Parkville’s cocktail bars scene is creative, walkable, authentic — 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. Common Local — 191 Johnston Crescent
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-1am Vibe: Moody, dim-lit, excellent playlist Drinks: $19-25
The cocktail bar the suburb rallies around. Common Local gets the fundamentals right — good drinks, comfortable room, staff who know the menu. The cocktail menu 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 ($19-25). When to go: Friday after 7pm for live music.
2. Golden Store — 334 Johnston Crescent
Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-11pm Vibe: Corner pub, proper carpets
The quiet achiever. Golden Store doesn’t have a PR budget or an Instagram strategy — it has regulars who come three times a week. The beer garden is the draw. The cheese board pairs perfectly with their wine by the glass.
Best night: Wednesday trivia (free entry).
3. Mabel Commons — 327 Spring Grove
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 spirits selection includes hard-to-find local gins. The space is tighter than Common Local — 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: The house old fashioned ($19-25). Pro tip: Tuesday is the quietest night and the bartender has more time to chat.
4. Lane — 144 Collins Place
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-late 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 — 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: Sunday afternoon — relaxed, the kitchen is unhurried, and there’s live music.
5. Long Table — 216 Johnston Crescent
Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-late Vibe: Laneway entrance, exposed brick, jazz on the stereo 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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Local | Overall best | $19-25 | Yes | Weekends |
| Golden Store | Quiet drink | $19-25 | Yes | No |
| Mabel Commons | New & trendy | $19-25 | Snacks only | No |
| Lane | Food + drinks | $19-25 | Full menu | Fri |
| Long Table | Atmosphere | $19-25 | Limited | Acoustic sets |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. Common Local does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.
Getting there: Public transport options in Parkville. 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. Long Table 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
- Fitzroy Cocktail Bars
- Parkville Restaurants — eat before or after
- Parkville Things to Do
- All Parkville Guides
Last updated: March 2026
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