The best beach bars in Melbourne for an ice cold Jim Beam & Cola with mates

Having announced a new partnership with Surfing Australia, Jim Beam is primed to make waves this summer and cement itself as the nationwide tipple of choice.

There’s no doubt it pairs perfectly with blue skies and a bit of banter with your best mates, and whether you prefer your Jim Beam with cola or in a refreshing cocktail, there are few better places to enjoy it than in Melbourne.

The city may have a reputation for four seasons in one day, but that just means the locals know how to make the most of those sunny ones.

Below, you’ll find a bunch of Melbourne’s best beachside bars that are bound to bring good times this summer.

Republica

Few places buzz like Republica in the summertime. This laidback joint sits just behind St Kilda Beach and is a tried-and-tested favourite for sundowners.

It’s all too easy to roll in off the sand and order a pizza, sip a cold can of Jim Beam & Cola and listen to the live music playing every single day. If you’re after chilled vibes, head to Republica for lunch or through the late afternoon; if you’ve energy to burn, tear up the dance floor come Saturday evening.

And be sure to snag a table by the foreshore if people-watching is your thing – St Kilda has a long history of colourful characters and fun-loving backpackers.

The Espy

Whether it’s for a cold drink in the beer garden or a heaving gig in the legendary Gershwin Room, a visit to The Espy, which has been serving drinks in beachside St Kilda since 1878, is a Melburnian rite of passage.

Recent renovations have taken this storied, salt-licked pub to the next level, with 12 different bars across five levels offering everything from lip-smacking cocktails to Cantonese dining and classic pub grub.

The Main Bar and Terrace, which overlooks Port Phillip Bay, is the perfect place to post up on a summer afternoon, enjoy an ice-cold can of Jim Beam and mingle with the eclectic crowd – tradies, artists, backpackers and footy players – that’s sure to gather.

The Continental

The Continental – or ‘Conti’, as it’s known locally – has come a long way in recent years. Looming large in the glitzy Mornington Peninsula suburb of Sorrento, the Conti has undergone an epic transformation to become a beachside beacon boasting fine dining, spa facilities and a luxury hotel.

Rather than lose its celebrated charm, however, the Conti has leaned into its history as a coastal pub by balancing its more classy elements with a revamped Conti Bar serving up pub classics and cold drinks across the bar area, beer garden and streetside promenade.

You won’t regret perching here after a long day in the sun.

The Local

It’s all in the name, right? The Local has everything you could want from a local – good vibes, sports on the tele, a menu covering your fave pub feeds and, of course, a whole host of ways to enjoy an ice cold beverage.

Conveniently located a block back from Port Melbourne Beach, The Local is a year-round haunt for after-work drinks, weeknight specials and weekend parties, though the warmer months lend the two-level venue a particularly welcoming atmosphere. We recommend aiming for a spot on the balcony overlooking Bay Street.

And whichever one you end up at, be sure to take a break and stroll down to the beach for a blazing sunset over Port Phillip Bay. If your mates have any decency, there’ll be a Jim Beam & Cola waiting once you’ve returned.