Nunawading’s cocktail bars scene is residential, friendly, growing — 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 $11-13, cocktail $17-23. Happy hour (usually 5-7pm) knocks $3-5 off at most places.
Our Top Picks
1. Standard — 270 Mary Grove
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Warm, busy, neighbourhood local Drinks: $17-23
The cocktail bar the suburb rallies around. Standard 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 rotating craft tap ($17-23). When to go: Tuesday for trivia and half-price pots.
2. Iris Bench — 183 Johnston Road
Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Open-air, fairy lights, garden seats
The quiet achiever. Iris Bench 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. The cocktails are made with house-infused spirits.
Best night: Wednesday trivia (free entry).
3. Iris’s — 74 Murray Crescent
Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Small, intimate, conversation-volume Drinks: $17-23
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 Standard — 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 ($17-23). Pro tip: Arrive before 7pm on Friday to avoid the wait.
4. The Lucky Yard — 9 Murray Crescent
Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-1am Vibe: Sports screens plus decent food — the rare combo Drinks: $17-23
The one for when you want food with your drinks. The kitchen runs until 10:30pm 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. Depot — 259 Johnston Road
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Candlelit basement, moody and intimate Drinks: $17-23
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: First dates, anniversary drinks, or impressing out-of-town visitors.
Comparison
| Venue | Best For | Drink Price | Kitchen | Live Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Overall best | $17-23 | Yes | No |
| Iris Bench | Quiet drink | $17-23 | Yes | Sun sessions |
| Iris’s | New & trendy | $17-23 | Snacks only | No |
| The Lucky Yard | Food + drinks | $17-23 | Full menu | No |
| Depot | Atmosphere | $17-23 | Limited | Acoustic sets |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. Standard does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.
Getting there: Public transport options in Nunawading. 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. 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
- Box Hill Cocktail Bars
- Nunawading Restaurants — eat before or after
- Nunawading Things to Do
- All Nunawading Guides
Last updated: March 2026
Keep Exploring
More in this area:
- Best Pubs in Nunawading
- Best Bars in Nunawading
- Nightlife Guide in Nunawading
- Best Wine Bars in Nunawading
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