Forest Hill’s wine bars scene is residential, friendly, growing — 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 $11-13, cocktail $17-23. Happy hour (usually 5-7pm) knocks $3-5 off at most places.
Our Top Picks
1. Merchant — 330 Plenty Drive
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-late Vibe: Moody, dim-lit, excellent playlist Drinks: $15-24/glass
The wine bar the suburb rallies around. Merchant 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 courtyard is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.
Drink this: Their espresso martini ($15-24/glass). When to go: Thursday is the sweet spot — good crowd, no queue.
2. Merchant — 115 Plenty Drive
Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-1am Vibe: Corner pub, proper carpets
The quiet achiever. Merchant 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. Their natural wine selection is surprisingly deep.
Best night: Sunday sessions with live jazz.
3. Archive — 297 Young Place
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Outdoor courtyard, heat lamps in winter Drinks: $15-24/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 Merchant — 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: The house old fashioned ($15-24/glass). Pro tip: The back corner booth is the best seat.
4. Ash — 84 Barkly Grove
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Neighbourhood corner pub, proper and unpretentious Drinks: $15-24/glass
The one for when you want food with your drinks. The kitchen runs until 10pm and the burgers are genuinely good, not bar-food-as-afterthought. The charcuterie board feeds three.
The drinks list complements the food — an approachable wine list that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s the kind of place where you come for one beer and stay for dinner because you smell the kitchen.
Best combo: Share plates for two plus a bottle of wine, under $90. When to come: Saturday from 5pm — it fills up by 7pm.
5. Quarter — 257 King Grove
Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-1am Vibe: Hidden garden bar behind a bookshelf door Drinks: $15-24/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 designed around the aesthetic — photogenic serves that actually taste good. Food is limited to empanadas and dip plates 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merchant | Overall best | $15-24/glass | Yes | Fri-Sat |
| Merchant | Quiet drink | $15-24/glass | Yes | Sun sessions |
| Archive | New & trendy | $15-24/glass | Snacks only | No |
| Ash | Food + drinks | $15-24/glass | Full menu | Fri |
| Quarter | Atmosphere | $15-24/glass | Limited | DJs Sat |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. Merchant does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.
Getting there: Public transport options in Forest Hill. 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. Quarter 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
- Box Hill Wine Bars
- Forest Hill Restaurants — eat before or after
- Forest Hill Things to Do
- All Forest Hill Guides
Last updated: March 2026
Keep Exploring
More in this area:
- Best Pubs in Forest Hill
- Best Bars in Forest Hill
- Nightlife Guide in Forest Hill
- Best Cocktail Bars in Forest Hill
Useful tools:
💬 Discussion
Join the conversation — no account needed