Best Pubs in Bentleigh — 2026 Guide

Bentleigh’s pubs scene is creative, walkable, authentic — and the pubs 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 $12-14, cocktail $19-25. Happy hour (usually 5-7pm) knocks $3-5 off at most places.

Our Top Picks

1. Tall Cellar — 117 Plenty Road

Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Warm, busy, neighbourhood local Drinks: $12-14

The pub the suburb rallies around. Tall Cellar 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 back room is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.

Drink this: A glass of the house red ($12-14). When to go: Tuesday for trivia and half-price pots.

2. Atlas’s — 232 Nicholson Street

Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-11pm Vibe: Wine-focused, small plates

The quiet achiever. Atlas’s 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. Their natural wine selection is surprisingly deep.

Best night: Sunday sessions with live jazz.

3. The Red Room — 252 Bell Road

Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Small, intimate, conversation-volume Drinks: $12-14

Opened in 2025 and immediately became a regular spot for the under-35 crowd. The wine list focuses on small Australian producers. The space is tighter than Tall Cellar — 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 natural wine section is surprisingly deep for a bar this size. If you hit capacity, put your name down and walk around the block — turnover is quick.

Drink this: A glass of the pet-nat ($12-14). Pro tip: Ask for the off-menu cocktail — they’ll make something custom.

4. Ava Mill — 113 Nicholson Street

Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-1am Vibe: Neighbourhood corner pub, proper and unpretentious Drinks: $12-14

The one for when you want food with your drinks. The kitchen runs until 10pm and the pizza are genuinely good, not bar-food-as-afterthought. The charcuterie board feeds three.

The drinks list complements the food — craft beers on rotation with consistent quality. It’s the kind of place where you come for one beer and stay for dinner because you smell the kitchen.

Best combo: Parma and a pint — the Melbourne classic, done properly. When to come: Saturday from 5pm — it fills up by 7pm.

5. Rex — 248 Plenty Road

Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Rooftop terrace with city views Drinks: $12-14

The vibe pick. Not the best drinks on this list, but the garden setting 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 charcuterie and cheese boards only but you’re not here for the food.

Best for: Sunset drinks on warmer evenings — arrive by 6pm for the golden hour.

Comparison

Practical Info

Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. Tall Cellar does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.

Getting there: Public transport options in Bentleigh. 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. Rex 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

• Brighton Pubs
• Bentleigh Restaurants — eat before or after
• Bentleigh Things to Do
• All Bentleigh Guides

Last updated: March 2026

Keep Exploring

More in this area:

• Best Bars in Bentleigh
• Nightlife Guide in Bentleigh

Useful tools:

• Melbourne Nightlife Guide
• Melbourne Rent Comparison Tool
• Explore Bentleigh