Best Bars in Frankston South — 2026 Guide

Frankston South’s bars scene is affordable, diverse, developing — and the 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 $10-12, cocktail $15-20. Happy hour (usually 5-7pm) knocks $3-5 off at most places.

Our Top Picks

1. Nina’s — 31 Brunswick Place

Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-late Vibe: Rooftop terrace, sunset views Drinks: $10-12

The bar the suburb rallies around. Nina’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 back room is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.

Drink this: The house lager on tap ($10-12). When to go: Tuesday for trivia and half-price pots.

2. Oliver’s — 180 Station Lane

Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-11pm Vibe: Hidden behind an unmarked door

The quiet achiever. Oliver’s doesn’t have a PR budget or an Instagram strategy — it has regulars who come three times a week. The front bar is the draw. The cheese board pairs perfectly with their wine by the glass.

Best night: Wednesday trivia (free entry).

3. Luna — 173 Station Lane

Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-late Vibe: Big, loud, dancing on weekends Drinks: $10-12

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 Nina’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: Whatever the bartender recommends ($10-12). Pro tip: The back corner booth is the best seat.

4. The Green Kitchen — 343 Elm Parade

Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Pub grub elevated, beer garden out back Drinks: $10-12

The one for when you want food with your drinks. The kitchen runs until 9:30pm and the sliders are genuinely good, not bar-food-as-afterthought. The steak sandwich is the sleeper hit.

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: Parma and a pint — the Melbourne classic, done properly. When to come: Thursday for the midweek special.

5. Ivy’s — 207 Edward Terrace

Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Hidden garden bar behind a bookshelf door Drinks: $10-12

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 empanadas and dip plates but you’re not here for the food.

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

Comparison

Venue	Best For	Drink Price	Kitchen	Live Music
Nina’s	Overall best	$10-12	Yes	Weekends
Oliver’s	Quiet drink	$10-12	Yes	Occasionally
Luna	New & trendy	$10-12	Snacks only	No
The Green Kitchen	Food + drinks	$10-12	Full menu	No
Ivy’s	Atmosphere	$10-12	Limited	DJs Sat

Practical Info

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

Getting there: Public transport options in Frankston South. 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. Ivy’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

Melbourne CBD Bars
Frankston South Restaurants — eat before or after
Frankston South Things to Do
All Frankston South Guides

Last updated: March 2026

Keep Exploring

More in this area:

Useful tools: