
What we’re about
Our beginnings were around January 2013 on Meetup and slowly formed a small group of like minded Melbournites getting together on Thursdays to raid a different bar every week - avoiding repeats each year!
We still to this day keep that tradition going, but we are not such a small group these days and we have evolved to be about even more than just raiding bars...
Raiders of the Lost Bars are an events team focused towards creating experiences tuned towards meeting and connecting with others through interactive events, theme parties, and exploration of Melbourne's most interesting night spots.
From the rooftops to the basements, the extravagant to the dirty dives, from the spacious to small intimate places for a quiet drink all often within a short walk away from each other, we will find them all! With over 300 bars and night spots in the city and 100's more around the inner suburbs, there is no shortage of venues to enjoy.
We also enjoy putting on theme parties around once a month, best known for our Halloween party, College Party and UV Full moon party.. And these are huge and only getting bigger as we gain more and more support from the best party people in Melbourne.
WHAT ARE WE ALL ABOUT?
Primarily we are about meeting new people, we love the Melbourne bar scene and we want to scout every street, laneway & alley in the CBD and the surrounding inner suburbs in search of the coolest bars around! In the process meet a variety of friendly bar enthusiasts, from backpackers, to corporate professionals, to people new in town and of course, the party people of Melbourne!
IS THIS A SINGLES CLUB?
Pfft! No way! It's a "Bar exploration club"! Couples, singles, lgbt, anyone is welcome and accepted. Yes there are many single people that attend, but it's the same as anywhere you go in Melbourne's great nightlife. We are just out to socialise and see new places.
ARE YOUR EVENTS ABOUT GETTING WASTED AND DRUNK? This is a common misconception, we encourage responsible alcohol consumption. There are many people that limit themselves to only one drink and a couple of regulars who don't drink at all, we are not about getting smashed, wasted, intoxicated or anything else of that nature. As already mentioned, we are about meeting new people and exploring new bars. Drinking beyond your means is not condoned.
CAN I JUST ROCK UP ON MY OWN?
Yes! That is what most people do and it is what we encourage! If you come with friends, you are likely going to talk to your friends all night and that's no fun! If you feel you need a bit of moral support from friends though we also understand and that's totally cool! We have been doing this for years and we know how to make you all feel welcome, we have hosts and regulars who are there to help welcome you to the group.
SO WHAT HAPPENS AT AN EVENT?
We provide members with the address of the venue and who the hosts are. Once you have made contact with the group you will meet the various people who attend. Expect to see many smiles, and great conversation.
BUT I AM TOO SHY!!
If, at any time, you feel a little lost or shy at an event, please come and find the host! Your hosts will introduce you to people or you can just stick around and have a drink with the organisers. We want this to be a positive social experience for everyone and make sure we cater for shy-types as well as social butterflies.
WHY SHOULD I GO?
If you are still not convinced, but your still reading this, then you are probably in two minds whether this is for you or not. The beauty of our events are you can leave at any time you like... if you only come for 10 minutes to suss it out THAT'S OK! :) We don't have any rules, it's pretty easy going. Just don't be a dickhead.
WHO CAN JOIN?
Most members are aged 20s to 40s. Choose the events that suit you. Try the group out first then decide if you like it! Whether you're new to Melbourne, or just don't know many bars this group is a must! You might go to some bars you didn't even know existed!
I recommend looking through our upcoming events. Signing up is FREE, easy and well worth it!
