Looking for the best wine bars in Melbourne for date night? You’re spoiled for choice. From Olivine Wine Bar at Pentridge to the buzzing Hope St Radio in Collingwood to the effortlessly cool Bar Liberty in Fitzroy, Marion Wine Bar, Old Palm Liquor & Bahama Gold… there are almost too many impressive wine bars to choose from.
Melbourne does a lot of things well, but wine bars? Next level. Whether you’re somewhat of a wine connoisseur looking to try some of the best wine straight from Victoria’s vineyards or want to impress a date with your venue choice, we’ve got you. Below is a curated list of the best wine bars in Melbourne from someone who, well, loves wine (and whose partner is a sommelier … so, by extension, I know good wine).
Our expert drinks writers and editors have nailed a list of their favourite wine bars in Melbourne to help you find what you’re looking for on a night out. These nearby wine bars aren’t hard to find because they’re bursting at the seams with patrons itching to get a dose of natural wine, rosé, and Aussie shiraz. There’s never a bad time to have wine, but you’ll want to find a place that serves a little food on the side as well.
Best Wine Bars in Melbourne at a Glance
The highlights of our list goes like this:
- Best for Australian wine: Marion Wine Bar
- Best for International wine: Bijou Bottle Store & Bar
- Best for food: Bahama Gold/Old Palm Liquor
- Best for cool vibes & ambience: Hope St Radio
- Best for “something different”: Olivine Wine Bar at Pentridge
Now that we’ve looked at our favourites, let’s check out the complete list.
1. Marion Wine Bar
- Address: 53 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
- Hours: Sun-Mon 12 pm – 10 pm
- Phone: (03) 9419 6262
- Glass of wine average: $17
If you’re after an effortlessly cool wine bar that focuses on delivering both excellent wine options and unbelievably tasty food too, Marion Wine Bar is my top pick. It’s upmarket without being too stuffy – so if you’re new to the wine scene, it’s the perfect spot to ease into it. With incredibly friendly and knowledgeable staff, you’re bound to pick up a good wine tip or two.
The wine list itself is extensive, I’m talking about 20 pages long. It can be overwhelming but again, the staff at Marion are beyond helpful, so just sing out if you need a hand choosing the right glass or bottle. Marion’s wine selection contains bottles sourced locally in Australia, and from around the globe. Their list features small producers and exciting blends covering the breadth and depth of the winemaking world.
And let’s not forget about the food. While it’s certainly not budget-eating, the quality and serving size for price makes it well worth it. For serious bang for buck, I’d recommend the Chef’s Selection ($85), which showcases the best of what Marion has to offer like the famous flat bread from fromage blanc, raw tuna & white soy and an incredibly juicy grilled O’Connor striploin. At its core, Marion is a true neighbourhood gem (and well worth the visit if you’re not a local).
2. Carlton Wine Room
- Address: 172-174 Faraday St, Carlton VIC 3053
- Hours: Tues-Thurs 3 pm – 11 pm, Fri-Mon 12 pm – 11 pm
- Phone: (03) 9347 2626
- Glass of wine average: $18
Carlton Wine Room (CWR) has been a local inner-north staple since it opened its doors in 2018, and if you wander past on any given night, you’ll find the wine bar packed inside and spilling out onto Faraday St. Carlton Wine Room offers a dynamic and ever-evolving wine list that features roughly 100 carefully curated wines – including a variety of both classic and contemporary wines, sourced from local and international vineyards.
What’s cool about this wine bar is the wine list includes a little coding system to guide your selections: a wine glass for sparklings CWR recommends, a tree hugger for biodynamic wines, and an orange for skinsy wines. It’s fun, and playful – and an easy way to dip your toes into the dynamic world of wine. If you’re still unsure, you’ll find helpful and knowledgeable staff working the floor and ready to help you find your ideal drop.
