Carnegie’s cocktail bars scene is evolving, community-driven, emerging — 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 $12-14, cocktail $19-25. Happy hour (usually 5-7pm) knocks $3-5 off at most places.
Our Top Picks
1. Nina — 339 Beach Terrace
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Moody, dim-lit, excellent playlist Drinks: $19-25
The cocktail bar the suburb rallies around. Nina 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 ($19-25). When to go: Any weeknight for a quiet drink.
2. Ada Standard — 44 George Road
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Hidden behind an unmarked door
The quiet achiever. Ada Standard 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. The parma is legitimately one of the best in the area.
Best night: Friday DJs from 9pm.
3. Table — 64 Fitzroy Grove
Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-late Vibe: Small, intimate, conversation-volume Drinks: $19-25
Opened in 2025 and immediately became a regular spot for the under-35 crowd. The spirits selection includes hard-to-find local gins. The space is tighter than Nina — 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: Their signature sour ($19-25). Pro tip: Ask for the off-menu cocktail — they’ll make something custom.
4. New Commons — 380 Fitzroy Grove
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Sports screens plus decent food — the rare combo Drinks: $19-25
The one for when you want food with your drinks. The kitchen runs until 10pm and the sliders are genuinely good, not bar-food-as-afterthought. The loaded fries are the move.
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: Any weeknight for a quick meal and drink without the weekend crowd.
5. Marco Room — 220 Fitzroy Grove
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Hidden garden bar behind a bookshelf door Drinks: $19-25
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 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
| Venue | Best For | Drink Price | Kitchen | Live Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nina | Overall best | $19-25 | Yes | No |
| Ada Standard | Quiet drink | $19-25 | Yes | Occasionally |
| Table | New & trendy | $19-25 | Snacks only | No |
| New Commons | Food + drinks | $19-25 | Full menu | No |
| Marco Room | Atmosphere | $19-25 | Limited | DJs Sat |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. Nina does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.
Getting there: Public transport options in Carnegie. 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. Marco 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
- Brighton Cocktail Bars
- Carnegie Restaurants — eat before or after
- Carnegie Things to Do
- All Carnegie Guides
Last updated: March 2026
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