Life's Too Short Bar

4.2

6 Reviews

$40 and under

Wine Bar

Make a booking

2 people

17 Mar 2025

19:00

Experiences are available.

Charming
Great for creative cocktails
Great for fine wines

Overview
Wine Bar, European, French

LIFE’S TOO SHORT BAR is Melbourne’s most romantic hidden gem, housed in the 160-year-old bluestone cellars of the former Victoria Brewery. With around 28 wines by the glass, over 40 cocktails and 12 eclectic brews, there’s also an extensive European-themed gluten-free and coeliac-safe tapas and dining menu available from early afternoon until 11pm at night. There’s also an old and rare cellar wine list available with wines up to 20 years old.

Visiting Life’s Too Short is unlike most other dining experiences – it’s more like visiting a private lounge room than a bar, with super comfy chairs and couches and relaxing bossa-nova jazz. Rotating art exhibitions on the gallery walls and live jazz most Thursdays means there’s always something new to see and hear ... and whether it be cocktails, wine or food, there’s always something new to try!

FRONTLINE DISCOUNT: Medical staff, police, Abulance and Firefighters can enjoy 10% off their bill. ID required.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$40 and under
Cuisines
Wine Bar, European, Tapas / Small Plates
Hours of Operation
Wed, Thu 16:00–23:00 Fri, Sat 15:00–23:00 Sun 15:00–22:00
Phone number
0416 088 000
Website
http://www.lifestooshortbar.com.au/
Payment Options
AMEX, Cash not accepted, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive Chef
Sigrid de Castella
Private party facilities
As a tiny bar we have the flexibility to open on special days and to accomodate your private functions seven days a week. From lavish 8-course degustation dinners for 4 to 12 people, seated affairs for up to 28 people, right up to and cocktail & canapé events for up to 40 people. Please contact us to discuss your corporate, group, or private needs.

Location
Tribeca Arcade, Shop 2/412 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne, AU-VIC 3002
Area
East Melbourne
Cross Street
We are located in the centre of the Tribeca Arcade, near the IGA
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
TRAM Routes 109 or 12, Stop 16 Wellington Street / BUS routes 246, 302, 303, 304, 305 & 309 Clarendon St or Smith St along Victoria Parade / TRAIN stops North Richmond or Jolimont (5 minute walk)
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Vegan, Wine

Gift card

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Experiences

FREE Live Jazz with $30 Credit
A$33.50 per person
Prepaid
6 Feb 2025 - 18 Dec 2025
Join us for a night of jazz grooves in the heart of Melbourne! Each Thursday night, experience the magic of live music by some of Melbourne's finest musicians in the historic Bluestone Cellar c. 1854. Get ready to tap your feet and sway to the rhythms as our talented solo musicians play their own unique style of jazz at Life's Too Short Bar - from hot summer jazz, jazz manouche, jazz blues, to bossa nova jazz, with a little ska, latin, and singing. Join us from 6PM for tapas, dinner, and drinks, musicians play from 7PM until 10PM every Thursday. Why book? It helps us to staff appropriately PLUS you get the best seats in the house AND a $30 per ticket credit against your F&B (minimum spend) on the night, making your ticket fee almost free!

Offers

$18 Espresso Martini Royale (Melbourne's Best!)
30 Jan 2025 - 31 Dec 2025
Sun - 15:00 - 21:00,Wed - Thu - 16:00 - 22:00,Fri - Sat - 15:00 - 22:30
Come and put arguably Melbourne's best Espresso Martini to the test for $18, all day every day, as long as you ask nicely. Featuring fresh-pulled Code Black 3056, top-shelf spirits and two extra special secret ingredients, it's not just a Martini, it's a Royale.
25% Off Food with any Eligible Drink
30 Jan 2025 - 28 Dec 2025
Sun - 15:00 - 17:30,Wed - Thu - 16:00 - 17:30,Fri - Sat - 15:00 - 17:30
Dine early and enjoy 25% your food bill when you purchase any eligible full-priced drink. CONDITIONS: Discounted dining available from open, last orders at 5:30PM. Minimum purchase of one eligible beverage per diner (mocktail, cocktail or full-priced wine). This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other specials, promotions or drink specials. Dine in only, no take away.
Back-vintage (old) Wines for a tiny $9?
30 Jan 2025 - 28 Dec 2025
Wed - Thu - 16:00 - 18:00,Fri - 15:00 - 18:00
Grab yourself a bargain at Melbourne's best and oldest Happy Hour with $9 back-vintage (old) wines, NV Yarra Valley Sparkling, and a bloody good Hargreaves Hill craft lager. Available Wednesday - Friday, from open until 6PM. PLUS our kitchen is open so there's also plenty of tapas and share plates available to nibble on too.

What 6 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.2

4.2 based on all time ratings

4.1Food
4.3Service
4.4Ambience
3.9Value

Noise • Energetic

6 Reviews

A
Andy
Melbourne2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 8 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great range of tapas, cocktails, good wine list and friendly staff. I’m not sure why it wasn’t busy on a Saturday night. The flaming crepes were a spectacular end to an excellent meal.
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N
Nicole
Melbourne1 review
5.0
Dined on 15 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent wines and wine knowledge. Beautiful little tucked away bar with the ambience of a special little place that locals only get to know about .. worth going looking to find it hidden in its arcade/laneway location. Great place for a date, to catch up with special friends, or for an afternoon wine sampling at the bar. Accomodating with food dietaries and a good modern international food mix.
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S
Steve
Deactivated - Far North Queensland8 reviews
5.0
Dined on 12 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Cute little bar that punches well above its weight with food and wine. Tony is a great source of advice for which wine to try next. Chef Sigrid's food is top-notch. The jazz guitarist created a pleasant vibe while we grazed on a charcuterie board and tried new grape varietals. Very enjoyable evening. Thanks to the whole team.
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P
Penny
San Francisco1 review
5.0
Dined on 3 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food, drinks and service. The live jazz on a thursday night was perfect- beautiful music played so well & perfect volume for the venue. A highlight of our Melbourne stay- we'll definitely be back!
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T
Timothy
Chicago5 reviews
4.0
Dined on 15 August 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Quiet local restaurant/bar with a nice range of food and drink options
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NS
NevS
Melbourne1 review
5.0
Dined on 18 April 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Very enjoyable evening - great food and wine with lovely live background jazz music (Thursday night feature). We had a few extra guests and they were warmly accommodated.
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FAQs

Life's Too Short Bar is rated 4.2 stars by 6 OpenTable diners.

Life's Too Short Bar does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.