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Life's Too Short Bar, East Melbourne, AU-VIC

Life's Too Short Bar

3.9
3.9
4 Reviews
$40 and under
Wine Bar

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
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 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 3:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    0416 088 000
  • 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.
  • Neighborhood
    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

Gift card

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Experiences

  • 25% Off Your Food Bill with any Eligible Drink

    Multiple dates available
    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.
    25% Off Your Food Bill with any Eligible Drink Photo
  • Back-vintage Wine Flights

    A$30.00 per person

    Feb 21, 2024 - Dec 29, 2024
    Love fine wine? Re-experience the joy of cellared (older) vintages with a customised back-vintage flight of new and old-world wines from Australia and overseas. Enjoy 4, 6 or 8 wines (50ml pours) with optional matched artisan cheeses and/or salamis and a little wine education.
    Back-vintage Wine Flights Photo

Offers

  • Back-vintage Wines for a tiny $8?

    Feb 21, 2024 - Dec 27, 2024
    Wed - Thu - 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    Each Wednesday & Thursday, grab yourself a bargain at Melbourne's best and oldest Happy Hour with $8 back-vintage (old) wines, NV Yarra Valley Sparkling, and a bloody good Hargreaves Hill craft lager. The kitchen is open so there's also plenty of tapas and share plates available to nibble on too.

    Back-vintage Wines for a tiny $8? Photo
  • TGIF: Back-vintage Wines for $8!

    Feb 21, 2024 - Dec 27, 2024
    Fri - 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    Thank God it's Friday! Relax and grab yourself a bargain at Melbourne's best Happy Hour with $8 back-vintage (old) wines, NV Yarra Valley Sparkling, and a bloody good Hargreaves Hill craft lager. The kitchen is open so there's also plenty of tapas and share plates available to nibble on.

    TGIF: Back-vintage Wines for $8! Photo
  • $18 Espresso Martini Royales

    Feb 21, 2024 - Dec 29, 2024
    Sun - 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM,Wed - Thu - 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM,Fri - Sat - 3:00 PM - 10:30 PM
    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.

    $18 Espresso Martini Royales Photo

What people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

3.9
3.9 based on all time ratings
  • 4Food
  • 4Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 3.9Value

NoiseEnergetic

4 Reviews
  1. Steve

    Deactivated - Far North Queensland

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on December 12, 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.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Penny

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 3, 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!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Timothy

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 15, 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

    Is this helpful?

  4. NevS

    Melbourne

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 18, 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.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Life's Too Short Bar is rated 3.9 stars by 4 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.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Life's Too Short Bar

Tribeca Arcade, Shop 2/412 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne, AU-VIC 3002

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    We are located in the centre of the Tribeca Arcade, near the IGA
  • Neighborhood
    East Melbourne
  • Hours of operation
    Wed, Thu 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 3:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $40 and under
  • Cuisines
    Wine Bar, European, Tapas / Small Plates
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • 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)
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Cash not accepted, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Sigrid de Castella
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Vegan, Wine
  • Phone number
    0416 088 000
  • 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.
Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
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