Alongside its wine offerings, The Carlton Wine Room complements its wine list with a food menu that’s equally thoughtful: think European bistro-style, featuring seasonally-curated dishes designed to perfectly match their wines. From smaller bites like oysters and anchovy toast to larger, hearty dishes such as flat head with mussels and tomato veloute, or wagyu rump camp with butcher’s sauce, the menu beautifully enhances the wine tasting experience.
3. Lilac Wine Bar
- Address: 31 Stephenson St, Cremorne VIC 3121
- Hours: Tues-Thurs 4pm – 11 pm, Fri-Sat 12 pm – 12 am
- Phone: (03) 9973 2061
- Glass of wine average: $15
If you’re looking for a cosy spot to unwind with a glass (or two) of vino, check out Lilac Wine Bar. Tucked away in a converted warehouse in Cremorne, it features exposed brick walls, flickering candlelight, a crackling fireplace, and the soothing sounds of vinyl records spinning in the background (plus a large disco ball hanging from the roof – because why not?)
But let’s be real, decor is important but we’re here for the wine – and ,am, does Lilac Wine deliver. Their wine guru and sommelier Richard Buck (ex Aru, Melbourne) has put together an impressive list of over 250 bottles, with a focus on small-scale, artisanal producers who aren’t afraid to push the boundaries. You’ll find loads of organic and biodynamic options, as well as craft beer and local spirits.
And the food? Just as good as the wine list. Head chef Kyle Nicol (trained at Michelin-starred restaurants), whips up an eclectic mix of French bistro comfort food and nostalgic Aussie dishes from his childhood. He’s all about using local, seasonal, and native ingredients, and he even goes foraging for some of the produce himself. Love that.
4. City Wine Shop
- Address: 159 Spring St, Melbourne VIC 3000
- Hours: Mon-Thurs 12 pm – 11 pm, Fri-Sun 12 pm – 12 am
- Phone: (03) 9654 6657
- Glass of wine average: $17
City Wine Shop is one of the best wine bars in Melbourne CBD, and is my go-to for a takeaway bottle on my way home (because if I dine in, I find it hard to leave after one glass of wine). It’s the perfect combo of a bottle shop and wine bar, styled after those European enotecas (essentially, a European wine shop). Get a takeaway bottle, or drink in (but be mindful of the $25 corkage fee).
This CBD wine bar has been a staple on Spring St since 2004, and they have a massive selection of wines, both local and imported, so there’s always something new to try without breaking the bank. Plus, if you have no idea where to start, the staff are very helpful and will find you the perfect bottle (or glass, if you’re being sensible).
The food offering is also strong. You’ll find some delish European-inspired dishes from The European next door. Think: chicken schnitzel, polenta chips, spaghetti marinara, pappardelle with lamb ragu, and plenty more.
It’s super cosy inside, but if Melbourne’s weather plays nice, grabbing a seat outside is the best. Whether you’re popping in to grab a bottle or settling in for a few glasses and a meal, City Wine Shop will have you returning time and time again.
5. Bijou Bottle Store & Bar
- Address: 194 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
- Hours: Mon-Sun 12 pm – 1 am
- Glass of wine average: $16
Bijou Bottle Store & Bar is the perfect wine bar that says to a date, “I know good wine, and this is good wine.” It’s a small but cosy spot, but you’ll find it packed with after-work punters looking for affordable but quality wine. The almost floor to ceiling shelves are stacked with wine from Victoria’s best winemakers and renowned international makers.
At Bijou, you can pick from a broad, ever-changing array of wines, including popular varietals like pinot noir and shiraz, plus unique picks like garganega. Every bottle on the shelf is up for grabs to drink there or to go. Plus, customers can often choose a bottle that then becomes the next by-the-glass option for others to try.
If you need a tasty snack to complement your wine, Bijou makes sure you’re all set with some wine-friendly bites (go for the charcuterie board, or confit garlic, caramelised onion, and three-cheese toastie).
