Melbourne’s Finest Wine Bars (Updated 2024)

hotel concierge
Author
10 Minutes Mar 19th, 2022
wine and pasta sitting on the table with knives and fork

Choosing a wine bar in Melbourne can be as difficult as choosing a bottle at the local liquor store. Luckily we’ve taken some of the guesswork out of the equation with our list of 9 of the best wine bars in Melbourne that you have to try!
Each of these offer a unique experience and focus, with bars shorting from stylish modern interiors, to spaces that feel as if you’re in an old friend’s back room. Whether you’re after an Italian red, or a locally produced equivalent, there’s a wine bar in this list that will suit your specific desire.

Marion | Fitzroy

two people enjoying wine and food at the bar

Andrew McConnel’s Marion is a wine bar for enthusiasts. Located on Fitzroy’s Gertrude street, Marion spans two shopfronts next door to one of Melbourne’s favourite restaurants Cutler & Co. The wine list at Marion is impressive and comprehensive, showing off some of the best wines from around the world.

The interior is an industrial style fit out, perfectly marrying vintage and modern aesthetics which makes for a space where you’re likely to go in for a glass, but want to stay for a bottle. We recommend trying to snag a prime position at a table in the front windows, so you can enjoy the sun and watch the world go by while you sample the wines on offer. Note, however, there may be some fierce competition for these tables!

Address: 53 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
Website: www.marionwine.com.au

Bar Liberty | Fitzroy

people enjoying wine and pasta at a restaurant in melbourne

Bar Liberty, located on Johnston street, Fitzroy, is a laid back and relaxed affair where the focus is really on the quality of their drinks. They’ve fostered relationships with some of Australia’s best vignerons, brewers and roasters, which really demonstrates that the bar staff here really take pride in everything they serve.

This care and pride can be seen in the carefully curated drinks list, ranging from wine and beer through to whisky, vermouth and even housemade soda. It’s refreshing to have a bar that takes their drinks so seriously but still create an atmosphere of fun, as exemplified by the fact they named their bar after an obscure quote in Star Wars III: The Revenge of the Sith (we’ll give them bonus points for that).

Address: 234 Johnston St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
Website: barliberty.com

Lilac Wine | Cremorne (recently opened)

a glass and a bottle of wine from Lilac wine

In 1994, Jeff Buckley wrote a beautiful song called Lilac Wine, and all these many years later, it influenced the name of this new spot in Cremorne. Set in a graffiti-laden brick warehouse with paned glass windows, the interior is minimal, with Persian rugs, turntables, velvet couches and a side courtyard.

The kitchen houses a woodfire oven from which the French bistro-inspired menu is created, catering for those who want a full meal or perhaps just some shareable nibbles to pair with their drinks. When looking for that drink, you’ll need to sift through the 150+ strong organic and biodynamic wine options, all of which come from small-scale local and international winemakers. There is so much wine here that even the cocktails feature it. It’s also important to note that some of the profits from this wine bar are given to the Common Ground Project, a regenerative agriculture farm in Freshwater Creek, so you can drink super-sustainably!

“Great atmosphere and selection of wines. My personal favourite was Dirty Black Denim ‘Electric Marsanne’, which is a bright orange skin contact wine that isn’t too sour or vinegary and something I haven’t really tried anywhere else. If you’re feeling red, but it’s a hot day, the chilled red Fin ‘Le Vin du Rosier is also very light and fresh without being too overpowering. That being said, the staff there are incredibly knowledgeable and attentive, so definitely ask for their recommendations as well. Walk-ins are welcome, but it does get pretty busy, so I would recommend booking in advance.” – A review from a Punthill South Yarra Host

Address: 31 Stephenson St, Cremorne VIC 3121
Website: lilacwinebar.com.au

Napier Quarter | Fitzroy

food and wine laid out on the table

The third and final Fitzroy entry in our list is Napier Quarter. Unlike Marion and Bar Liberty, Napier Quarter is not on a main street, but rather hidden away on a backstreet corner in Fitzroy, not far from the soon to open Veriu Collingwood hotel. A self-described ‘espresso and wine bar’ Napier Quarter is unique in that it is a café during the day, and transitions to a wine bar in the evening once the coffee machine is switched off.

They offer a continental breakfast and artisan espresso from 9am until midday, and then switch to share plates and wine thereafter. You can select from their menu of small plates and platters, or order from one of their larger shared menus, appropriate for groups of 5 or more people.

Address: 359 Napier St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
Website: napierquarter.com.au

Bellota | South Melbourne

Bottle of red wine with two glassesTo be found in a classic Victorian building, Bellota Wine Bar is the welcome extension of the renowned Prince Wine Store, which boasts a selection of over 3,500 bottles. Bellota takes full advantage of this to offer arguably one of the best and most extensive wine lists in Melbourne.

To accompany their impressive and ever-changing wine offerings, there is a food menu to match. As well as the expected selection of bar snacks and antipasti, there is also a more substantial menu of full-sized mains including steamed mussels and lamb shoulder ragu.

