Hillside’s wine bars scene is unpretentious, multicultural, value-driven — 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. Ada’s — 52 Young Drive
Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Moody, dim-lit, excellent playlist Drinks: $14-25/glass
The wine bar the suburb rallies around. Ada’s gets the fundamentals right — good drinks, comfortable room, staff who know the menu. The wine list rotates monthly, which keeps regulars from getting bored. The courtyard is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.
Drink this: The house lager on tap ($14-25/glass). When to go: Any weeknight for a quiet drink.
2. Vera’s — 284 Bell Grove
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Hidden behind an unmarked door
The quiet achiever. Vera’s 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: Friday DJs from 9pm.
3. Pearl Commons — 212 Bell Grove
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-1am Vibe: Big, loud, dancing on weekends Drinks: $14-25/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 Ada’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: Whatever the bartender recommends ($14-25/glass). Pro tip: The back corner booth is the best seat.
4. Merchant — 159 Bell Grove
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-1am Vibe: Pub grub elevated, beer garden out back Drinks: $14-25/glass
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 charcuterie board feeds three.
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: Sunday afternoon — relaxed, the kitchen is unhurried, and there’s live music.
5. Standard — 269 Young Drive
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-late Vibe: Hidden garden bar behind a bookshelf door Drinks: $14-25/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: Sunset drinks on warmer evenings — arrive by 6pm for the golden hour.
Comparison
| Venue | Best For | Drink Price | Kitchen | Live Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ada’s | Overall best | $14-25/glass | Yes | Weekends |
| Vera’s | Quiet drink | $14-25/glass | Yes | No |
| Pearl Commons | New & trendy | $14-25/glass | Snacks only | No |
| Merchant | Food + drinks | $14-25/glass | Full menu | Fri |
| Standard | Atmosphere | $14-25/glass | Limited | DJs Sat |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. Ada’s does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.
Getting there: Public transport options in Hillside. 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. Standard 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
- Hillside Restaurants — eat before or after
- Hillside Things to Do
- All Hillside Guides
Last updated: March 2026
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