The Best Wine Bars in Melbourne to Unleash Your Inner Sommelier

Get ready to swirl, sniff and sip. How lucky are we to be living through this particularly stellar epoch of wine bars? Snacks are now restaurant-quality menus, while thrill-seeking sommeliers introduce a new generation of drinkers to thought-provoking natural wines and funky pét-nats.

The best wine bars in Melbourne bring both mood and booze, imparting a sense of adventure whether they’re pouring or plating. 

Here's our pick of the bunch, crawling out from the inner city into Melbourne's buzzy north (there are over fifteen Northside wine bars on this list), before heading over to the east and west, and then curling down south, like the most of prodigious of grape-vines. 

Lumen People

Welcome to Lumen People, where coffee, wine, and seasonal morsels are the stars of a day-to-night venue celebrating the growers, producers, makers, and people who contribute to its seasonal menu. We adore it for its wine bar charm—sun-dappled at sundown, light and warm, with an inviting low-key charm.

At Lumen People, your culinary adventure begins with exquisite small plates like persimmon with labne and parsley oil or Albrolhos Island grilled scallops with nduja and chives. Delight in their signature 'Three Bites of Pasta,' which might look like hand-made spaghetti from the team at Tipo00, served up with Goolwa Pipis, white wine, and brown butter. For a sweet finale, indulge in a luscious chocolate mousse or a thoughtful selection of artisanal cheeses.

The wine list is a delightful exploration of Australian and European gems. Whether you choose to savour a lively glass of Italian Soave or a bold and robust Syrah from the Victorian Pyrenees, each sip is a celebration of both flavour and craftsmanship. 

Sitchu Tip: Keep your eyes peeled for any one-off guest chef series via their Instagram @lumenpeople

No. 100 Flinders Lane 

No. 100 Flinders Lane is a European-inspired wine bar with a distinct Australian flavour, striking the perfect balance of 'playful deli' and up-market restaurant. It's a strikingly designed space, where you can enjoy dishes to share like the No.100 focaccia and kingfish pastrami., or allow the head chef to decide with the 'leave it to us' menu. Bookings are recommended, though walk-ins are welcomed for dining, wine and everything in between.

100 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 

Patsy's

Moody art deco architecture meets northern Mediterranean dining at this meat-free Melbourne wine bar. Tucked away in a 1930s Spanish Mission-style building near Queen Victoria Market, Patsy's is a cosy, gorgeously designed space that's the perfect place for a casual catch up. A seasonal variety of refined Mediterranean meals made using fresh produce from the venue's own market garden grace the food menu, with wine pairings stretching from Portugal to Slovenia.

213 Franklin Street, Melbourne 

Embla

This dark, wood-lined CBD wine bar is as sophisticated as it is laid-back, abuzz every night of the week with colleagues, friends and lovers enjoying thought-provoking wines and A-grade plates out of the wood-fired oven. Embla's self-described “slightly weird” list leans natural and small producer, while their famed roast chicken with whole garlic cloves is worth the visit alone. It's one of the best wine bars in Melbourne, without question. 

122 Russell Street, Melbourne

City Wine Shop

Looking directly across at grand old Parliament House is a small, intimate wine bar that’s a small slice of Europe. Loved for its classic yet casual charm, City Wine Shop is happy to let you go your own speed – whether you choose a bottle from the shelf or go by the glass, snack on oysters or plunge into spaghetti meatballs, a good time is always in store. It's also a bit of a institution at this point, making it one of the more essential wine bars in Melbourne to pull up a seat in. 

159 Spring Street, Melbourne

Waxflower

Are you a music lover? Head to Waxflower, a trendy spot that’s half European wine bar and half Japanese listening bar. The thousands of vinyl records lining the walls and the airwaves will provide plenty of conversation material as you indulge in a delicious hybrid of European and Peruvian-influenced share plates that ebb and flow with the seasons, and all the natural wines. Yes, the music sounds better with some minimal intervention magic, made more so by the tinkling of glasses and the intoxicating glug of more wine being poured 'round the table. 

153 Weston Street, Brunswick

Bar Rosella

Not your average wine bar and Italian eatery, Bar Rosella is bringing a slice of Puglia to Fitzroy; and it tells a story at every twist and turn. There are the tea towels hanging in the gravel courtyard transporting you to your Nonna’s backyard, the intimate upstairs dining room adorned with black and white family photos and recipe books from Puglia, and then there’s the food...  

