Correction (9 October 2026): an earlier version of this page listed places and details we could not stand behind. It has been rewritten from scratch: every place below was confirmed at two independent sources on 5 October 2026, and every price was copied from the page it was published on.
Six bars and wine bars for drinks before or instead of dinner: two in St Kilda, two in Prahran and two in Windsor. Each entry says which stage it suits and why, using only what the venue publishes, such as listed live music, a quiet-drink line or a happy hour.
We checked every place against two independent sources. We do not call any bar romantic as a fact. Instead each entry names the feature that suits a first, third or anniversary drink, notes accessibility only where a venue publishes it, and gives a Plan B for when the first choice is closed or the weather turns.
The quick picks
| If you’re after | Head to | Order this | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rooftop happy hour drinks | Ellora | Cosmopolitans, Espresso Martinis & Aperol Spritz (happy hour Thursday TO Sunday 4pm - 6pm) | $15 |
| Cocktails and conversation | Lady Peacock Cocktail Lounge | see below | not printed here |
| Quiet weekday cocktails | Three Monkeys Bar | Espresso Martini | $20 |
| Late drinks, first date friendly | Holy Grail | see below | not printed here |
| Neighbourhood wine bar | Ruelle Wine Bar | see below | not printed here |
| Day cafe, night wine bar | OPPEN Cafe & Wine Bar | see below | not printed here |
Ellora — 1 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda VIC 3182
Ellora’s site lists the rooftop bar open Thursday and Friday from 4pm until late and Saturday and Sunday from 12:30pm until late, closed Monday to Wednesday. It also lists stunning ocean sunset views and live acoustic performances. Ellora’s happy hour page prints Cosmopolitans, Espresso Martinis and Aperol Spritz at $15, and pints of Ellora Draught at $10, Thursday to Sunday 4pm to 6pm. We could not find a published accessibility note. Plan B: Lady Peacock Cocktail Lounge is also on Fitzroy Street.
On the menu (copied from ellora.com.au/happy-hour and ellora.com.au/menus on 5 October 2026):
- Cosmopolitans, Espresso Martinis & Aperol Spritz (happy hour Thursday TO Sunday 4pm - 6pm): $15
- Pints of Ellora Draught (happy hour Thursday TO Sunday 4pm - 6pm): $10
- Warm marinated mixed olives: $11
- Vegetarian Fries: $11
Talk-ability: Its site lists live acoustic performances, which by this page’s rule of thumb means a little louder than a wine bar.
Lady Peacock Cocktail Lounge — 19 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda VIC 3182
Lady Peacock Cocktail Lounge’s site lists Thursday to Sunday from 4pm to 12am and closes Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and public holidays. It describes cocktails, Champagne and the art of conversation, which makes it a talk-first stop. The site also notes a penalty for missed reservations, so cancel early if plans change. We found no prices to print and no accessibility note. Plan B: Ellora is also on Fitzroy Street.
Exit plan: It lists closing at 12am Thursday to Sunday, so decide on a final drink or a walk home before the last round.
Three Monkeys Bar — 210 Chapel Street, Prahran VIC 3181
Three Monkeys Bar’s homepage lists Wednesday and Thursday from 6:00pm to 1:00am, Friday from 4:00pm to 1:00am, Saturday from 12:00pm to 1:00am and Sunday from 2pm to 11pm, closed Monday and Tuesday. It says that during the week it is a cosy bar where you can enjoy a quiet drink and conversation. Three Monkeys Bar’s menu prints Espresso Martini at $20, Aperol Spritz at $15 and Negroni at $20. Happy Hour is listed Wednesday and Thursday 6pm to 8pm and Friday and Saturday 2pm to 8pm. Plan B: Holy Grail is also on Chapel Street.
On the menu (copied from threemonkeyschapelst.com.au/menus on 5 October 2026):
- Espresso Martini: $20
- Aperol Spritz: $15
- Negroni: $20
Split or splurge: The Aperol Spritz at $15 is the lighter line on its menu, with the Espresso Martini and Negroni both at $20.
Holy Grail — 67 Chapel Street, Windsor VIC 3181
Holy Grail is on Chapel Street in Windsor, and its group’s venue page lists Monday to Sunday, 3pm to 1am. That page mentions knock on’s or knock off’s, and even a first date. We found no prices to print and no accessibility note. As a first-stage pick it earns its place on the same long hours every day rather than anything on a menu. Plan B: Three Monkeys Bar is also on Chapel Street.
