Kings Park’s cocktail bars scene is affordable, diverse, developing — and the cocktail 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. Green Depot — 323 Oak Lane
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Warm, busy, neighbourhood local Drinks: $15-20
The cocktail bar the suburb rallies around. Green Depot 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 courtyard is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.
Drink this: The rotating craft tap ($15-20). When to go: Friday after 7pm for live music.
2. Ash Press — 66 Oak Lane
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-late Vibe: Hidden behind an unmarked door
The quiet achiever. Ash Press 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 parma is legitimately one of the best in the area.
Best night: Wednesday trivia (free entry).
3. Iris — 15 Main Crescent
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-1am Vibe: Small, intimate, conversation-volume Drinks: $15-20
Opened in 2025 and immediately became a regular spot for the under-35 crowd. The tap list leans towards Victorian craft breweries. The space is tighter than Green Depot — 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 natural wine section is surprisingly deep for a bar this size. If you hit capacity, put your name down and walk around the block — turnover is quick.
Drink this: The house old fashioned ($15-20). Pro tip: The back corner booth is the best seat.
4. High Corner — 272 Beach Grove
Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Modern gastropub with craft focus Drinks: $15-20
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 charcuterie board feeds three.
The drinks list complements the food — a cocktail list designed around the kitchen’s flavours. 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. Ivy Post — 196 Oak Lane
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-late Vibe: Laneway entrance, exposed brick, jazz on the stereo Drinks: $15-20
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: A nightcap after dinner somewhere nearby.
Comparison
| Venue | Best For | Drink Price | Kitchen | Live Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Depot | Overall best | $15-20 | Yes | No |
| Ash Press | Quiet drink | $15-20 | Yes | Occasionally |
| Iris | New & trendy | $15-20 | Snacks only | No |
| High Corner | Food + drinks | $15-20 | Full menu | No |
| Ivy Post | Atmosphere | $15-20 | Limited | Acoustic sets |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. Green Depot does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.
Getting there: Public transport options in Kings Park. 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 Post 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 Cocktail Bars
- Kings Park Restaurants — eat before or after
- Kings Park Things to Do
- All Kings Park Guides
Last updated: March 2026
Keep Exploring
More in this area:
- Best Pubs in Kings Park
- Best Bars in Kings Park
- Nightlife Guide in Kings Park
- Best Wine Bars in Kings Park
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