Campbellfield’s cocktail bars scene is residential, friendly, growing — 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 $11-13, cocktail $17-23. Happy hour (usually 5-7pm) knocks $3-5 off at most places.
Our Top Picks
1. New Bench — 44 Bridge Avenue
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-11pm Vibe: Industrial-chic, conversation-friendly Drinks: $17-23
The cocktail bar the suburb rallies around. New Bench gets the fundamentals right — good drinks, comfortable room, staff who know the menu. The tap list rotates monthly, which keeps regulars from getting bored. The upstairs level is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.
Drink this: A glass of the house red ($17-23). When to go: Tuesday for trivia and half-price pots.
2. Rex — 139 Edward Crescent
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Open-air, fairy lights, garden seats
The quiet achiever. Rex doesn’t have a PR budget or an Instagram strategy — it has regulars who come three times a week. The front bar is the draw. Their natural wine selection is surprisingly deep.
Best night: Saturday arvo in the beer garden.
3. Canvas — 99 Edward Crescent
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-late Vibe: Small, intimate, conversation-volume Drinks: $17-23
Opened in 2025 and immediately became a regular spot for the under-35 crowd. The cocktail list references classic recipes with local twists. The space is tighter than New Bench — 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: Their signature sour ($17-23). Pro tip: The back corner booth is the best seat.
4. Max’s — 30 Ash Road
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Neighbourhood corner pub, proper and unpretentious Drinks: $17-23
The one for when you want food with your drinks. The kitchen runs until 9:30pm and the sliders are genuinely good, not bar-food-as-afterthought. The steak sandwich is the sleeper hit.
The drinks list complements the food — a cocktail list designed around the kitchen’s flavours. It’s the kind of place where you come for one beer and stay for dinner because you smell the kitchen.
Best combo: The cheese board with a glass of the house red, $35 total. When to come: Sunday afternoon — relaxed, the kitchen is unhurried, and there’s live music.
5. Tall Commons — 86 Ash Road
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Rooftop terrace with city views Drinks: $17-23
The vibe pick. Not the best drinks on this list, but the laneway entrance 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 empanadas and dip plates but you’re not here for the food.
Best for: A nightcap after dinner somewhere nearby.
Comparison
| Venue | Best For | Drink Price | Kitchen | Live Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Bench | Overall best | $17-23 | Yes | Weekends |
| Rex | Quiet drink | $17-23 | Yes | Sun sessions |
| Canvas | New & trendy | $17-23 | Snacks only | No |
| Max’s | Food + drinks | $17-23 | Full menu | Fri |
| Tall Commons | Atmosphere | $17-23 | Limited | DJs Sat |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. New Bench does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.
Getting there: Public transport options in Campbellfield. 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. Tall Commons 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
- Preston Cocktail Bars
- Campbellfield Restaurants — eat before or after
- Campbellfield Things to Do
- All Campbellfield Guides
Last updated: March 2026
Keep Exploring
More in this area:
- Best Pubs in Campbellfield
- Best Bars in Campbellfield
- Nightlife Guide in Campbellfield
- Best Wine Bars in Campbellfield
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