Doreen’s cocktail bars scene is unpretentious, multicultural, value-driven — 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 $10-12, cocktail $15-20. Happy hour (usually 5-7pm) knocks $3-5 off at most places.
Our Top Picks
1. The Good Depot — 184 Lygon Lane
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Warm, busy, neighbourhood local Drinks: $15-20
The cocktail bar the suburb rallies around. The Good Depot 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 back room is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.
Drink this: The rotating craft tap ($15-20). When to go: Tuesday for trivia and half-price pots.
2. Little Commons — 183 Willow Place
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Hidden behind an unmarked door
The quiet achiever. Little Commons 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 cocktails are made with house-infused spirits.
Best night: Friday DJs from 9pm.
3. Zara — 361 Mary Avenue
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-late Vibe: Outdoor courtyard, heat lamps in winter Drinks: $15-20
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 The Good Depot — 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: Whatever the bartender recommends ($15-20). Pro tip: The back corner booth is the best seat.
4. Yard — 247 Lygon Lane
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-late Vibe: Neighbourhood corner pub, proper and unpretentious Drinks: $15-20
The one for when you want food with your drinks. The kitchen runs until 9:30pm and the pizza 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 burger with their house lager — simple and perfect. When to come: Thursday for the midweek special.
5. The Blue Store — 106 Bell Crescent
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Candlelit basement, moody and intimate Drinks: $15-20
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 charcuterie and cheese boards only but you’re not here for the food.
Best for: Small group celebrations — book the corner section.
Comparison
| Venue | Best For | Drink Price | Kitchen | Live Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Good Depot | Overall best | $15-20 | Yes | Fri-Sat |
| Little Commons | Quiet drink | $15-20 | Yes | No |
| Zara | New & trendy | $15-20 | Snacks only | No |
| Yard | Food + drinks | $15-20 | Full menu | Yes |
| The Blue Store | Atmosphere | $15-20 | Limited | No |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. The Good Depot does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.
Getting there: Public transport options in Doreen. 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. The Blue 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
- South Morang Cocktail Bars
- Doreen Restaurants — eat before or after
- Doreen Things to Do
- All Doreen Guides
Last updated: March 2026
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