ANY MORE QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US :)
Upcoming events
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Trinity St Kilda 😊 Thursday Socialising
Trinity St Kilda, 2 Brighton Road St Kilda, Melbourne, AUTrinity St Kilda was a historic church hall, and is now home to a spectacular pub/beer hall featuring a state-of-the-art main bar and a beer garden with a food truck
Come along for relaxed socialising and making new friends. Don't worry if you are coming along by yourself or don't know anyone - new people are always welcome. We have all been the new person at some point in time
Perks to being early: Happy Hour 5pm-6pm:
$8 wines and $12 pints (except hard solo)Join us to meet new people and see the familiar faces of the regular members. This is a regular weekly group for socialising and unwinding for the weekend
Address: 2 Brighton Road, St Kilda
Events are also on:
Meet New People, Make Real Friends https://www.meetup.com/casual-catchups-and-cool-connections/
Bartopia https://www.meetup.com/bartopia/
Bartopia https://www.facebook.com/groups/bartopia/
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bartopia.melbourne/9 attendees
🧚 New Bar! 🧚Arcane Fairies ✨CBD location
Arcane Fairies, Ground Floor, 185 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, AUA new bar has opened in the CBD! Arcane Fairies is at street level, located below Storyville. Bring your sweet mischief or bold temptation and let's check it out!
Come along for relaxed socialising and making new friends. Don't worry if you are coming along by yourself or don't know anyone - new people are always welcome. We have all been the new person at some point in time
Join us to meet new people and see the familiar faces of the regular members. This is a regular weekly group for socialising and unwinding for the weekend
Events are also on:
Meet New People, Make Real Friends https://www.meetup.com/casual-catchups-and-cool-connections/
Bartopia https://www.meetup.com/bartopia/
Bartopia https://www.facebook.com/groups/bartopia/
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bartopia.melbourne/Address: 185 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne Vic 3000
https://arcanefairies.com.au/6 attendees
Afloat Rio 🏖️ After Work Social Event 🍹
AFLOAT, Flinders Walk, Melbourne, VI, AUAfloat is back on the Yarra, bringing all the rhythm, flavour and colour of marvellous Rio de Janeiro. Afloat is a popular venue serving cocktails, drinks, mains and bar bites in a beach club-style setting on the river 🏖️🍹
Address: 2 Flinders Walk, Melbourne Vic 3000
A short walk from Flinders Street Train Station.
(Afloat is on the Yarra River. Arbory is amongst the trees)
https://afloat.melbourne/Come along for relaxed socialising and making new friends. Don't worry if you are coming along by yourself or don't know anyone - new people are always welcome. We have all been the new person at some point in time
Join us to meet new people and see the familiar faces of the regular members. This is a regular weekly group for socialising and unwinding for the weekend
Events are also on:
Meet New People, Make Real Friends https://www.meetup.com/casual-catchups-and-cool-connections/
Bartopia https://www.meetup.com/bartopia/
Bartopia https://www.facebook.com/groups/bartopia/
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bartopia.melbourne/6 attendees
🎅 Santa Bar Crawl! 🎉✨
WhiteHart, 22 Whitehart lane, Melbourne, AUSanta Suits 🎅 Christmas Themed Costumes 🎄 Red and Green Clothes 🎉 wear something Christmas related and join us at the Santa Bar Crawl! 🦌
Join us for a Saturday night of socialising and drinking at a few bars before hitting the dance floor! 💃🎶🎵
A perk of wearing Christmas themed outfits is that it makes it easier to find each other so make the most of wearing a Santa suit or something red/Christmassy (an angel costume, the Grinch…) 🎅✨🎄
6:00pm meet at Whitehart bar, at the end of Whitehart Lane (Whitehart bar can also be accessed via a narrow alleyway off Lonsdale Street)
7:45pm Myer’s Christmas window in Bourke Street - it’s a tradition of the Santa Bar Crawl to walk along Bourke Street Mall
8:00pm from the intersection with Swanston Street we will head over to the next bar!
All venues are in the CBD
Costumes: almost everyone wears Santa suits (usually available in the lead up to Christmas at Arthur Daley's on Swanston Street and Big W). Previous years have included the Grinch with green body paint and costume, an angel, and Christmas tree costumes
New people are always welcome! Come along and make new friends
Events are also on:
Meet New People, Make Real Friends https://www.meetup.com/casual-catchups-and-cool-connections/
Bartopia https://www.meetup.com/bartopia/
Bartopia https://www.facebook.com/groups/bartopia/
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bartopia.melbourne/9 attendees
Past events
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