Best Pubs in Surrey Hills — 2026 Guide

Surrey Hills’s pubs scene is refined, quiet, prestigious — and the pubs 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. Old Corner — 242 Elm Drive

Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-late Vibe: Rooftop terrace, sunset views Drinks: $13-15

The pub the suburb rallies around. Old Corner gets the fundamentals right — good drinks, comfortable room, staff who know the menu. The wine list rotates monthly, which keeps regulars from getting bored. The front bar is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.

Drink this: Their signature negroni ($13-15). When to go: Any weeknight for a quiet drink.

2. Zara’s — 337 Rowan Street

Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Corner pub, proper carpets

The quiet achiever. Zara’s doesn’t have a PR budget or an Instagram strategy — it has regulars who come three times a week. The wine list is the draw. Their natural wine selection is surprisingly deep.

Best night: Saturday arvo in the beer garden.

3. Sol — 97 Cecil Place

Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Big, loud, dancing on weekends Drinks: $13-15

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 Old Corner — 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 tap list rotates every two weeks with a Victorian-only policy. If you hit capacity, put your name down and walk around the block — turnover is quick.

Drink this: A glass of the pet-nat ($13-15). Pro tip: Tuesday is the quietest night and the bartender has more time to chat.

4. Ivy’s — 175 Rowan Street

Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-late Vibe: Pub grub elevated, beer garden out back Drinks: $13-15

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 — 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: Parma and a pint — the Melbourne classic, done properly. When to come: Saturday from 5pm — it fills up by 7pm.

5. Lena House — 104 Blake Road

Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-1am Vibe: Hidden garden bar behind a bookshelf door Drinks: $13-15

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 classic cocktails executed cleanly, no gimmicks. Food is limited to a small snack menu — olives, cheese, bread 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. Old Corner does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.

Getting there: Public transport options in Surrey Hills. 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. Lena House 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

• Richmond Pubs
• Surrey Hills Restaurants — eat before or after
• Surrey Hills Things to Do
• All Surrey Hills Guides

Last updated: March 2026

Keep Exploring

More in this area:

• Best Bars in Surrey Hills
• Nightlife Guide in Surrey Hills

Useful tools:

• Melbourne Nightlife Guide
• Melbourne Rent Comparison Tool
• Explore Surrey Hills