Much like the décor, the rustic plates of pasta and melt-in-your mouth meats and seafood are true Pugliese pleasers. Pick and choose your starters from vibrant mussels and ribbons of prosciutto, asparagus and pecorino, and an insanely fresh stracciatella. Then, dive into our favourite meal – the spaghetti all’assassina, a simple yet sensational spicy dish where the pasta is cooked in the sauce like a risotto.

Rosella's wine bar edge comes into play by serving an exclusive selection of small-batch wines from Victorian and Italian producers, curated by Rosella's seasoned sommelier (and owner) Rocco. Because no meal is complete without good vino! 

229 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

One Trick Pony

One Trick Pony (OTP) is a stellar new Melbourne wine bar proving to be more than its name implies. Sitting pretty inside a 140 year old corner pub in Fitzroy's North, it's a beautiful, cream-coloured space where curvature and columns align with odd-shaped mirrors, art-deco vibes and an elegant grey-marble bar. Cleverly curated wines and classic cocktails are the order of the day, and if you're moving into food territory, the ever-changing modern Australian menu is market-driven and playful. Also playful? The artworks hand-painted directly on to the walls by the owner-chef's brother - spot recognisable Fitzroy residences, local footy heroes, birds and more. 

6 Newry Street, Fitzroy North 

Public Wine Shop

179 St Georges Road, Fitzroy North

Bar Holiday

This fun little wine bar will definitely make you feel like you've taken temporary leave from everyday reality, from the very moment you enter into its casual. convivial confines and take that first sip of a deep red and super fragrant Valpolicella, or chilled Sangiovese. 

Cracking little wine list aside, the plates of pasta and frittata at Bar Holiday will also have you coming back for more, rain or shine. The outdoor seating gives extra summer-in-Euro-flex to this hidden gem, so round up a couple of your besties and prepare for sun-dappled sips come December. 

19 Lincoln Square S, Carlton 

Old Palm Liquor

The team behind beloved retro-Euro spot Neighbourhood Wine have backed it up with another winner in Old Palm Liquor. This to Lygon Street bar boasts a comfortable, lived-in feel via panelled timber walls and vintage bar stools, while the open fireplace is sure to be competitive real estate next winter. There are 12 taps pouring a host of interesting local brewers, but the wine list is the main star – a powerhouse list covering every region and price point, with plenty of minimal intervention picks among them.

133B Lygon Street, Brunswick East

Neighbourhood Wine

Neighbourhood Wine is one of Fitzroy North's most warm, polished and charming wine bar offerings. Beyond their celebrated drinks list, there's also an approachable array of share plates to enjoy, and an atmosphere made entirely for your next romantic dinner and drink. Think rustic floorboards, dimly lit lounge rooms and humming ceiling fans, cosy wooden tables, a long candle-lit bar, and rows of '50s to '70s jazz and blues records played out on high rotation. 

1 Reid Street, Fitzroy North

Carlton Wine Room

Carlton Wine Room is up there as one of Melbourne's most notable and respected wine bars. But it's so much more than a wine bar; this multi-storey Carlton darling also serves some of the finest modern Australian in Melbourne. Bridging influences from across Europe, the kitchen takes the finest and freshest produce it finds to create elegant snacks, crudos, mains and vegetable dishes that capture the imagination from first bite to last. Simply put, each dish works perfectly with wine. 

Speaking of which, pour over the 100-strong list of bottled vin, which changes, in some way, almost weekly. In the warm months they'll have more whites than reds, and in the cold months, vice versa.

Every day they open up a ‘Staff Choice’ bottle to serve by the glass, and while these do not appear on the wine list, they will always be available. Go on, if you’re the curious type, just ask. 

172-174 Faraday Street, Carlton

Geralds Bar

Something of a neighbourhood institution by now, Gerald’s is the locals local. Rambunctious in both atmosphere and offering, the constantly changing menu sits somewhere between bistro and tapas, updated by hand on a big roll of butcher’s paper. Their cellar numbers over 200, with as many new age, funky drops as there are classics.

386 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North

Spensley's 

We love this light, relaxed and airy wine bar, hidden in a quiet northside backstreet. Go for the simple, seasonal and well-executed food at Spensley's. Stay for the friendly service, warm vibes...and the marvellous list of local and international drops. Cheers! 

43 Spensley Street, Clifton Hill

Glou

Half bar and half sustainable wine dispensary, Collingwood's locally-loved tasting room is as good for the planet as it is your palate. We're big fans of try before you buy and Glou allows you to do just that. Perch yourself at the timber tasting bar and sample their curated selection of wines before deciding which one (or four) to take home with you. Wines are exclusively available on tap with three takeaway sizes; 500ml, 1000ml and 2000ml. All bottles are designed to be reused so you can grab yourself a cheeky refill at any time.

