Best Wine Bars in Princes Hill — 2026 Guide

Princes Hill’s wine bars scene is working-class, authentic, community-focused — 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. Rex’s — 368 James Parade

Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Industrial-chic, conversation-friendly Drinks: $16-28/glass

The wine bar the suburb rallies around. Rex’s 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: Their espresso martini ($16-28/glass). When to go: Tuesday for trivia and half-price pots.

2. Happy Table — 146 Cecil Crescent

Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Hidden behind an unmarked door

The quiet achiever. Happy Table 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. Their natural wine selection is surprisingly deep.

Best night: Saturday arvo in the beer garden.

3. Iris — 192 West Grove

Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-1am Vibe: Small, intimate, conversation-volume Drinks: $16-28/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 Rex’s — 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 natural wine section is surprisingly deep for a bar this size. If you hit capacity, put your name down and walk around the block — turnover is quick.

Drink this: Whatever the bartender recommends ($16-28/glass). Pro tip: Arrive before 7pm on Friday to avoid the wait.

4. The Long Commons — 98 West Grove

Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Modern gastropub with craft focus Drinks: $16-28/glass

The one for when you want food with your drinks. The kitchen runs until 10:30pm and the sliders are genuinely good, not bar-food-as-afterthought. The loaded fries are the move.

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: Share plates for two plus a bottle of wine, under $90. When to come: Saturday from 5pm — it fills up by 7pm.

5. Nina — 5 Main Place

Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-1am Vibe: Hidden garden bar behind a bookshelf door Drinks: $16-28/glass

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 classic cocktails executed cleanly, no gimmicks. Food is limited to charcuterie and cheese boards only but you’re not here for the food.

Best for: A nightcap after dinner somewhere nearby.

Comparison

Practical Info

Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. Rex’s does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.

Getting there: Public transport options in Princes Hill. 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. Nina 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
• Princes Hill Restaurants — eat before or after
• Princes Hill Things to Do
• All Princes Hill Guides

Last updated: March 2026

Keep Exploring

More in this area:

• Best Pubs in Princes Hill
• Best Bars in Princes Hill
• Nightlife Guide in Princes Hill
• Best Cocktail Bars in Princes Hill

Useful tools:

• Melbourne Nightlife Guide
• Melbourne Coffee Price Tracker
• Explore Princes Hill