Footscray’s cocktail bars scene is multicultural, gritty, rapidly gentrifying — 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 $12-14, cocktail $19-25. Happy hour (usually 5-7pm) knocks $3-5 off at most places.
Our Top Picks
1. Stella’s — 259 Hopkins Street
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-1am Vibe: Rooftop terrace, sunset views Drinks: $19-25
The cocktail bar the suburb rallies around. Stella’s gets the fundamentals right — good drinks, comfortable room, staff who know the menu. The tap list rotates monthly, which keeps regulars from getting bored. The upstairs level is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.
Drink this: A glass of the house red ($19-25). When to go: Any weeknight for a quiet drink.
2. River’s — 201 Barkly Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Open-air, fairy lights, garden seats
The quiet achiever. River’s doesn’t have a PR budget or an Instagram strategy — it has regulars who come three times a week. The wine list is the draw. The cheese board pairs perfectly with their wine by the glass.
Best night: Wednesday trivia (free entry).
3. Rex Table — 318 Irving Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Small, intimate, conversation-volume Drinks: $19-25
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 Stella’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 ($19-25). Pro tip: Ask for the off-menu cocktail — they’ll make something custom.
4. Ivy Press — 104 Hopkins Street
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Modern gastropub with craft focus Drinks: $19-25
The one for when you want food with your drinks. The kitchen runs until 10:30pm and the sliders are genuinely good, not bar-food-as-afterthought. The charcuterie board feeds three.
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: Sunday afternoon — relaxed, the kitchen is unhurried, and there’s live music.
5. Max — 52 Barkly Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-late Vibe: Candlelit basement, moody and intimate Drinks: $19-25
The vibe pick. Not the best drinks on this list, but the garden setting 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 bar snacks and a single dessert option 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stella’s | Overall best | $19-25 | Yes | Weekends |
| River’s | Quiet drink | $19-25 | Yes | Sun sessions |
| Rex Table | New & trendy | $19-25 | Snacks only | No |
| Ivy Press | Food + drinks | $19-25 | Full menu | Fri |
| Max | Atmosphere | $19-25 | Limited | DJs Sat |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. Stella’s does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.
Getting there: Footscray station (10min to CBD). 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 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
- Seddon Cocktail Bars
- Footscray Restaurants — eat before or after
- Footscray Things to Do
- All Footscray Guides
Last updated: March 2026
Keep Exploring
More in this area:
Nearby suburbs:
Useful tools:
💬 Discussion
Join the conversation — no account needed