Address: 181 Bank St, South Melbourne VIC 3205
Website: bellota.com.au

Milton Wine Shop | Malvern

a shelving unit filled with wine bottles

While many of the best wine bars in Melbourne are to be found in the leafy northern suburbs, Milton Wine Shop is the champion that the southern suburbs deserve. Located in Malvern in Melbourne’s south east, Milton doubles as a wine retailer, offering a huge selection of wines which can be enjoyed both in store and at home.

They have a particular penchant for biodynamic natural wines, made with no preservatives or other additives. Although a little more expensive, these natural wines are worth a try, as they are touted as being less likely to give you a hangover (though this is still dependent on how much you drink, of course). Milton Wine Shop has a strict “no wine snobbery” policy at the bar, with customers encouraged to ask questions and broaden their palates at their own pace without being made to feel self-conscious.

Address: 1427 Malvern Rd, Malvern VIC 3144
Website: https://www.milton.wine/

The Carlton Wine Room | Carlton

meat and pasta sitting on the table with wine

The Carlton wine room is as much a restaurant as it is a wine bar, but is still well-deserving of a spot in this list. This venue is deceptively large, with five levels including a 20-person private dining room, two dedicated event spaces, and a spacious second dining room. Amazing as these spaces are, the main event is on the ground floor, where the wine bar is located.

Wine connoisseurs are in for a treat here, with a 100-bottle wine list carefully assembled by co-owner and ex-Coda and Tonka sommelier Travis Howe. We would highly recommend you come hungry, so you can enjoy a meal from the equally impressive menu of European-influenced Australian food.

Address: 172-174 Faraday St, Carlton VIC 3053
Website: thecarltonwineroom.com.au

Willows & Wine | West Melbourne

Person pouring glass of red wineA short stroll from the Queen Victoria Market in West Melbourne, you’ll find Willows & Wine. Along with bottles of wine, the walls are stacked high with pre-loved books, organised according to genre. You’re welcome to pick one up and read while you sip, and if you simply can’t put it down, don’t worry as they’re all available for purchase!

If books aren’t your thing, there’s also a large communal table, complete with plenty of board games to try out. Willows & Wine is a great place for a glass of wine and a cheese board on a quiet afternoon, or a catch-up with old friends alike.

Address: 315 Victoria St, West Melbourne VIC 3003
Website: https://www.blackbooksbar.com/

Hope St Radio | Collingwood

glass of wine and oysters at Hope st Radio

Hope St is a community radio station has always been a champion for local talent, and thanks to its previous pop-up nature, able to broadcast from a range of events and locations. Now, however, it has a permanent spot in the Collingwood Yards art precinct and includes space for a drink and something to eat!

The food menu is heavily snacky, but you’ll also be able to grab a pasta or something more significant, the specifics of which we cannot reveal as it is constantly changing. The curated wine list, classic cocktails, aperitivi, digestifs and Stomping Ground tap beers make it easy to find something to drink, and the coffee is spectacular for those looking for that different kind of buzz. Grab a drink, and discover your new favourite local artist.

“Very on brand for Collingwood, this spot features a large outdoor hangout area resembling a backyard. Great music is provided by various local DJs, which sets a fun mood for Friday after-work drinks. It’s a great communal and neighbourly vibe where you can hang out with friends, meet local artists and enjoy a variety of wines. The selection of wines is phenomenal, anything from Collingwood’s favourite chilled and skin contacts to more traditional reds.” – A review from our local hosts

Address: 35 Johnston St, Collingwood VIC 3066
Website: hopestradio.community

Attria Wine Bar | Richmond

a close up of a glass of wine from attria wine bar

Attria Wine Bar is an intimate wine bar located in the heart of Swan St, that lends itself perfectly to couples, or a group dinner with friends. Their extensive wine list and equally impressive, the seasonal food menu is nothing short of amazing. There are also a number of snacks for you to enjoy up at the bar if you’re just stopping by for a quick drink.

Attria is the perfect setting to host your next event, with an extensive canape menu, and a delectable wine and cocktail list to choose from, there’s something to please everyone.

Address: 107 Swan St, Richmond VIC 3121
Website: attria.com.au

Gerald’s Bar | Carlton North

Geralds bar carltonWith nearly as many awards as it has wine varieties, no list of Melbourne’s best wine bars would be complete without a mention of Gerald’s Bar. Owner and namesake Gerald Diffey has had a hand in some great restaurants in his time, but has styled Gerald’s Bar to feel very relaxed and homely. Walls adorned with trinkets and artefacts give the feeling you are actually enjoying someone’s living room rather than a public bar.

Despite the homely feel and friendly staff, the wine list is impressive and varied. With a selection that changes frequently, and on the whim of the management, a safe bet is to go for a glass from one of the open bottles in the silver ice buckets that line the back of the bar.

Address: 386 Rathdowne St, Carlton North VIC 3054
Website: geraldsbar.com.au

It’s certainly true that Melbournians love their wine, so it should come as no surprise how many amazing wine bars there are to choose from. The variety of bars is almost as extensive as the variety of wine you might expect to find on offer at any of them. While hopefully this list has helped you narrow down which bar to visit, unfortunately we can’t help you choose which wine to order, that bit is entirely up to you!