Harkaway’s wine bars scene is affordable, diverse, developing — 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 $10-12, cocktail $15-20. Happy hour (usually 5-7pm) knocks $3-5 off at most places.
Our Top Picks
1. Mabel’s — 31 South Crescent
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-11pm Vibe: Warm, busy, neighbourhood local Drinks: $14-23/glass
The wine bar the suburb rallies around. Mabel’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 front bar is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.
Drink this: The house lager on tap ($14-23/glass). When to go: Tuesday for trivia and half-price pots.
2. Ivy’s — 22 Victoria Place
Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-11pm Vibe: Wine-focused, small plates
The quiet achiever. Ivy’s doesn’t have a PR budget or an Instagram strategy — it has regulars who come three times a week. The snack menu is the draw. The cheese board pairs perfectly with their wine by the glass.
Best night: Sunday sessions with live jazz.
3. High Quarter — 156 George Parade
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-late Vibe: Cozy wine den, candlelit Drinks: $14-23/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 Mabel’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 non-alcoholic cocktail list is genuinely creative, not an afterthought. If you hit capacity, put your name down and walk around the block — turnover is quick.
Drink this: Their signature sour ($14-23/glass). Pro tip: Ask for the off-menu cocktail — they’ll make something custom.
4. The Southern Commons — 122 Victoria Place
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Neighbourhood corner pub, proper and unpretentious Drinks: $14-23/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 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: The cheese board with a glass of the house red, $35 total. When to come: Saturday from 5pm — it fills up by 7pm.
5. Finn Store — 197 Young Parade
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-late Vibe: Candlelit basement, moody and intimate Drinks: $14-23/glass
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 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: A nightcap after dinner somewhere nearby.
Comparison
| Venue | Best For | Drink Price | Kitchen | Live Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mabel’s | Overall best | $14-23/glass | Yes | Fri-Sat |
| Ivy’s | Quiet drink | $14-23/glass | Yes | Sun sessions |
| High Quarter | New & trendy | $14-23/glass | Snacks only | No |
| The Southern Commons | Food + drinks | $14-23/glass | Full menu | Yes |
| Finn Store | Atmosphere | $14-23/glass | Limited | DJs Sat |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. Mabel’s does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.
Getting there: Public transport options in Harkaway. 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. Finn Store 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 Wine Bars
- Harkaway Restaurants — eat before or after
- Harkaway Things to Do
- All Harkaway Guides
Last updated: March 2026
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