Avondale Heights’s wine bars scene is unpretentious, multicultural, value-driven — and the wine 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. Cardinal — 191 Fitzroy Street
Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-11pm Vibe: Moody, dim-lit, excellent playlist Drinks: $18-27/glass
The wine bar the suburb rallies around. Cardinal gets the fundamentals right — good drinks, comfortable room, staff who know the menu. The cocktail menu rotates monthly, which keeps regulars from getting bored. The upstairs level is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.
Drink this: Their signature negroni ($18-27/glass). When to go: Friday after 7pm for live music.
2. Depot — 347 Johnston Grove
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-late Vibe: Open-air, fairy lights, garden seats
The quiet achiever. Depot doesn’t have a PR budget or an Instagram strategy — it has regulars who come three times a week. The wine list is the draw. The cocktails are made with house-infused spirits.
Best night: Sunday sessions with live jazz.
3. Little Works — 361 Clarendon Lane
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Small, intimate, conversation-volume Drinks: $18-27/glass
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 Cardinal — 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 non-alcoholic cocktail list is genuinely creative, not an afterthought. If you hit capacity, put your name down and walk around the block — turnover is quick.
Drink this: Whatever the bartender recommends ($18-27/glass). Pro tip: The back corner booth is the best seat.
4. Ivy — 181 Anderson Drive
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-1am Vibe: Neighbourhood corner pub, proper and unpretentious Drinks: $18-27/glass
The one for when you want food with your drinks. The kitchen runs until 9:30pm 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: Any weeknight for a quick meal and drink without the weekend crowd.
5. Bright Room — 323 Fitzroy Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Rooftop terrace with city views Drinks: $18-27/glass
The vibe pick. Not the best drinks on this list, but the candlelit basement 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 designed around the aesthetic — photogenic serves that actually taste good. Food is limited to empanadas and dip plates but you’re not here for the food.
Best for: Sunset drinks on warmer evenings — arrive by 6pm for the golden hour.
Comparison
| Venue | Best For | Drink Price | Kitchen | Live Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinal | Overall best | $18-27/glass | Yes | Weekends |
| Depot | Quiet drink | $18-27/glass | Yes | Sun sessions |
| Little Works | New & trendy | $18-27/glass | Snacks only | No |
| Ivy | Food + drinks | $18-27/glass | Full menu | Yes |
| Bright Room | Atmosphere | $18-27/glass | Limited | Acoustic sets |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. Cardinal does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.
Getting there: Public transport options in Avondale Heights. 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. Bright Room 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 Wine Bars
- Avondale Heights Restaurants — eat before or after
- Avondale Heights Things to Do
- All Avondale Heights Guides
Last updated: March 2026
Keep Exploring
More in this area:
- Best Pubs in Avondale Heights
- Best Bars in Avondale Heights
- Nightlife Guide in Avondale Heights
- Best Cocktail Bars in Avondale Heights
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