The best wine bars in Melbourne aren’t just those that serve an ever-changing selection of some of the finest bottles from Australia and around the world. Oh no. To truly make it in the Victorian city, the best wine bars need to offer customers a complete experience.
Whether that be by way of the ambience, the décor or simply the attentive and knowledgeable service, when heading to a wine bar, it’s no longer enough to served a delicious glass of wine.
Fortunately, these Melbourne wine bars have all got it spot on, and all are deserving of your custom. With carefully curated wine lists, some delectable nibbles and staff that can only be described as walking encyclopaedias, you can be sure of a perfect evening.
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City Wine Shop
159 Spring St, Melbourne, 3000
Good things come in pairs, something that is certainly the case for this traditional wine bar which also doubles as a bottle shop. The iconic City Wine Shop is the product of a collective that also run some of the city’s hottest drinking holes.
This means character and charm ooze the moment you walk in and doesn’t stop until you’ve got a nice tipple in your hand or decent bottle on your way out. A fine selection of European wines is the speciality here and there’s enough to satisfy the most curious palate along with cheeses from the grocer next door. But if you’re feeling a bit pekish, City Wine Shop also has an array of delicious bar snacks to keep you satisfied while you sip on a fine glass of red.
Cru
916 Glenferrie Road, Kew, 3101
Cru is the place to be when the sun begins to set and the cravings for a fine glass of red beckons, it’s no wonder this venue is often regarded as one of the best wine bars in Melbourne. The cosy front bar flows seamlessly into the private dining room which makes for one memorable dinner complete with access to CRU’s resident wine guy who’ll happily show you the ropes. Not that you’d need it…
The Ugly Duckling
238 Swan Street, Cremorne, 3121
Ugly is a subjective word and in our opinion, this place is damn sexy in a stripped back kind of way. The Ugly Duckling is a contemporary table service cocktail and wine bar but it’s so much more than that. Designed to reflect a high-end residential living space, this wine bar is intimate yet sophisticated, with a light-filled seating area at the rear and a moody, monolithic bar upon entrance.
The wine on offer here is also ace, with a specially curated wine list boasting the best in local and international beverages. Antipasto style food is also available for pairing with wines so you can go home both happy and full.
Toorak Cellars
18 Beatty Avenue, Armadale, 3143
The efficiency of Melbourne folk can’t be argued with. Want your wine to go after a decent session with friends? No problem. Toorak Cellars is both a bottle shop and wine bar which sources and acquires some of the best wines from around the world at any price point. The bar boasts a rotating wine menu via 20 different labels to ensure that every drop is unique and full of flavour.
The Milton
134 Ormond Road, Elwood, 3184
Elwood locals have something to be happy about, with The Milton serving up over 120 wines to the thirsty crowds in a raw brick and wood space that glistens way into the night. Whether it be for an after work stint or something a bit more romantic, guests can sample the wine and cheese pairings as the night goes on. Also, pick up a few bottles to go from the Milton wine shop.
Bellota Wine Bar
181 Bank Street, South Melbourne, 3205
Bellota brings to fruition a long-held desire to provide a venue that showcases the great wines of the world in an exuberant setting alongside beautifully executed food. Borrowing aspects from the European bar culture, the space boasts a sweeping bespoke bar, large salumi and cheese cabinet and a traditional leather banquette.
Wine is, of course, the name of the game here with a constantly changing selection of wines by the glass, taste and half carafe, as well as some premium selections poured from the Coravin. If that’s not enough guests can slide into the wine store next door with over 4,000 bottles in stock.
Smalls Bar
20 Yarra Place, South Melbourne, 3205
Smalls is a wine bar in South Melbourne with a focus on small wine producers from all over the world. With seating for just 24 people and a walk-in only policy, the establishment can easily modify their wine list and food pairings with haste. Smalls also offers takeaway bottle service if you want to savour that last drop at home.
Siglo
2/161 Spring Street, Melbourne, 3000
Be enthralled by the uninterrupted views of Spring Street and the Parliament House from the rooftop quarters of Siglo. It’s an extravagant affair for those looking for something special in terms of service, wine, cocktails and a decent late night atmosphere.
Siglo is especially popular with groups, so if you’re keen for a celebration make sure to book ahead for space overlooking the side as sunset comes around. Also, did someone say Melbourne date spot?
Carlton Wine Room
172-174 Faraday Street, Carlton, 3053
The Carlton Wine Room is all about the old school, boasting warm, instinctive hospitality paired with wholesome European food, and a wine list that “flits easily between ‘textural’ and Italian varieties from the Old and New Worlds”. That means it’s pretty damn good in our language. Good for small gatherings or groups, this is a must-visit for wine junkies.
The Alps
64 Commercial Road, Prahran, 3181
Taking its name from the European mountainous region, The Alps specialises in wines from the neighbouring wine regions of Burgundy, Alto, Jura and Veneto, to name a few. It’s not Europe-dominated however, as The Alps also has a generous selection of natural Australian wines too, allowing you to chop and change between local and international as you see fit.
The Hills Wine Bar
141 Union Road, Surrey Hills, 3127
We imagine most people will say the best pairing for wine is cheese. While that can be true, we think the pairing of wine with pizza is far better and that’s exactly what you get at The Hills. With a wine list boasting some 300 bottles and 20 of those being available by the glass, there’s certainly plenty to try. And with those wines being paired perfectly with the pizzas on offer, you’ll walk away totally satisfied.
Neighbourhood Wine Bar
1 Reid St, Fitzroy North, 3068
This dimly lit, french cuisine wine bar, located in Fitzroy North, is said to be one of the cosiest places to knock back a Pinot Grigio after a long day. Neighbourhood Wine Bar have a vast wine selection that hails from every country, from Japan to Lebanon; try the favourites from around the globe. And, if you’re feeling a bit peckish, they offer a highly curated food menu showcasing seasonal produce, including fresh oysters, handmade tagliatelle, Victorian smoked eel and Murray River cod.
Bar Liberty
234 Johnston St, Fitzroy 3065
Another excellent wine bar situated in Fitzroy on the unassuming corner of Johnston Street is Bar Liberty. With a relaxed, laidback atmosphere, Bar Liberty serves some of the finest Australian wines. Pennyweight Wines in Beechworth and winemaker Tom Shobbrook have custom-made red, and orange wine for the bar served on tap.
Here, they also serve some of the most delicious food, with Head Chef Zackery Leon Furst and Executive Chef Casey Wall overseeing the menu of classic dishes with a modern twist.
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