Say this: ‘Drink on Chapel Street first, then we decide about dinner?’
Ruelle Wine Bar — 30 Chatham Street, Prahran VIC 3181
Ruelle Wine Bar’s site calls it a neighbourhood wine bar for all occasions, and a cosy, unpretentious spot where good wine and great company meet. It lists Thursday from 4pm to 10pm and Friday and Saturday from 4pm until late, closed Sunday to Wednesday. We found no prices to print and no accessibility note. Plan B: OPPEN Cafe & Wine Bar in Windsor is also a wine bar on Thursday to Saturday.
Talk-ability: Its own description leans on good wine and great company, and it lists no live music.
OPPEN Cafe & Wine Bar — 20/2 Maddock Street, Windsor VIC 3181
OPPEN Cafe & Wine Bar’s site lists the cafe Monday to Friday 7 am to 2:30 pm, Saturday 7:30 am to 2:30 pm and Sunday 8 am to 2:30 pm, and the wine bar Thursday to Saturday 5 to 10 pm, with the kitchen closing at 9pm. AGFG tags it Romantic and Pet Friendly, which is listing data rather than the venue’s own claim. We found no prices to print and no accessibility note. Plan B: when the wine bar is closed, the daytime cafe is the other way to meet.
Stage: A daytime coffee for a low-stakes first meet, or the wine bar on a Thursday to Saturday evening once you know each other better.
Quick answers
Which bars near St Kilda are open on a Monday?
Holy Grail’s group page lists Monday to Sunday, 3pm to 1am. Ellora lists Monday to Wednesday as closed, and Lady Peacock Cocktail Lounge closes Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. OPPEN Cafe & Wine Bar’s cafe lists Monday to Friday from 7 am, though its wine bar is Thursday to Saturday.
Where is happy hour near St Kilda?
Ellora lists a happy hour Thursday to Sunday, 4pm to 6pm, with Cosmopolitans, Espresso Martinis and Aperol Spritz at $15 and pints of Ellora Draught at $10. Three Monkeys Bar lists Happy Hour Wednesday and Thursday 6pm to 8pm and Friday and Saturday 2pm to 8pm. We did not find happy hour times or prices on Holy Grail’s group page.
Is there a quiet bar in Prahran for conversation?
Three Monkeys Bar in Prahran says that during the week it is a cosy bar for a quiet drink and conversation. Ruelle Wine Bar in Prahran calls itself a cosy, unpretentious neighbourhood spot where good wine and great company meet, and lists Thursday to Saturday only.
Where can you go for a first-date drink before dinner near St Kilda?
Holy Grail’s group page mentions a first date and lists Monday to Sunday afternoons into the night. Lady Peacock Cocktail Lounge describes cocktails, Champagne and the art of conversation, and Ruelle Wine Bar calls itself a neighbourhood wine bar for all occasions. Check each venue’s listed days first, because Lady Peacock and Ruelle are open only part of the week.
How we checked
We checked every place on this page against at least two independent sources on 5 October 2026: OpenStreetMap, the places’ own websites and the Australian Good Food Guide. Every price is copied exactly as printed on the page linked under Sources, on 5 October 2026. Menus, prices and opening hours change, so check with the venue before you go. The cover photo is illustrative, from Unsplash, and does not show any place on this page.
Seen something out of date? Email [email protected] with the page link and what has changed, and we will check it again.
Sources
- Ellora: openstreetmap.org/577498558, ellora.com.au, agfg.com.au/ellora-79951, ellora.com.au/happy-hour, ellora.com.au/menus, ellora.com.au/live-music
- Lady Peacock Cocktail Lounge: openstreetmap.org/13800438830, ladypeacock.com.au
- Three Monkeys Bar: openstreetmap.org/6382955585, threemonkeyschapelst.com.au, agfg.com.au/three-monkeys-bar-97560, threemonkeyschapelst.com.au/menus
- Holy Grail: openstreetmap.org/13706433601, gcbg.com.au/holy-grail
- Ruelle Wine Bar: ruellewinebar.com.au, agfg.com.au/ruelle-wine-bar-97153, ruellewinebar.com.au/bookings
- OPPEN Cafe & Wine Bar: openstreetmap.org/9842745517, oppen.com.au, agfg.com.au/oppen-72839
