Best Wine Bars in Elwood — 2026 Guide

Elwood’s wine bars scene is polished, family-friendly, upscale — 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 $13-15, cocktail $22-28. Happy hour (usually 5-7pm) knocks $3-5 off at most places.

Our Top Picks

1. Gus’s — 281 Pine Grove

Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-11pm Vibe: Warm, busy, neighbourhood local Drinks: $18-24/glass

The wine bar the suburb rallies around. Gus’s 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: Their signature negroni ($18-24/glass). When to go: Friday after 7pm for live music.

2. Nina’s — 128 North Road

Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-1am Vibe: Wine-focused, small plates

The quiet achiever. Nina’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 cheese board pairs perfectly with their wine by the glass.

Best night: Saturday arvo in the beer garden.

3. Max’s — 93 North Road

Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-1am Vibe: Outdoor courtyard, heat lamps in winter Drinks: $18-24/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 Gus’s — 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 tap list rotates every two weeks with a Victorian-only policy. If you hit capacity, put your name down and walk around the block — turnover is quick.

Drink this: A glass of the pet-nat ($18-24/glass). Pro tip: Arrive before 7pm on Friday to avoid the wait.

4. The High Room — 278 Johnston Avenue

Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-late Vibe: Neighbourhood corner pub, proper and unpretentious Drinks: $18-24/glass

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 charcuterie board feeds three.

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: 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. Kai Press — 295 North Road

Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Laneway entrance, exposed brick, jazz on the stereo Drinks: $18-24/glass

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 classic cocktails executed cleanly, no gimmicks. Food is limited to a small snack menu — olives, cheese, bread but you’re not here for the food.

Best for: Small group celebrations — book the corner section.

Comparison

Practical Info

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

Getting there: Public transport options in Elwood. 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 Press 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 Yarra Wine Bars
• Elwood Restaurants — eat before or after
• Elwood Things to Do
• All Elwood Guides

Last updated: March 2026

Keep Exploring

More in this area:

• Best Pubs in Elwood
• Best Bars in Elwood
• Nightlife Guide in Elwood
• Best Cocktail Bars in Elwood

Useful tools:

• Melbourne Nightlife Guide
• Find Your Perfect Melbourne Suburb
• Explore Elwood