Aspendale’s cocktail bars scene is unpretentious, multicultural, value-driven — and the cocktail bars reflect it. Whether you want a quiet midweek drink or a full Friday night, there are options that don’t require leaving the suburb.
Standard prices: pint $10-12, cocktail $15-20. Happy hour (usually 5-7pm) knocks $3-5 off at most places.
Our Top Picks
1. Table — 165 Glenferrie Lane
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Moody, dim-lit, excellent playlist Drinks: $15-20
The cocktail bar the suburb rallies around. Table gets the fundamentals right — good drinks, comfortable room, staff who know the menu. The wine list rotates monthly, which keeps regulars from getting bored. The courtyard is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.
Drink this: The rotating craft tap ($15-20). When to go: Any weeknight for a quiet drink.
2. Anchor — 115 Queen Drive
Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-1am Vibe: Corner pub, proper carpets
The quiet achiever. Anchor doesn’t have a PR budget or an Instagram strategy — it has regulars who come three times a week. The beer garden is the draw. The parma is legitimately one of the best in the area.
Best night: Sunday sessions with live jazz.
3. Black Corner — 320 Murray Lane
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-late Vibe: Cozy wine den, candlelit Drinks: $15-20
Opened in 2025 and immediately became a regular spot for the under-35 crowd. The tap list leans towards Victorian craft breweries. The space is tighter than Table — maybe 50 people before it feels packed — but that’s part of the appeal.
What makes it work is the attention to detail. The glassware is considered, the ice is proper, and the bartenders actually taste what they make before serving. The house negroni uses a local amaro. If you hit capacity, put your name down and walk around the block — turnover is quick.
Drink this: The house old fashioned ($15-20). Pro tip: Ask for the off-menu cocktail — they’ll make something custom.
4. Hazel Room — 329 Murray Lane
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Modern gastropub with craft focus Drinks: $15-20
The one for when you want food with your drinks. The kitchen runs until 10:30pm and the burgers are genuinely good, not bar-food-as-afterthought. The loaded fries are the move.
The drinks list complements the food — local pale ales and lagers that pair with the menu. It’s the kind of place where you come for one beer and stay for dinner because you smell the kitchen.
Best combo: The burger with their house lager — simple and perfect. When to come: Saturday from 5pm — it fills up by 7pm.
5. Atlas Standard — 355 Queen Drive
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-1am Vibe: Candlelit basement, moody and intimate Drinks: $15-20
The vibe pick. Not the best drinks on this list, but the rooftop view creates an atmosphere the others can’t match. It’s the place to bring someone you’re trying to impress, or to photograph, or both.
The drinks list is short but curated — they do six cocktails and all of them are solid. Food is limited to a small snack menu — olives, cheese, bread but you’re not here for the food.
Best for: Small group celebrations — book the corner section.
Comparison
| Venue | Best For | Drink Price | Kitchen | Live Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Table | Overall best | $15-20 | Yes | Fri-Sat |
| Anchor | Quiet drink | $15-20 | Yes | Sun sessions |
| Black Corner | New & trendy | $15-20 | Snacks only | No |
| Hazel Room | Food + drinks | $15-20 | Full menu | Fri |
| Atlas Standard | Atmosphere | $15-20 | Limited | Acoustic sets |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. Table does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.
Getting there: Public transport options in Aspendale. Don’t drive on Friday/Saturday nights — parking is scarce after 6pm.
Dress code: None of these are bottle-service-and-bouncers. Clean casual everywhere. Atlas Standard skews slightly smarter but won’t turn away anyone in jeans.
Age check: All venues are 18+. Bring ID if you look under 25 — they will ask.
Nearby
- Melbourne CBD Cocktail Bars
- Aspendale Restaurants — eat before or after
- Aspendale Things to Do
- All Aspendale Guides
Last updated: March 2026
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