310 Smith Street, Collingwood 

Marion

A shining gem in the McConnell crown, Marion’s extensive wine list encompasses everything from old world classics to boundary-pushing pét-nats while also offering finely-honed food – whole flounder with garlic butter, anyone? Let the expert sommeliers guide you to vinous pleasure as you kick back in a modern yet comfy dining room that’s sun-soaked during the day and glows warmly at night. It's our go-to Melbourne wine bar, for any type of occasion. 

53 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

Bar Liberty

With a couple of Attica alumni running the show, would you expect anything less than a fearlessly funky wine list at Bar Liberty, that roves between categories as broad as “energetic whites”, to a specific page dedicated entirely to Piedmontese Nebbiolo. Even non-drinkers and Dry July-ers get a look in with house-made kefir and leatherwood honey soda at this effortlessly cool Fitzroy mainstay.

234 Johnston Street, Fitzroy

The Moon

At this slick Melbourne wine bar-meets-bottleshop, over 300 bottles are at your disposal while an eclectic by-the-glass list jumps between orange verdelhos from Moffatdale and tempranillos from Rioja. The Moon's wine-friendly share plates are just as globe-trotting, so one can expect plenty of sipping and snacking long into the night. 

28A Stanley Street, Collingwood

Olivine

Housed in 170-year-old bluestone surrounds, Coburg has a chic and moody new wine bar in Olivine, perfect for your next date night with a difference. Pentridge’s former heritage cells have been transformed into this elegant and refined space with a walk-in cellar door, intimate booths, grazing menu and stellar wine list.

Speaking of the wine list, it's a doozy, and features more than 500 labels from local and international producers that has been carefully curated by one of Australia’s most exciting sommeliers, Wine Curator, Liinaa Berry. Liinaa and her team of sommeliers will happily guide you in selecting the perfect drop of wine, every time. 

The grazing menu is equally as impressive, with emphasis on creativity, local produce, and seasonal influence. Enjoy Japanese scallop tarts with a Yuzu emulsion and dried tomato powder, and house-made chicken liver parfait enhanced with muscat and a brown butter tuile.

Sink deep into the moodily-lit Olivine and have a sophisticated night to remember. It has truly set the bar high when it comes to Melbourne's best wine bars. 

1 Pentridge Boulevard, Coburg 

Sunhands

The team behind Carlton favourite Heartattack and Vine are bringing a new brand of all-day dining to this inner-city suburb, with golden-hued Sunhands. Cosy, light-filled and sitting pretty on the corner of Elgin Street and Drummond Street, this charming spot defies characterisation - it's equal parts cafe, wine bar, deli and grocer. Particular emphasis is paid to seasonal and hyper-local produce. Pop in for a lazy afternoon to soak up the last rays of sun alongside the array of unique wines by the glass. Snack on a delicious menu of shared plates, like pickled octopus, heaving antipasto, charcuterie and cheese, baked ricotta with agrodolce, oysters and more. Dishes change frequently, depending on what's available each week, and they also have a few classic cocktails for you to enjoy. 

169 Elgin Street, Carlton 

Park Pantry

Transforming from a cosy daytime cafe to a vibrant wine bar after dusk, this hidden gem in South Yarra transports you to the heart of Europe. With an ambiance reminiscent of French cafes, Park Pantry serves up a menu inspired by European and French cuisine, paired perfectly with European wines. Whether you're seeking relaxation after work, late-night cocktails or a romantic evening, this wine lover's sanctuary awaits.

119 Park Street, South Yarra

Clover Wine

This vibey, light-filled modern bistro and wine bar has lit the match in celebration of plates of food cooked solely over fire, and for the love of the natural vinous world. A real-deal vin de cav, embodying the evocative wine bars dotted around France, Clover’s got a whole lot going for it, not least it’s exceptional French-inspired small plate menu and impeccable wine list, but even its beautiful courtyard that lingers out back, dreamily imbued with sunshine and shade.

Stay a while and even get a little drunk, not just on wine, but in the joyous, relaxed nature that will envelop you upon arrival. 

193 Swan Street, Richmond

Lilac Wine Bar

It’s only February, but Richmond (and now Cremorne) is finally catching up to the rest of the Northside ‘burbs when it comes to Euro-inspired wine bars with a Modern Australian touch, with the newly minted Lilac Wine Bar sitting pretty inside a converted warehouse. Named after the Jeff Buckley classic, it’s offering retro, record playing Brooklyn-esque vibes and vintage-inspired interiors alongside wood-fired, oft-smoky dishes.

