Best Pubs in Vermont South — 2026 Guide

Vermont South’s pubs scene is suburban, welcoming, family-oriented — 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. Leo Kitchen — 130 Blake Street

Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Moody, dim-lit, excellent playlist Drinks: $11-13

The pub the suburb rallies around. Leo Kitchen 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 front bar is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.

Drink this: The rotating craft tap ($11-13). When to go: Friday after 7pm for live music.

2. Southern Quarter — 280 Rowan Street

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

The quiet achiever. Southern Quarter 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: Saturday arvo in the beer garden.

3. Depot — 44 Blake Street

Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Small, intimate, conversation-volume Drinks: $11-13

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 Leo Kitchen — 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 ($11-13). Pro tip: The back corner booth is the best seat.

4. Rosa Social — 15 High Terrace

Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-1am Vibe: Neighbourhood corner pub, proper and unpretentious Drinks: $11-13

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

The drinks list complements the food — a cocktail list designed around the kitchen’s flavours. 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. Luna’s — 276 High Terrace

Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-1am Vibe: Laneway entrance, exposed brick, jazz on the stereo Drinks: $11-13

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 a small snack menu — olives, cheese, bread but you’re not here for the food.

Best for: Sunset drinks on warmer evenings — arrive by 6pm for the golden hour.

Comparison

Practical Info

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

Getting there: Public transport options in Vermont South. 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. Luna’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
• Vermont South Restaurants — eat before or after
• Vermont South Things to Do
• All Vermont South Guides

Last updated: March 2026

Keep Exploring

More in this area:

• Best Bars in Vermont South
• Nightlife Guide in Vermont South

Useful tools:

• Melbourne Nightlife Guide
• Melbourne Coffee Price Tracker
• Explore Vermont South