Fitzroy’s wine bars scene is creative, gritty-chic, independent — 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 $12-14, cocktail $19-25. Happy hour (usually 5-7pm) knocks $3-5 off at most places.
Our Top Picks
1. Mia’s — 1 Brunswick Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Warm, busy, neighbourhood local Drinks: $12-27/glass
The wine bar the suburb rallies around. Mia’s 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 ($12-27/glass). When to go: Thursday is the sweet spot — good crowd, no queue.
2. Bellbird — 315 Rose Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Corner pub, proper carpets
The quiet achiever. Bellbird 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. The cocktails are made with house-infused spirits.
Best night: Friday DJs from 9pm.
3. Mia Kitchen — 27 Johnston Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-1am Vibe: Big, loud, dancing on weekends Drinks: $12-27/glass
Opened in 2025 and immediately became a regular spot for the under-35 crowd. The wine list focuses on small Australian producers. The space is tighter than Mia’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 house negroni uses a local amaro. If you hit capacity, put your name down and walk around the block — turnover is quick.
Drink this: A glass of the pet-nat ($12-27/glass). Pro tip: The back corner booth is the best seat.
4. Rosa Place — 249 Johnston Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-late Vibe: Neighbourhood corner pub, proper and unpretentious Drinks: $12-27/glass
The one for when you want food with your drinks. The kitchen runs until 10:30pm and the burgers 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: Any weeknight for a quick meal and drink without the weekend crowd.
5. Max’s — 231 Rose Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Candlelit basement, moody and intimate Drinks: $12-27/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 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: Sunset drinks on warmer evenings — arrive by 6pm for the golden hour.
Comparison
| Venue | Best For | Drink Price | Kitchen | Live Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mia’s | Overall best | $12-27/glass | Yes | Fri-Sat |
| Bellbird | Quiet drink | $12-27/glass | Yes | No |
| Mia Kitchen | New & trendy | $12-27/glass | Snacks only | No |
| Rosa Place | Food + drinks | $12-27/glass | Full menu | Fri |
| Max’s | Atmosphere | $12-27/glass | Limited | No |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. Mia’s does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.
Getting there: Trams 11, 86, 96 on Brunswick/Smith/Nicholson Streets. 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. Max’s 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
- Collingwood Wine Bars
- Fitzroy Restaurants — eat before or after
- Fitzroy Things to Do
- All Fitzroy Guides
Last updated: March 2026
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