Richmond’s wine bars scene is diverse, sporty, food-obsessed — 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 $13-15, cocktail $22-28. Happy hour (usually 5-7pm) knocks $3-5 off at most places.
Our Top Picks
1. Stella’s — 53 Victoria Street
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Rooftop terrace, sunset views Drinks: $14-25/glass
The wine bar the suburb rallies around. Stella’s 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 ($14-25/glass). When to go: Tuesday for trivia and half-price pots.
2. White Bench — 87 Victoria Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-1am Vibe: Open-air, fairy lights, garden seats
The quiet achiever. White Bench 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 cocktails are made with house-infused spirits.
Best night: Saturday arvo in the beer garden.
3. Little Works — 74 Swan Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Small, intimate, conversation-volume Drinks: $14-25/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 Stella’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 ($14-25/glass). Pro tip: Ask for the off-menu cocktail — they’ll make something custom.
4. Nell’s — 141 Victoria Street
Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Sports screens plus decent food — the rare combo Drinks: $14-25/glass
The one for when you want food with your drinks. The kitchen runs until 9:30pm and the share plates are genuinely good, not bar-food-as-afterthought. The charcuterie board feeds three.
The drinks list complements the food — an approachable wine list that doesn’t take itself too seriously. 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: Thursday for the midweek special.
5. Happy Place — 196 Church Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Rooftop terrace with city views Drinks: $14-25/glass
The vibe pick. Not the best drinks on this list, but the garden setting 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 bar snacks and a single dessert option but you’re not here for the food.
Best for: A nightcap after dinner somewhere nearby.
Comparison
| Venue | Best For | Drink Price | Kitchen | Live Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stella’s | Overall best | $14-25/glass | Yes | Fri-Sat |
| White Bench | Quiet drink | $14-25/glass | Yes | No |
| Little Works | New & trendy | $14-25/glass | Snacks only | No |
| Nell’s | Food + drinks | $14-25/glass | Full menu | Fri |
| Happy Place | Atmosphere | $14-25/glass | Limited | DJs Sat |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. Stella’s does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.
Getting there: Richmond station, trams on Bridge/Swan/Victoria. 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. Happy Place 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
- Cremorne Wine Bars
- Richmond Restaurants — eat before or after
- Richmond Things to Do
- All Richmond Guides
Last updated: March 2026
Keep Exploring
More in this area:
Nearby suburbs:
Useful tools:
Venue Picks
Clover
Clover is the polished choice for a proper wine-bar dinner in Richmond, with a strong list, confident service and food built around fire. It suits date nights, small groups and anyone who wants the wine to be as considered as the cooking.
Attria
Attria leans modern and lively, making it a strong Swan Street option when you want wine with a full food menu rather than just snacks. It works well for Friday nights, late catch-ups and pre- or post-event drinks near Richmond’s busiest strip.
Waygood
Waygood is a neighbourhood-style wine bar and eatery with a bottle-shop sensibility, so it is useful whether you are staying in or taking something home. Expect an easygoing room, flexible dining and a list that feels approachable without being boring.
Our Terroir
Our Terroir is a wine bar and store, which makes it ideal for drinkers who like browsing bottles as much as ordering by the glass. It is a good pick for curious wine drinkers who want staff guidance, small producers and a less predictable selection.
Atlas Vinifera
Atlas Vinifera is a compact wine bar and bottle shop that suits quieter nights, quick pours and takeaway bottles. It is especially handy if your version of a Richmond night is more “one excellent glass” than a long, noisy session.
Local Tips
Richmond is split by mood as much as geography. Swan Street is the most useful starting point for a louder night, especially around footy, gigs and weekend crowds, while Church Street and the side streets tend to feel better for a slower glass and conversation.
Book ahead for Clover and Attria if you are planning dinner, not just drinks. Richmond venues can look casual from the outside, but the best seats disappear quickly from Thursday to Saturday.
Match the bar to the night. For a food-first evening, choose Clover or Attria; for browsing and bottle advice, try Our Terroir or Atlas Vinifera; for a flexible local catch-up, Waygood is one of the easier all-rounders.
If there is a match at the MCG or a major event nearby, build in extra time. Richmond’s wine bars are not all sports bars, but the suburb’s transport, footpaths and dining rooms still feel the surge.
Do not overlook midweek. Richmond wine bars are often at their best from Tuesday to Thursday, when staff have more time to talk through the list and you are less likely to be squeezed between big groups.
For broader Richmond dining and bar context, Broadsheet’s Richmond guide notes Clover as a wine bar with an “excellent wine list” spanning Australia and Europe: Broadsheet Richmond.
FAQ
What is the best wine bar in Richmond for dinner?
Clover is the strongest choice if dinner matters as much as the wine. Attria is also a good option when you want a livelier setting with a substantial food menu.
Where should I go for a quiet glass of wine in Richmond?
Atlas Vinifera and Our Terroir are better bets for a calmer, wine-focused visit. Go earlier in the evening if you want the most relaxed experience.
Are Richmond wine bars good for groups?
Yes, but book ahead and choose the venue carefully. Waygood and Attria tend to suit casual groups, while Clover is better for smaller bookings where food and wine are the focus.