Amongst the array of eclectic and extensive, organic and small scale local and international drops that stretch from the Adelaide Hills to Burgenland, Austria, are a list of thoughtful cocktails like the Lamington, with cherry brandy, spiced coconut liqueur and cacao, or the namesake Lilac Martini, with 22 Gin, fermented peach vermouth, smoked bone and a peat rinse.

31 Stephenson Street, Cremorne

Auterra

Auterra is a Melbourne wine bar where people can walk in and gather, to enjoy the simple things in life; those good things being food, wine and company. Settle in to this casual yet slick space and prepare to be enamoured - by finger foods like Appellation oysters and a spiced Merguez hot dog with Lebanese pickle, and by the ever-evolving wine list. Here, each bottle is carefully selected to provide you with a glimpse into the unique terroirs that the wine world has to offer. Wine lovers truly can't go wrong at Auterra. 

1160 High Street, Armadale

Pony 

We're calling it - Pony will be the wine bar of the summer. This brand new beauty in Armadale is ripe and ready for you to enjoy, on those languid afternoons and balmy evenings best suited to relaxed catchups with friends or your next date night. While away the hours over glasses of orange wine and a lush cocktail or two, in the equally dreamy alfresco and indoor settings, sun-dappled and golden-hued.

Fresh and seasonal dishes are on show at Pony, running the gamut from snacks to larger plates - but all are perfect for sharing. Start with poached prawns with aioli and spicy margarita salt and skewers grilled over charcoal, before leaning all the way in with a whole chargrilled chicken and salsa verde, or the baked spinach and ricotta dumplings in red sauce. 

14 Beatty Avenue, Armadale

Alberts Wine Bar

Albert's is a cosy neighbourhood wine bar, offering share plates, wines and cocktails behind the heritage-listed Kings Arcade in the leafy backstreets of Armadale. Named for the Australian artist, Albert Tucker, who once resided in the area, he once depicted this beautiful 19th century building in a 1937 landscape painting. 

On the menu? An ever-changing list of exciting wines by authentic small batch producers from all over the world, along with many classic 'non-wine' drinking options. Relax into these refined and romantic surrounds and give cheers, for no reason necessary. 

17 Morey Street, Armadale 

By The Glass 

Come for the vibes, stay for the wine, food and fancy cocktails at the rebranded, utterly beautiful By The Glass (formerly Bouzy Armadale). Dishing up oysters and burnt butter brioche topped with mackerel, kingfish aguachile and charred leeks with romesco and hazelnuts, and endless plates of cheese and charcuterie alongside hard-to-find, adventurous pours, you might find yourself resistant to leave once you pull up a stool at the round bar. 

Kings Arcade, 976 High Street Armadale

Don’s Prahran

Is Don, is good. Those words ring even more true within the beating foodie, wine-loving hearts of Melbournians everywhere now that Don’s Prahran has leapt onto the city’s dynamic bar scene. Something fresh for the area in which it lies, Don’s is all about natural wine sips and tiny, snack plates, with a secretive menu on which the only clues you’ll receive is from scrutinising their oh-so-aesthetic Instagram page.

Recent specials have included a duck, pumpkin, and nori croquette with saffron aioli, regular (and super fun) pasta on a spoon plates, white anchovies with fennel and green salsa, Bloody Mary prawns, and fries, of course. The staple dish is a completely lascivious fried chicken sandwich. Alongside the regularly rotating list of pet-nat, skin contact and orange vin, Prahran’s got itself a gorgeously low-key, weeknight date spot setting the bar sky high for wine bars everywhere. The friendly service doesn’t hurt either! Walk ins only.

202 Commercial Road, Prahran

Essie Wine Bar 

Essie is the former music school turned inviting neighbourhood wine bar, found nestled in the backstreets of Malvern. It's a warm and inviting space, with American oak tables, exposed brick walls and a generous courtyard outback. The floor-to-ceiling wine racks and fridges are stacked with minimal-intervention and small-batch producers from around Australia, plus a few special drops from old world wine regions that speak of a time and place. Open from daytime til late, it’s intended to be the kind of place you’d swing by for a casual tipple and a couple of share plates such as salmon gravlax and burrata served with peach and a walnut crumb. Cosy up next to the fireplace or grab a spot in our sun-filled courtyard.

