Northcote’s cocktail bars scene is inner-north creative hub, established foodie strip — 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 $12-14, cocktail $19-25. Happy hour (usually 5-7pm) knocks $3-5 off at most places.
Our Top Picks
1. The Sunny Yard — 349 Clarke Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Moody, dim-lit, excellent playlist Drinks: $19-25
The cocktail bar the suburb rallies around. The Sunny Yard 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 front bar is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.
Drink this: The rotating craft tap ($19-25). When to go: Tuesday for trivia and half-price pots.
2. Zara — 108 Separation Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-11pm Vibe: Wine-focused, small plates
The quiet achiever. Zara doesn’t have a PR budget or an Instagram strategy — it has regulars who come three times a week. The wine list is the draw. Their natural wine selection is surprisingly deep.
Best night: Wednesday trivia (free entry).
3. Stella Larder — 116 Separation Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Small, intimate, conversation-volume Drinks: $19-25
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 The Sunny Yard — 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 non-alcoholic cocktail list is genuinely creative, not an afterthought. If you hit capacity, put your name down and walk around the block — turnover is quick.
Drink this: A glass of the pet-nat ($19-25). Pro tip: Ask for the off-menu cocktail — they’ll make something custom.
4. Leo’s — 113 Clarke Street
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-1am Vibe: Neighbourhood corner pub, proper and unpretentious Drinks: $19-25
The one for when you want food with your drinks. The kitchen runs until 10pm and the sliders are genuinely good, not bar-food-as-afterthought. The loaded fries are the move.
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: The burger with their house lager — simple and perfect. When to come: Any weeknight for a quick meal and drink without the weekend crowd.
5. Cleo’s — 246 High Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-late Vibe: Candlelit basement, moody and intimate Drinks: $19-25
The vibe pick. Not the best drinks on this list, but the rooftop view 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 designed around the aesthetic — photogenic serves that actually taste good. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Sunny Yard | Overall best | $19-25 | Yes | Fri-Sat |
| Zara | Quiet drink | $19-25 | Yes | Sun sessions |
| Stella Larder | New & trendy | $19-25 | Snacks only | No |
| Leo’s | Food + drinks | $19-25 | Full menu | No |
| Cleo’s | Atmosphere | $19-25 | Limited | Acoustic sets |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. The Sunny Yard does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.
Getting there: Northcote/Croxton/Merri stations. 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. Cleo’s 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
- Thornbury Cocktail Bars
- Northcote Restaurants — eat before or after
- Northcote Things to Do
- All Northcote Guides
Last updated: March 2026
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Best Cocktail Bars in Northcote
Danté
Danté is the polished dinner-and-drinks choice, with a cocktail list that suits people who want classics, spritzes and something a little more produced with their meal. It works well for date nights, small groups and anyone who wants the bar experience without skipping proper food.
Zsa’s Bar & Bistroteca
Zsa’s is a smart pick for aperitivo hour, oysters, martinis and grazing plates before the evening turns into dinner service. The mood is relaxed but grown-up, making it useful for a first stop on High Street or a low-pressure catch-up.
Open Studio
Open Studio is the Northcote option for cocktails with live music, crepes and a more bohemian inner-north feel. Time Out notes it is known for “more than 40 cocktails” and live performance, which makes it a strong choice when you want the night to have a bit of movement: Time Out Melbourne.
Goodwater
Goodwater is best for whisky drinkers, late-night sippers and people who prefer a cosy bar over a loud room. Expect a backbar-led experience, neat pours, considered cocktails and the kind of service that helps if you know what mood you want but not what to order.
Kitty Somerset
Kitty Somerset suits a quieter cocktail run, especially if you want something intimate, warm and away from the biggest pub energy on High Street. It is the sort of place to settle into for one well-made drink that becomes two.
Local Tips
Northcote is best approached as a walking suburb, especially around High Street, where you can move between dinner, music and drinks without locking the whole night into one venue. Start earlier than you would in the CBD if you want bar seats, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings.
For a cocktail-first night, choose Danté or Goodwater. For cocktails plus atmosphere, Open Studio is stronger, especially when there is a gig on. For an aperitivo-style session before dinner, Zsa’s is one of the most useful options in the suburb.
Northcote’s best nights often work better as two-stop plans: one polished drink, then something louder or more casual. Check live music listings before heading to Open Studio, because the vibe can change a lot depending on the act. If you want conversation, avoid arriving right when a gig is peaking.
High Street venues can fill quickly after nearby dinner services finish, so booking is sensible where available. Walk-ins are still part of the area’s charm, but the best seats usually go early.
FAQ
What is the best cocktail bar in Northcote for a date?
Danté is the safest date-night pick because it combines cocktails, dinner and a polished room. Goodwater is better if you want something quieter and more drinks-focused.
Where should I go for cocktails and live music in Northcote?
Open Studio is the standout for that mix. It has the local, creative feel Northcote is known for, with cocktails, crepes and regular performances.
Is Northcote good for a quiet cocktail?
Yes, especially earlier in the evening or midweek. Try Goodwater, Kitty Somerset or Zsa’s before the late dinner crowd rolls in.
