Montrose’s wine bars scene is working-class, authentic, community-focused — 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. River’s — 380 Victoria Road
Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Moody, dim-lit, excellent playlist Drinks: $18-26/glass
The wine bar the suburb rallies around. River’s gets the fundamentals right — good drinks, comfortable room, staff who know the menu. The tap list rotates monthly, which keeps regulars from getting bored. The upstairs level is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.
Drink this: Their espresso martini ($18-26/glass). When to go: Friday after 7pm for live music.
2. The Green Bench — 145 Mary Place
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Corner pub, proper carpets
The quiet achiever. The Green Bench 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: Saturday arvo in the beer garden.
3. Theo — 132 Mary Place
Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-1am Vibe: Outdoor courtyard, heat lamps in winter Drinks: $18-26/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 River’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 house negroni uses a local amaro. If you hit capacity, put your name down and walk around the block — turnover is quick.
Drink this: A glass of the pet-nat ($18-26/glass). Pro tip: Tuesday is the quietest night and the bartender has more time to chat.
4. Luna — 55 Mary Place
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-late Vibe: Neighbourhood corner pub, proper and unpretentious Drinks: $18-26/glass
The one for when you want food with your drinks. The kitchen runs until 10pm and the pizza 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. Bellbird — 60 Brunswick Avenue
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Candlelit basement, moody and intimate Drinks: $18-26/glass
The vibe pick. Not the best drinks on this list, but the laneway entrance 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: Sunset drinks on warmer evenings — arrive by 6pm for the golden hour.
Comparison
| Venue | Best For | Drink Price | Kitchen | Live Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| River’s | Overall best | $18-26/glass | Yes | Fri-Sat |
| The Green Bench | Quiet drink | $18-26/glass | Yes | No |
| Theo | New & trendy | $18-26/glass | Snacks only | No |
| Luna | Food + drinks | $18-26/glass | Full menu | No |
| Bellbird | Atmosphere | $18-26/glass | Limited | DJs Sat |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. River’s does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.
Getting there: Public transport options in Montrose. 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. Bellbird 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
- Lilydale Wine Bars
- Montrose Restaurants — eat before or after
- Montrose Things to Do
- All Montrose Guides
Last updated: March 2026
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