35 Station Street, Malvern

The Alps

Find all the cosiness of a Swiss ski lodge at this Prahran wine bar, where warmth comes from a flickering fireplace, peckishness is solved with salmon gravlax, and honey timber shelves are stacked with both burgundys and biodynamics. They’re open day and night for a talk and a tipple, with regular masterclasses helping you get familiar with their 400-bottle catalogue.

64 Commercial Road, Prahran 

Murrumbeena Wine Bar

Great conversations, boutique wines and live music by local female artists reign supreme at this cosy wine bar. A place to come together for casual drinks and tapas, Murrumbeena Wine Bar hosts a permanent line up of female musicians giving the aspiring artists space to build their profile and keep locals entertained. Come summer, the leafy courtyard is a supreme spot to lap up the rays on a Saturday afternoon, while the moody interiors are the perfect backdrop for an intimate evening date.

77 Murrumbeena Road, Murrumbeena

WoodsYard 

Little Prince Wine

Serving up European good looks and charm, Little Prince Wine is a Melbourne wine bar, wine shop and deli found beneath St Kilda's popular The Prince Hotel. Enjoy classic Australian and European wines, and all the cheese and charcuterie you can be possibly handle. Good times and good vibes only. If you're feeling extra fancy, you might even want to splurge on a rare bottle from the cellar below. 

Ground Floor, 2 Acland Street, St Kilda

Bar Savarin

Charming Cheltenham locals with its premium selection of vino and fresh, elegant dishes, Bar Savarin is the newest wine bar on the block. Rose, red, sparkling, natty, orange and everything in between, the refined wine list is available for takeaway or to be enjoyed in the light-filled welcoming space. Snack on Sydney rock oysters, trout rillettes, an extra-special charcuterie plate or more substitutional meals as you sip and sample their brand new cocktail menu for dessert. 

132 Keys Road, Cheltenham

Bellota Wine Bar

When it comes to romance, there’s no denying that Italian’s do it better. Set in a historic South Melbourne terrace house, Bellotta Wine Bar comes armed with a touch of Mediterranean glamour and the kind of menu that’s made to share (plus a very sophisticated roster of wines on offer). You know what they say about oysters…

181 Bank Street, South Melbourne

Mrs Mutton’s

Housed in a charming old building located on the border of Footscray and Seddon, this cosy little corner wine and beer baaa, from the minds behind Waxflower Bar and Common Galaxia, is a relaxed new space that's also set to expand even further this year.

Mrs Mutton's Bottle Shop will soon have 10 rotating craft beers on tap and a new back bar, as well as pergolas and fireplaces in the beer garden to look forward to, but for now the space is still abundant in delightful tipples ranging from natty wines and one-off bottles, through to yuzu spritzes and local brews.

Did we mention they do wine tastings?!

65 Victoria Street, Footscray

West Footscray Wines

Another wine bar and bottleshop hybrid, West Footscray Wines is a clever little neighbourhood spot to head to for a post-work sip, with a focus on interesting and approachable Australian produce. Take a seat and enjoy their rotating list of wines by the glass along with a range of nibbles including freshly shucked oysters, cheese plates and charcuterie boards.

You’ll also be able to select from over 300 wines by the bottle…just at $15 corkage to their take away prices.

Shop 1/578 Barkly Street, West Footscray

Bar Thyme

A fun local bistro meets wine bar in Footscray, Bar Thyme is an excellent date spot, where natural wine, great cocktails, delicious eats and groovy vinyl come into play. 

Sip on a gin martini to start, before dipping into their thoughtfully curated, sustainable wine list that lays claim to crisp whites from the Mornington Peninsula and juicy, herbaceous blends from Scintilla Wines. 

Indulge in progressive bar snacks like nduja scotch eggs; pickled, saffron-infused mussels escabeche, and smoked beetroot salad with almond cream and caraway. Or, if you're looking for something healthy, try their steak with peppercorn sauce and chips, weekday pies, and porchetta roasts on Sunday. 

227 Barkly Street, Footscray

Bar Romanée

The perfect date night starts here at Bar Romanée; and even if you don’t fall in love with each other, you’ll at least fall in love with this venue’s gorgeous food and wine. This warm neighbourhood wine bar offers a relaxed and intimate setting, with a menu of classic European wines and bistro dishes made with stunning Victorian produce meaning you’ll leave rosy cheeked and satisfied.

25 Anderson Street, Yarraville

Melbourne best wine bars are calling, which one will you be checking out first? With that, it's also time to add a little extra fun to the mix, which is why you need to check out our guide for what to do on a rainy day in Melbourne, or find a flick to watch at one of the city's best cinemas. Culture and wine are the basis for all great days spent out and about in Melbourne, after all.