Kew’s bar scene is small, refined, and built for regulars rather than bar-hoppers. The suburb has maybe six or seven proper drinking venues, which means the good ones have had to earn repeat business rather than coast on foot traffic. Here are the ones worth your evening.
Best for a Proper Pub Night
Postmaster Hotel — 186 High Street
The Postmaster is Kew’s flagship venue, and it earns the title. Housed in the heritage-listed former Kew Post Office (built 1888), the Grossi family has turned this into a multi-space pub that handles everything from a Tuesday pot to a Saturday celebration. The front bar does traditional pub right — Carlton Draught pots for $8, a parma for $23, and no pretension. The aperitivo bar upstairs shifts the mood: spritzes from $12, small plates, and the kind of golden-hour light that makes everyone look better. The rooftop atrium is the social hub on warm evenings. Happy hour runs Thursday to Saturday, 5-7pm, with $8 pints and $12 spritzes.
When to go: Thursday or Friday after work for the aperitivo bar. Saturday afternoon for the rooftop. Price: Two rounds with bar snacks: $60-$80.
Harp of Erin Hotel — 145 Cotham Road
The Harp has been serving Kew for decades and it knows exactly what it is — a proper local. The front bar is dark wood, low lighting, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to stay for one more. Bistro does honest pub classics: parma around $22, steaks around $30, chips that hit the spot. The sports bar fills up during footy season with multiple screens. Live music in the back room on weekends — nothing stadium-scale, but solid for a suburban pub. Pints run $9-$12.
When to go: Tuesday or Wednesday for a quiet midweek pint. Saturday afternoon for live music. Price: Two pints and a bistro meal: $55-$70.
Best for Wine and Conversation
Barr’d Wine & Tapas Bar — near Kew Junction
Kew’s small bar, and it justifies the suburb’s wine credentials. Intimate fit-out: low lighting, a handful of tables, and a wine list that takes its subject seriously without taking itself too seriously. By-the-glass options start around $12 and run to $30 for special bottles. The tapas menu works — cheese boards, charcuterie, a few hot plates designed for sharing over a second glass. The crowd is unpretentious people who appreciate good wine. Closes around 11pm, so this is an early-evening destination.
When to go: Weeknight date nights. The room works best when it’s not packed. Price: A bottle and tapas board for two: $80-$110.
Best for a Long Weekend Session
Skinny Dog Hotel — Kew Junction area
The Skinny Dog’s rooftop beer garden is Kew’s best outdoor drinking space — leafy, covered, heated for year-round use. The spritz list is the draw ($12-$16 for Aperol, Campari, and variations), and the pub menu does modern classics with enough care to surprise you. The parma is a genuine contender for best in the eastern suburbs. The atmosphere is lively without being chaotic — this is a Saturday-afternoon-into-evening venue where you start with lunch and see where it goes.
When to go: Saturday from 2pm. Sunday sessions are underrated here. Price: Afternoon session with food: $70-$90.
FAQ
Is Kew good for a night out? Kew is good for a civilised evening — pub sessions, wine bars, aperitivo — but it is not a late-night suburb. Most venues close by midnight. For DJ sets and cocktail bars, head to Richmond or Hawthorn via tram 48.
What is the best bar for a date in Kew? Barr’d Wine & Tapas Bar for intimate conversation, or the Postmaster’s aperitivo bar for something with more energy.
Are there any cocktail bars in Kew? The Back Room Bar near Kew Junction does creative cocktails ($22-$28) in a moody, low-lit space. It is small, closes early, and rewards those who seek it out.
More on Kew: Kew Suburb Guide · [Best Restaurants in Kew](/kew/best-restaurants/) · [Kew Nightlife Guide](/kew/nightlife-guide/)
Explore More of Kew
- Kew History
- Kew Rent Guide
- Kew Kew For Retirees
- Kew Things To Do
- Kew Cost of Living
- Kew Young Professionals Guide
- Kew Nightlife Guide
- Kew Transport Guide
💬 Discussion
Join the conversation — no account needed