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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Best Wine Bars in Fitzroy
Marion Wine Bar
Marion is the polished Fitzroy choice for drinkers who want serious wine without stiff service. The list moves confidently between classic producers and more playful bottles, and the staff are especially good at steering you toward something that fits the food, the mood and the budget.
Bar Liberty
Bar Liberty suits a longer, looser night where wine is the centre of the table but dinner matters too. Expect a confident, left-field list with skin-contact whites, pet-nats, sharp chardonnays and textural reds, matched with food that feels more restaurant than snack bar.
Amarillo
Amarillo brings a warmer, Spanish-leaning energy to Fitzroy’s wine-bar circuit, with share plates, low lighting and a soundtrack that keeps the room moving. It is a strong pick for dates, small groups and anyone who wants a glass of wine with seafood, anchovies, jamon or something salty from the kitchen.
Riso
Riso works well when you want a relaxed, neighbourhood-style wine bar rather than a special-occasion booking. The Italian-leaning menu changes regularly, and the wine list is compact enough to feel approachable while still giving natural and minimal-intervention drinkers plenty to chase.
Par
Par is a smart Brunswick Street option for people who like their wine bars a little more contemporary and cocktail-adjacent. The wine program gives the venue its backbone, but it is also a good compromise spot when one person wants a spritz, another wants a martini and someone else wants a chilled red.
Local Tips
Fitzroy wine bars reward wandering, especially around Gertrude Street, Brunswick Street and the side streets between them. Many of the best rooms are small, so booking is useful for Marion and Bar Liberty, while more casual places are often easier earlier in the week.
If you are drinking natural wine, ask what is open by the glass rather than relying only on the printed list. Fitzroy venues often pour small-batch bottles that change quickly, and the most interesting option may be something staff have just opened.
For a quieter night, aim for Tuesday to Thursday before 7pm. Friday and Saturday bring the full Fitzroy rhythm: louder rooms, later bookings, more walk-ins and a stronger chance that your “one glass” becomes dinner.
Pair the bar with the street. Gertrude Street is best for a more polished crawl, Brunswick Street is better for a messier night with late options nearby, and Rose Street works nicely if you want wine before or after galleries, markets or casual food.
Broadsheet’s Fitzroy guide notes venues including Marion, Bar Liberty and Amarillo among the suburb’s bars, which is a useful starting point for checking what is currently active before you go: Broadsheet Fitzroy Guide.
FAQ
What is the best Fitzroy wine bar for a date?
Marion is the safest pick for a polished date because the room, service and wine list all feel considered without being formal. Amarillo is better if you want something warmer, louder and more relaxed.
Where should I go for natural wine in Fitzroy?
Bar Liberty, Riso and Par are all good bets for natural, minimal-intervention or more experimental bottles. Ask staff what is drinking well by the glass, because the best pour may not be the most obvious name on the list.
Do Fitzroy wine bars serve proper food?
Yes, many Fitzroy wine bars blur the line between bar and restaurant. Marion and Bar Liberty are the strongest choices for a full meal, while Amarillo and Riso are ideal for snacks, share plates and a slower grazing-style night.
