Best Pubs in Templestowe — 2026 Guide

Templestowe’s pubs scene is down-to-earth, multicultural, accessible — 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 $11-13, cocktail $17-23. Happy hour (usually 5-7pm) knocks $3-5 off at most places.

Our Top Picks

1. The New Store — 204 Sydney Parade

Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-1am Vibe: Warm, busy, neighbourhood local Drinks: $11-13

The pub the suburb rallies around. The New Store 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 upstairs level is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.

Drink this: Their espresso martini ($11-13). When to go: Friday after 7pm for live music.

2. Wagtail — 355 Mary Road

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

The quiet achiever. Wagtail doesn’t have a PR budget or an Instagram strategy — it has regulars who come three times a week. The front bar is the draw. The parma is legitimately one of the best in the area.

Best night: Friday DJs from 9pm.

3. High Post — 14 Henry Lane

Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-1am Vibe: Big, loud, dancing on weekends Drinks: $11-13

Opened in 2025 and immediately became a regular spot for the under-35 crowd. The tap list leans towards Victorian craft breweries. The space is tighter than The New Store — 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: A glass of the pet-nat ($11-13). Pro tip: Tuesday is the quietest night and the bartender has more time to chat.

4. Happy Place — 164 Mary Road

Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-1am Vibe: Modern gastropub with craft focus Drinks: $11-13

The one for when you want food with your drinks. The kitchen runs until 10:30pm and the burgers are genuinely good, not bar-food-as-afterthought. The steak sandwich is the sleeper hit.

The drinks list complements the food — craft beers on rotation with consistent quality. 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. Otto’s — 63 Nicholson Road

Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-late Vibe: Candlelit basement, moody and intimate Drinks: $11-13

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 heavier on wine and bubbles than beer. Food is limited to a small snack menu — olives, cheese, bread but you’re not here for the food.

Best for: First dates, anniversary drinks, or impressing out-of-town visitors.

Comparison

Practical Info

Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. The New Store does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.

Getting there: Public transport options in Templestowe. 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. Otto’s 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

• Box Hill Pubs
• Templestowe Restaurants — eat before or after
• Templestowe Things to Do
• All Templestowe Guides

Last updated: March 2026

Keep Exploring

More in this area:

• Best Bars in Templestowe
• Nightlife Guide in Templestowe

Useful tools:

• Melbourne Nightlife Guide
• Melbourne Coffee Price Tracker
• Explore Templestowe