Best Wine Bars in Research — 2026 Guide

Research’s wine bars scene is affordable, diverse, developing — 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. Ava’s — 294 William Terrace

Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-late Vibe: Industrial-chic, conversation-friendly Drinks: $12-25/glass

The wine bar the suburb rallies around. Ava’s 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 ($12-25/glass). When to go: Thursday is the sweet spot — good crowd, no queue.

2. River — 376 West Avenue

Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-late Vibe: Hidden behind an unmarked door

The quiet achiever. River doesn’t have a PR budget or an Instagram strategy — it has regulars who come three times a week. The snack menu is the draw. The cheese board pairs perfectly with their wine by the glass.

Best night: Saturday arvo in the beer garden.

3. Gus’s — 278 Chapel Drive

Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Cozy wine den, candlelit Drinks: $12-25/glass

Opened in 2025 and immediately became a regular spot for the under-35 crowd. The wine list focuses on small Australian producers. The space is tighter than Ava’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 house negroni uses a local amaro. If you hit capacity, put your name down and walk around the block — turnover is quick.

Drink this: A glass of the pet-nat ($12-25/glass). Pro tip: The back corner booth is the best seat.

4. Bench — 3 William Terrace

Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Modern gastropub with craft focus Drinks: $12-25/glass

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 steak sandwich is the sleeper hit.

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 burger with their house lager — simple and perfect. When to come: Thursday for the midweek special.

5. Leo Press — 286 William Terrace

Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-11pm Vibe: Laneway entrance, exposed brick, jazz on the stereo Drinks: $12-25/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 short but curated — they do six cocktails and all of them are solid. 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. Ava’s does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.

Getting there: Public transport options in Research. 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. Leo Press 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
• Research Restaurants — eat before or after
• Research Things to Do
• All Research Guides

Last updated: March 2026

Keep Exploring

More in this area:

• Best Pubs in Research
• Best Bars in Research
• Nightlife Guide in Research
• Best Cocktail Bars in Research

Useful tools:

• Melbourne Nightlife Guide
• Find Your Perfect Melbourne Suburb
• Explore Research