Eltham’s wine bars scene is working-class, authentic, community-focused — and the wine 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. Good Works — 108 Bell Grove
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-late Vibe: Industrial-chic, conversation-friendly Drinks: $18-22/glass
The wine bar the suburb rallies around. Good Works gets the fundamentals right — good drinks, comfortable room, staff who know the menu. The spirits selection rotates monthly, which keeps regulars from getting bored. The front bar is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.
Drink this: Their signature negroni ($18-22/glass). When to go: Friday after 7pm for live music.
2. Stella’s — 1 Nicholson Place
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-1am Vibe: Corner pub, proper carpets
The quiet achiever. Stella’s doesn’t have a PR budget or an Instagram strategy — it has regulars who come three times a week. The snack menu is the draw. The cocktails are made with house-infused spirits.
Best night: Sunday sessions with live jazz.
3. Pearl — 80 James Place
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Cozy wine den, candlelit Drinks: $18-22/glass
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 Good Works — 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 ($18-22/glass). Pro tip: Tuesday is the quietest night and the bartender has more time to chat.
4. Ada’s — 13 Nicholson Place
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Modern gastropub with craft focus Drinks: $18-22/glass
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 — local pale ales and lagers that pair with the menu. 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. Rosa Mill — 297 Beach Road
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Hidden garden bar behind a bookshelf door Drinks: $18-22/glass
The vibe pick. Not the best drinks on this list, but the candlelit basement 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 a small snack menu — olives, cheese, bread 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good Works | Overall best | $18-22/glass | Yes | No |
| Stella’s | Quiet drink | $18-22/glass | Yes | Occasionally |
| Pearl | New & trendy | $18-22/glass | Snacks only | No |
| Ada’s | Food + drinks | $18-22/glass | Full menu | Yes |
| Rosa Mill | Atmosphere | $18-22/glass | Limited | DJs Sat |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. Good Works does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.
Getting there: Public transport options in Eltham. 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. Rosa Mill 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
- Melbourne CBD Wine Bars
- Eltham Restaurants — eat before or after
- Eltham Things to Do
- All Eltham Guides
Last updated: March 2026
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