The owner of an iconic Melbourne bar said the city was losing the “heart of what made it so great” as he confirmed he was one of two CBD institutions shutting their doors this year.

Winis Apet, 20, became the fifth Melbourne man in the last 10 days to be shot dead when he was killed while leaving a shisha bar in a Springvale alley in the city's south-east just before midnight.

The owner of an iconic Melbourne bar said the city was losing the “heart of what made it so great” as he confirmed he was one of two CBD institutions shutting their doors this year.

A hole-in-the-wall cocktail bar, inspired by Bax’s favourite Italian bars such as Harry’s Bar in Venice, Bar Americano has encapsulated much of what is unique and fun about Melbourne’s city.

It's been a while between drinks. And lattes. And lunches. In case you missed it, these are the new CBD destinations to get you from 9 to 5 and beyond.

The owner of an iconic Melbourne bar said the city was losing the “heart of what made it so great” as he confirmed he was one of two CBD institutions shutting their doors this year.