Best Pubs in Cheltenham — 2026 Guide

Cheltenham’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. Oliver Bench — 25 Johnston Terrace

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

The pub the suburb rallies around. Oliver 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: Their signature negroni ($12-14). When to go: Any weeknight for a quiet drink.

2. Atlas Quarter — 254 Johnston Terrace

Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Open-air, fairy lights, garden seats

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

Best night: Sunday sessions with live jazz.

3. Nina — 278 Johnston Terrace

Hours: Tue-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 cocktail list references classic recipes with local twists. The space is tighter than Oliver 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 house negroni uses a local amaro. If you hit capacity, put your name down and walk around the block — turnover is quick.

Drink this: Whatever the bartender recommends ($12-14). Pro tip: Ask for the off-menu cocktail — they’ll make something custom.

4. The Sunny Quarter — 136 Fitzroy Avenue

Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-11pm Vibe: Sports screens plus decent food — the rare combo Drinks: $12-14

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 wings have a proper chilli kick.

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: Thursday for the midweek special.

5. Kai Store — 299 Willow Lane

Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-11pm 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 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: First dates, anniversary drinks, or impressing out-of-town visitors.

Comparison

Practical Info

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

Getting there: Public transport options in Cheltenham. 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. Kai Store 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

• Sandringham Pubs
• Cheltenham Restaurants — eat before or after
• Cheltenham Things to Do
• All Cheltenham Guides

Last updated: March 2026

Keep Exploring

More in this area:

• Best Bars in Cheltenham
• Nightlife Guide in Cheltenham

Useful tools:

• Melbourne Nightlife Guide
• Compare Melbourne Suburbs
• Explore Cheltenham