Northcote’s wine bars scene is inner-north creative hub, established foodie strip — 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 $12-14, cocktail $19-25. Happy hour (usually 5-7pm) knocks $3-5 off at most places.
Our Top Picks
1. Happy Pantry — 71 Clarke Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Rooftop terrace, sunset views Drinks: $14-28/glass
The wine bar the suburb rallies around. Happy Pantry 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 back room is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.
Drink this: The rotating craft tap ($14-28/glass). When to go: Any weeknight for a quiet drink.
2. Lane — 105 Mitchell Street
Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Corner pub, proper carpets
The quiet achiever. Lane 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. Their natural wine selection is surprisingly deep.
Best night: Wednesday trivia (free entry).
3. Anchor — 327 Mitchell Street
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-late Vibe: Outdoor courtyard, heat lamps in winter Drinks: $14-28/glass
Opened in 2025 and immediately became a regular spot for the under-35 crowd. The cocktail list references classic recipes with local twists. The space is tighter than Happy Pantry — 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: Their signature sour ($14-28/glass). Pro tip: The back corner booth is the best seat.
4. Finn’s — 245 Mitchell Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Neighbourhood corner pub, proper and unpretentious Drinks: $14-28/glass
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 steak sandwich is the sleeper hit.
The drinks list complements the food — local pale ales and lagers that pair with the menu. 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: Saturday from 5pm — it fills up by 7pm.
5. Ada’s — 42 Clarke Street
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Laneway entrance, exposed brick, jazz on the stereo Drinks: $14-28/glass
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 designed around the aesthetic — photogenic serves that actually taste good. Food is limited to a small snack menu — olives, cheese, bread but you’re not here for the food.
Best for: Small group celebrations — book the corner section.
Comparison
| Venue | Best For | Drink Price | Kitchen | Live Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Happy Pantry | Overall best | $14-28/glass | Yes | No |
| Lane | Quiet drink | $14-28/glass | Yes | Occasionally |
| Anchor | New & trendy | $14-28/glass | Snacks only | No |
| Finn’s | Food + drinks | $14-28/glass | Full menu | No |
| Ada’s | Atmosphere | $14-28/glass | Limited | DJs Sat |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. Happy Pantry 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. Ada’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 Wine Bars
- Northcote Restaurants — eat before or after
- Northcote Things to Do
- All Northcote Guides
Last updated: March 2026
Keep Exploring
More in this area:
- Best Pubs in Northcote
- Best Bars in Northcote
- Nightlife Guide in Northcote
- Best Cocktail Bars in Northcote
Nearby suburbs:
Useful tools:
Where to Drink
Oh Loretta!
Oh Loretta! is the easy pick for a relaxed Northcote wine-bar night: warm room, friendly energy, and a list that leans into interesting local producers rather than trophy bottles. Come for a glass and snack, but stay if the seasonal, produce-led menu starts making a stronger case than your dinner plans.
Zsa’s Bar & Bistroteca
Zsa’s works well when you want the wine-bar mood with proper bistro substance behind it. The aperitivo window is especially useful for oysters, snacks, spritzes and by-the-glass pours before High Street gets fully busy.
Bar Nonno
Bar Nonno brings a traditional Italian wine-bar feel to Northcote, with biodynamic and organic wines playing alongside simple, generous food. It suits a slower evening: a table, a bottle, shared plates and enough warmth in the room to make a midweek drink feel like an occasion.
High Note
High Note is Northcote’s wine-bar-meets-music option, tucked into the suburb’s creative nightlife rhythm. Expect lo-fi wines, DJs and a darker, more atmospheric feel than the classic sit-down bistro bars on the strip.
Estelle Wine Bar
Estelle is the polished choice when you want a sharp wine list without leaving Northcote’s main dining corridor. The wine bar side is a good fit for a pre-dinner glass, a compact date night, or a more refined stop before moving on elsewhere.
Local Tips
Northcote wine bars reward a loose plan. High Street and the Westgarth end both have enough options that you can start with one glass, then decide whether the night wants snacks, dinner, music or a quieter second stop.
Book ahead for Friday and Saturday dinner times, especially at venues that blur the line between wine bar and restaurant. For a more relaxed experience, aim for early evening aperitivo hours, Sunday afternoons, or a Wednesday or Thursday when locals are out but the room is less compressed.
Natural, minimal-intervention, biodynamic and organic wines are common around Northcote, so ask staff for a steer if you do not recognise half the list. The best approach is to describe texture and mood: crisp and salty, light red and chillable, richer white, savoury orange, or something clean but not boring.
If you are choosing between venues, match the bar to the night. Oh Loretta! is sociable and casual, Zsa’s is great for aperitivo and bistro grazing, Bar Nonno is warm and Italian-leaning, High Note adds music and late-night energy, and Estelle is the more composed dining-adjacent pick.
Broadsheet’s Northcote guide also highlights the suburb’s mix of wine bars, music venues and dining rooms, including Oh Loretta!, High Note and Estelle, which reflects how tightly Northcote’s drinking scene is tied to its food and creative culture. Source: Broadsheet Northcote guide.
FAQ
What is the best wine bar in Northcote for a date?
For a relaxed date, choose Oh Loretta! or Bar Nonno; both feel warm without being too formal. For something more polished, Estelle Wine Bar is the better fit, especially if you want the option to turn drinks into dinner.
Where should I go for wine and snacks in Northcote?
Zsa’s is a strong choice for wine with oysters, cheese, antipasto and small plates, particularly during aperitivo hours. Oh Loretta! is also good when you want a casual glass with seasonal food that feels more thoughtful than standard bar snacks.
Are Northcote wine bars good for groups?
Yes, but choose carefully and book when possible. Bar Nonno and Oh Loretta! suit small groups, while High Note is better when the group wants music and atmosphere rather than a quiet, conversation-heavy wine tasting.
