Niddrie’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. White Bench — 162 Nicholson Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-late Vibe: Warm, busy, neighbourhood local Drinks: $18-24/glass
The wine bar the suburb rallies around. White Bench gets the fundamentals right — good drinks, comfortable room, staff who know the menu. The spirits selection rotates monthly, which keeps regulars from getting bored. The upstairs level is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.
Drink this: The house lager on tap ($18-24/glass). When to go: Tuesday for trivia and half-price pots.
2. Larder — 120 Nicholson Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Open-air, fairy lights, garden seats
The quiet achiever. Larder doesn’t have a PR budget or an Instagram strategy — it has regulars who come three times a week. The front bar is the draw. The cheese board pairs perfectly with their wine by the glass.
Best night: Sunday sessions with live jazz.
3. Ava Standard — 229 Swan Place
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Outdoor courtyard, heat lamps in winter Drinks: $18-24/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 White Bench — 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: The house old fashioned ($18-24/glass). Pro tip: Ask for the off-menu cocktail — they’ll make something custom.
4. Southern Table — 240 Swan Place
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-1am Vibe: Neighbourhood corner pub, proper and unpretentious Drinks: $18-24/glass
The one for when you want food with your drinks. The kitchen runs until 10:30pm and the share plates are genuinely good, not bar-food-as-afterthought. The wings have a proper chilli kick.
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: Share plates for two plus a bottle of wine, under $90. When to come: Thursday for the midweek special.
5. The Good Depot — 142 Pine Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-1am Vibe: Hidden garden bar behind a bookshelf door Drinks: $18-24/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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Bench | Overall best | $18-24/glass | Yes | Fri-Sat |
| Larder | Quiet drink | $18-24/glass | Yes | Occasionally |
| Ava Standard | New & trendy | $18-24/glass | Snacks only | No |
| Southern Table | Food + drinks | $18-24/glass | Full menu | Fri |
| The Good Depot | Atmosphere | $18-24/glass | Limited | DJs Sat |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. White Bench does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.
Getting there: Public transport options in Niddrie. 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. The Good Depot 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
- Niddrie Restaurants — eat before or after
- Niddrie Things to Do
- All Niddrie Guides
Last updated: March 2026
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