Highett’s wine bars scene is creative, walkable, authentic — 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. Pilgrim — 135 Flinders Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-11pm Vibe: Moody, dim-lit, excellent playlist Drinks: $16-27/glass
The wine bar the suburb rallies around. Pilgrim 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: Their signature negroni ($16-27/glass). When to go: Tuesday for trivia and half-price pots.
2. Ruby — 178 Flinders Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-late Vibe: Wine-focused, small plates
The quiet achiever. Ruby 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: Saturday arvo in the beer garden.
3. Sol Larder — 228 Flinders Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-late Vibe: Outdoor courtyard, heat lamps in winter Drinks: $16-27/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 Pilgrim — 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 ($16-27/glass). Pro tip: Tuesday is the quietest night and the bartender has more time to chat.
4. Ash Local — 20 Bridge Lane
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-11pm Vibe: Modern gastropub with craft focus Drinks: $16-27/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 loaded fries are the move.
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 cheese board with a glass of the house red, $35 total. When to come: Any weeknight for a quick meal and drink without the weekend crowd.
5. Red Place — 358 Bridge Lane
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-1am Vibe: Hidden garden bar behind a bookshelf door Drinks: $16-27/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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilgrim | Overall best | $16-27/glass | Yes | No |
| Ruby | Quiet drink | $16-27/glass | Yes | No |
| Sol Larder | New & trendy | $16-27/glass | Snacks only | No |
| Ash Local | Food + drinks | $16-27/glass | Full menu | No |
| Red Place | Atmosphere | $16-27/glass | Limited | Acoustic sets |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. Pilgrim does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.
Getting there: Public transport options in Highett. 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. Red Place 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
- Sandringham Wine Bars
- Highett Restaurants — eat before or after
- Highett Things to Do
- All Highett Guides
Last updated: March 2026
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