Truganina’s cocktail bars scene is unpretentious, multicultural, value-driven — and the cocktail 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. Rex House — 142 Margaret Drive
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-1am Vibe: Warm, busy, neighbourhood local Drinks: $15-20
The cocktail bar the suburb rallies around. Rex House 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 courtyard is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.
Drink this: The house lager on tap ($15-20). When to go: Any weeknight for a quiet drink.
2. The High Depot — 80 Oak Lane
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-late Vibe: Hidden behind an unmarked door
The quiet achiever. The High Depot 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 parma is legitimately one of the best in the area.
Best night: Sunday sessions with live jazz.
3. The Lucky Cellar — 211 Oak Lane
Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Small, intimate, conversation-volume Drinks: $15-20
Opened in 2025 and immediately became a regular spot for the under-35 crowd. The spirits selection includes hard-to-find local gins. The space is tighter than Rex House — 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: Their signature sour ($15-20). Pro tip: The back corner booth is the best seat.
4. The Little Kitchen — 133 Margaret Drive
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-late Vibe: Pub grub elevated, beer garden out back Drinks: $15-20
The one for when you want food with your drinks. The kitchen runs until 9:30pm and the burgers are genuinely good, not bar-food-as-afterthought. The loaded fries are the move.
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: Any weeknight for a quick meal and drink without the weekend crowd.
5. The Old Bench — 45 Glenferrie Road
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-late Vibe: Hidden garden bar behind a bookshelf door Drinks: $15-20
The vibe pick. Not the best drinks on this list, but the rooftop view 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: Sunset drinks on warmer evenings — arrive by 6pm for the golden hour.
Comparison
| Venue | Best For | Drink Price | Kitchen | Live Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rex House | Overall best | $15-20 | Yes | Fri-Sat |
| The High Depot | Quiet drink | $15-20 | Yes | Occasionally |
| The Lucky Cellar | New & trendy | $15-20 | Snacks only | No |
| The Little Kitchen | Food + drinks | $15-20 | Full menu | Yes |
| The Old Bench | Atmosphere | $15-20 | Limited | DJs Sat |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. Rex House does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.
Getting there: Public transport options in Truganina. 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. The Old Bench 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
- Altona Cocktail Bars
- Truganina Restaurants — eat before or after
- Truganina Things to Do
- All Truganina Guides
Last updated: March 2026
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