey Tea House

What an absolute gem of a find!
If you’re looking for a hipster place to be seen in, this isn’t for you. If you instead feel like an astounding selection of both alcoholic drinks and teas (as the name suggests), you’ll be in heaven.
The bartender/​owner has managed to create a truly unique experience, and my favourite type of bar (where you can sit down and chat to the barkeep all night). The prices are reasonable, the music eclectic and interesting, and the bar itself is a great place to go gather your thoughts, enjoy drinks with a small group, or take a date for the ‘get-to-know-you’s’.
I have been both on the weekend and during the week, and it is always a treasured destination when I can find the time to spend there.

Not easily noticed as you walk along Victoria St from Errol St, but Red Monkey Tea House is a great little bar and one to seek out if you’re up for a bar experience in North Melbourne but don’t desire the buzz of Prudence. It’s a one-​room situation — a small area with a bar that sells spirits, wine and a range of beers and ciders by the bottle. Nothing on tap, but the prices are very reasonable.
There are also a few tables out the front, but instead of sitting on Victoria St, push the back door open and discover the tiny little courtyard, with a couple of tables (one semi-​sheltered) and a little outback dunny. It’s definitely a shame on a sunny day if a group has already taken over the courtyard as it’s the best spot to be, but the staff will make you very welcome inside too. A friend of mine had birthday drinks out the back once and it was great — like being in someone’s backyard, but with a bar handy!

Red Monkey is a snug little bar, just off the main strip of North Melbourne. It has a very small, partially sheltered court yard in the back that is a really nice place to hang out in warmer weather. The barman is nice and will happily suggest beers from their decent selection. They don’t have beer on tap, so it is only available by the bottle, which makes it a bit more pricey if you’re just planning on having one or two drinks.