6. Olivine Wine Bar
- Address: 1 Pentridge Blvd, Coburg VIC 3058
- Hours: Mon-Fri 5 pm – 11 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm – 11 pm
- Phone: (03) 9100 9116
- Glass of wine average: $19
Fancy drinking a drop of vino in an old gaol cell? Well, oddly enough, you can. Olivine Wine Bar is tucked away in the old Pentridge Prison in Coburg. The wine bar, set within the old bluestone walls of B Division, offers a decidedly cosy and elegant vibe (despite the venue history). You can drink at the bar, at the open tables or grab yourself an intimate booth that’s decked out with plush booths and seats (but is, in fact, an old gaol cell).
And the wine list – oh, boy. The list? Over 500 wines strong, featuring wines from Australia and around the world. Perhaps what really makes Olivine one of the best wine bars in Melbourne is it won the Three Glasses Award for Australia’s Best New Wine List in 2023 – I mean if that doesn’t scream best Melbourne wine bar, I don’t know what does. While I wouldn’t say the wines by the glass are super affordable for your average night out, you definitely get what you pay for. The wines are phenom.
The staff are super friendly (perhaps overly so), and will happily provide recommendations, or let you peruse the menu at your own leisure. There’s also a great snack menu, with options like duck rillettes, pork & pistachio terrine, cheese platter and more. But honestly? I’d go straight for the fries with parmesan and truffle butter. Absolute fire. 10/10, would recommend.
7. Hope St Radio
- Address: 35 Johnston St, Collingwood VIC 3066
- Hours: Thurs-Sun 3 pm – 11 pm
- Glass of wine average: $15
Not quite your traditional Melbourne wine bar, it’d be remiss of me not to include this Collingwood gem in the list. Hope St Radio is a former community radio station, which has transformed into a hip wine bar known for its natural, minimal-intervention wines.
The list isn’t super extensive (about 60 wines) but the wine is all super approachable and there’s something for every wine drinker. Overall, I love this spot because it’s just effortlessly cool, and very Melbourne. Hope St Radio is the perfect spot for a date night or to show-off to interstate friends just how impressive Melbourne’s hospitality scene really is.
As the name suggests, music is at the heart of Hope St Radio, with a carefully curated selection of tunes from local musicians and artists. Live broadcasts keep the energy high all week long, and you’ll find this place books out on the weekends pretty far in advance – a testament to any good venue.
Food is on-point too, with an eclectic mix of a la carte dishes that blend classic flavours with inventive twists, all designed to pair beautifully with their curated wine selection. So, if you’re looking for a place with a strong community vibe and a unique wine drinking experience, Hope St Radio is a must-visit.
8. Old Palm Liquor & Bahama Gold
- Address: 135 Lygon St, Brunswick East VIC 3057
- Hours: Mon-Sun 12 pm – 12 am
- Phone: (03) 9388 0954
- Glass of wine average: $10
Two names but essentially one-and-the-same venue on Lygon St in Brunswick, Old Palm Liquor and Bahama Gold are must-visits for wine lovers seeking a fun and fresh spot to sip some epic wines. From the movers and shakers that brought Neighbourhood Wine to Fitrzroy, Old Palm Liquor and Bahama Gold absolute it when it comes to quality wine without the hefty price tag.
Baham Gold is more the wine-focused spot to kick off your evening, before you scooch over to Old Palm Liquor for a feed (and more wine). Bahama Gold launched during lockdown as a canteen-style bottle shop, which has now transformed into a cosy public bar. It’s thankfully retained its street-facing service, letting the good times flow onto the sidewalk where customers can enjoy drinks without ever stepping inside
From pét-nats to orange wines and beyond, what I love most about Bahama Gold is its $10 wines on tap, which can be ordered street-side from the bar and enjoyed al-fresco on Lygon’s bustling footpath. If the on-tap booze doesn’t tickle your fancy, Bahama Gold also boasts a cellar with 1,000 bottles from small-scale, low-intervention producers. There are a few snacks on the Bahama Gold menu to accompany your vino (chips, oysters, flatbread, chicken and porcini terrine), but for a bigger feed you can pop through the back to Old Palm Liquor.
