There's an art to pouring a glass of vino with a backdrop that's not too stuffy, yet still serves up an elevated experience. An art which Melbourne has indeed mastered. A gatekeep-y industry by nature, it is seemingly impossible at times for top-tier wine to feel accessible when you're not on a baller budget.
If you want to venture out and quench your thirst with some liquid courage, but don't feel like turning the volume all the way up, a wine bar feels like a classy choice (pending decisions made) without compromising on any of the jovial fun of a night out.
Whether you're looking for a dimly-lit vinyl-slinging spot to sip on a glass with a special someone, or a casual watering-hole to share a bottle with friends, our slew of recs has you covered for any occasion.
1. Waxflower
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With DJs playing around the clock, Waxflower is a perfect audiophile listening space with a wine list that is heavy-handed in natural drops. Dave Falvey spearheads the menu, plating up hybrid recipes of Peruvian and European influence, which lean on quality produce, locally sourced.. Waxflower's unpretentious summary is as follows: "Just doing cool things in a relaxed and thoughtfully designed space". Dare we say, it's a...vibe.
2. Kirk's Wine Bar
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This one is housed in a historic building, and is worth a visit for the location alone. Conceived by Ian Curley and co-owners Con Christopoulos and Joshua Brisbane, Kirk's Wine Bar has preserved a bygone era, offering a lived-in feeling that Melbournians and visitors alike are flocking to.
3. Bar Holiday
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Modelled after classic neighbourhood bars in cities like Paris, Amsterdam and Madrid, Bar Holiday really lives up to its name. Hand-drawn menus scale the walls here, with scribbles of chalk reading a range of aperitifs, curated wines, and a snack list of your Euro summer dreams: Sicilian olives, anchovy toast, and hand-cut saucisson. A table for one, please and thank you.
4. Clover
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A neighbourhood gem that celebrates an admiration for the vinous industry, with a list of dishes that are only cooked over fire... Whet your appetite with a plate of smoked apple Sydney rock oysters, then move onto club steak ft. cafe de swan, and finish up with the chamomile panna cotta. With a flame-oriented menu, Clover has our utmost support.
5. Sunhands
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Trying to find a glass and a small bite between the ungodly hours of 3 and 5 pm when nowhere is open? Pop into Sunhands, an all-day eatery and neighbourhood wine bar that focuses on seasonality, sustainability and community. Phil Tran has conjured up a humble menu with a modern flair – don't sleep on the dippy egg. A place to linger or just pop through, depending on your mood and time constraints.
6. Bijou
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A boutique bottle shop and wine bar in one, which stocks sought-after labels on a rotating schedule, contained in a leather-bound winelist. Bijou is also no stranger to a charcuterie board. This one is for the wine snob in us all, no shade.
7. Bar Olo
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Opening earlier this year, this wine bar by the Scorpi team is a 40-seater well-oiled machine. Sophisticated and timeless are descriptions that come to mind. Jazz hums in the back as well-groomed waiters skate across the floor, topping up Italian wines and picking up polished off plates of pappardelle. Bar Olo has the Italian panache down and has earned its stripes as Melbourne's new It-spot.
8. The Moon
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Step into the vortex that is The Moon, and lose yourself in the 400-bottle wine list to either takeaway or savour in store. Located in Collingwood, this dimly lit, sultry setting is the epitome of class. The Moon has synced its menu with the seasons: lamb ribs with fennel, saganaki, and pulled brisket jalapeño toasties are a few standouts. The Moon claims it's a landing place for the bold, avant-garde and timeless. Music to our ears.
9. Circl Wine House
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Situated in Melbourne's infamous Punch Lane, Circl pushes a Scandinavian-inspired menu paired with a curated wine selection and wine cellar for an additional flex. Led by head Somm Xavier Vigier, the venue is home to an extensive by-the-glass list of up to 150 labels. This wine cave received One Hat in the 2026 Good Food Guide for the second year running, so you know it's worth a visit.
10. Gerald's Bar
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Gerald's needs no introduction. This hotspot, which has recently relocated to Carlton, has been adored by Melburnians since it opened in 2006. Matt Podbury steers the menu here (which gets switched up every three weeks), with French recettes taking priority. Now a fixture on Lygon Street, it's one to add to your list.
11. Public Wine Shop
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With 200 wines, all au naturale, Public Wine Shop is a petite haven of 20 seats that boasts a European-leaning menu. All wines are temperature-controlled, ensuring a perfect pour with each glass. In other words, Public doesn't play.
12. Napier Quarter
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When it comes to Melbourne's extensive list of wine bars, it's easy to get lost in the sauce. This one, however, stands on its own. Tucked away on a Fitzroy backstreet, Napier Quarter is a revolving door for locals, and for good reason. The menu stays loyal to the staples of a Spanish abuela, like Gildas and anchovy toast – the usual suspects. Everything about this day-to-night wine bar flirts with the European ambience we are all chasing, 17,000km away – from its standing espresso bar, an elevated wine list, to a pasta menu that changes on the daily.
13. Gemini
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This spot was birthed by two Geminis, Shane Farrell and Tresna Lee. The couple have preserved the old-world charm of the building that Gemini resides in, bluestone included. Opt for a seat at the granite bar at the front of the restaurant and chip away at a slice of potato focaccia. Alternatively, pull up a chair at the chef's table, which faces the open kitchen and indulge in main courses like Kangaroo skewers with pepperberry glaze, fried brussel sprouts with maple glaze, or a black opal wagyu number. Gemini is also home to a cheese and bread pantry – run, don't walk.
14. Neighbourhood Wine Bar
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Seasonality and simplicity are at the core of the ethos at Neighbourhood. The menu changes daily, and follows a minimal-intervention approach, allowing the ingredients to pronounce themselves in each dish. The wine list, sourced by Simon Denman, is also eternally growing and evolving. The venue works closely with artisanal winemakers who prioritise small quantities in high quality, whilst following a lo-fi approach that spotlights the attributes of each variety.
15. Bellota Wine Bar
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Although Bellota is an accessory to the behemoth Prince Wine Store, it definitely holds its own. If an ever-changing wine list wasn't enough to win you over, the bar also offers fresh daily seafood selections, indulgent antipasti plates and standout charcuterie features. Pro tip: order the French onion soup.
16. Commis
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Commis is somewhat of a hybrid. Teetering on a cocktail bar, restaurant and wine bar, all of your culinary needs are bound to be surpassed here. Remember Gerald's bar I mentioned earlier? The Commis trio honed their skills there. The plates are delivered straight from the chef's hands. If that wasn't enough to make a booking, diners can also order the staff meal, as a nod of respect to those behind the pass.
17. Caretaker's Cottage
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This is Victoria's tiniest pub, which previously took the form of a caretaker's quarters. Rob Libecans, Ryan Noreiks and Matt Stirling are the trio who revived the building, and have kept much of the original decor in tact – staircase included. The bar snacks are an ode to British staples: pies, smoked trout dip and a Union Jack playlist to follow.
18. Embla
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Embla resembles that of a neighbour's living room – hospitable and cosy. The venue has joined forces with the wizard of wine, Eric Narioo, and Australian Somm Patrick Sullivan, who have pulled off a drop list that is simple, approachable, yet sophisticated. Pop in for a glass of wine that rarely hits shelves, and while you're at it, indulge in a plate of vongole.
