About us
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!ย Your hosts will introduce you to people or you can just stick around and have a drink with the organisers.ย 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
4

Good Vibes โ๏ธ Social Chats
Hotel Esplanade (The Espy), 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda VIC 3182, Australia, St Kilda, AUCome along to The Espy in St Kilda for after work chats and drinks. ๐ Hotel Esplanade is Melbourne's iconic seaside pub and has historically been one of the most popular bars in St Kilda. The hotel was built in 1878 and remains one of the earliest, largest and most prominent 19th-century resort hotels in Victoria.
๐ Most people come along by themselves so don't worry if you don't know any of the other members. Come along for relaxed socialising and making new friends in a change of scenery. New people are always welcome. We have all been the new person at some point in time.
๐ Location: Hotel Esplanade (The Espy), 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda VIC 3182
๐ How often do we have events? Weekly! Join us at a different bar/pub each week 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.
โน๏ธ Events are also on:
Meet New People, Make Real Friends MeetUp https://www.meetup.com/casual-catchups-and-cool-connections/
Bartopia Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/bartopia/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bartopia.melbourne
5 attendees
๐ Social Chats and Margaritas
The Boatbuilders Yard, 23 S Wharf Promenade, South Wharf VIC 3006, Australia, South Wharf, AUJoin us at The Boatbuilders Yard for after work relaxing and chats. The Boatbuilders Yard is a waterfront pub with modern food and drinks on offer. Come along to meet and chat with people and wind down after work.
๐ฅณ Thursday special:
$18 margaritas 5pm-8pm- Spicy Watermelon Margarita
- Tommyโs Margarita
- Classic Margarita
- Spicy Pineapple Margarita
https://theboatbuildersyard.com.au/events/18-margs/
๐ Most people come along by themselves so don't worry if you don't know any of the other members. Come along for relaxed socialising and making new friends in a change of scenery. New people are always welcome. We have all been the new person at some point in time.
๐ How often do we have events? Weekly! Join us at a different bar/pub each week 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.
โน๏ธ Events are also on:
Meet New People, Make Real Friends MeetUp https://www.meetup.com/casual-catchups-and-cool-connections/
Bartopia Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/bartopia/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bartopia.melbourne
5 attendees
๐ Santa Bar Crawl! ๐โจ
Dr. Watson's Bar, 417 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia, Melbourne, AUSanta Suits ๐ Christmas Themed Costumes ๐ Red and Green Clothes ๐ wear something Christmas related and join us at the Santa Bar Crawl! ๐ฆ
Join us for a Saturday night of socialising and drinking at a few bars before hitting the dance floor! ๐๐ถ๐ตA 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 Grinchโฆ) ๐ โจ๐
๐ 6:00pm meet at Dr Watsonโs bar on Collins Street. We will be here until approx 7:25pm.
๐ 7:35pm approx Myerโs Christmas window in Bourke Street - itโs a tradition of the Santa Bar Crawl to walk along Bourke Street Mall ๐คฉ Continue to the next bar!
๐ฅณ 7:45pm the second bar
๐ 9:30pm another bar!
๐ Later: dance floor at a bar
All venues are in the CBD.๐ Costumes: almost everyone wears Santa suits (available in the lead up to Christmas at Arthur Daley's on Swanston Street, Big W, Kmart, Spotlight). Previous years have included the Grinch with green body paint and costume, an angel, and Christmas tree costumes.
๐ New people are always welcome! Come along and make new friends
โน๏ธ Events are also on:
Meet New People, Make Real Friends https://www.meetup.com/casual-catchups-and-cool-connections/
Bartopia Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/bartopia/4 attendees
โจ Christmas Eve Social โจ
Morris House, 120 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia, Melbourne, AUItโs the night before Christmas so letโs get together at Morris House rooftop bar for socialising and chatting! Morris House is a popular rooftop bar and is suitable for all types of weather conditions. Come along to meet people and have an evening out at this beautiful rooftop in Melbourneโs CBD.
Don't worry if you are coming along by yourself or don't know anyone. Most people come by themselves, and new people are always welcome. We have all been the new person before.
Optional: wear red/green/Christmas accessories.
๐ How often do we have events? Weekly! Join us at a different bar/pub each week 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.
โน๏ธ Events are also on:
Meet New People, Make Real Friends https://www.meetup.com/casual-catchups-and-cool-connections/
Bartopia Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/bartopia/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bartopia.melbourne/
5 attendees
Past events
667