9. Lane’s Edge Wine Bar
- Address: 39 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
- Hours: Mon-Thurs 4pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 4pm-12am
- Phone: (03) 9654 2409
- Glass of wine average: $14
Nestled on the infamous Bourke Street, this little laneway bar is quintessentially Melbourne. The drinks menu here is long and full of goodies – with a focus on boutique wines, independent beers, and fabulous cocktails. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, there is an open courtyard, tunes and a snacks menu complete with chippies, spring rolls and onion rings.
10. Bar Liberty
- Address: 234 Johnston St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
- Hours: Mon-Sat 5pm-11.30pm, Sun 12pm-5.30pm
- Phone: (03) 9415 9025
- Glass of wine average: $14
Yet another Fitzroy wine bar, Bar Liberty is casual and vibey, making it a worthwhile stop the next time you pass by Johnston Street. Their nine-page drinks menu has everything you could imagine, from classic cocktails, pet nat, local beers, orange wines, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages. If you arrive hungry, there’s a menu with snacks, meats, shared plates and desserts to complement the wines.
11. Public Wine Shop
With a plethora of communal dining and bars opening up around Melbourne, the Public Wine Shop may very well be the trendsetter of this new norm. Since its opening in 2020, it has been a go-to among Fitzroy North locals and visitors alike, thanks to its laid-back atmosphere and delicious minimal intervention wines.
Every one of the 200-strong wine list is organically farmed and free from added sulphur dioxide with Manon, Limus and Tom Shobbrook all key fixtures. Pair your wine with some fancy tinned fish or their take on an ‘egg’. We recommend coming here if you want to meet some wine-minded friends, or it also makes for the perfect laid-back date spot.
Address: 179 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North VIC 3068
Hours: Mon-Thurs 4pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-11pm, Sun 12pm-8pm
Phone: 0498 562 323
How We Chose This List
Curating a list of Melbourne’s best wine bars wasn’t just about ticking boxes. I spoke with some of Melbourne’s top sommeliers and wine bar owners, uncovering their personal hideaways and preferred spots. Here’s what up-and-coming sommelier Liam Stanwell (Nomad) had to say:
“My favourite Melbourne wine bar at the moment is Bijou. I really enjoy that they’re willing to open almost any bottle to pour by the glass for the right customer. It means you can try something new, and something different – possibly something that no other wine bar would be brave enough to pull by the glass.”
And what does he look for in a good wine bar? “I look for a small focus on affordability and a good balance between classic producers and new and up and coming winemakers. I like a wine bar that gives people the option to have something safe or try something new.”
Beyond expert opinions, I sifted through discussions from wine lovers online, capturing the wine lover community’s pulse and where they love to go too. Plus, I’ve visited each one of these venues first-hand to bring you a well-rounded review of Melbourne’s best wine bars.
Why Trust Many of Many’s Recommendations
From the author, Ally Burnie: As a journalist with a decade of experience covering Australia’s food and wine scene, I’ve built strong connections within the hospitality industry. This list of recommended wine spots comes from a combination of professional insight and personal passion. Each venue has been chosen for its exceptional wine selection, knowledgeable staff, and great atmosphere. Whether you’re a connoisseur or just starting to explore, this guide will lead you to some of Melbourne’s best wine experiences.
Alternatives to Wine Bars in Melbourne
If you’re looking for other things to do in and around Melbourne, we’ve got you covered. You can also check out our list of these fun things to do in Melbourne. If you’re looking for a specific cuisine, check out our list of the best Japanese restaurants or the the best steak restaurants in Melbourne. If you’re full, we can also help you with your search for the best live music venues.
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