Wantirna South’s cocktail bars scene is affordable, diverse, developing — 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. Wide Place — 343 Church Crescent
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-1am Vibe: Moody, dim-lit, excellent playlist Drinks: $15-20
The cocktail bar the suburb rallies around. Wide Place gets the fundamentals right — good drinks, comfortable room, staff who know the menu. The cocktail menu rotates monthly, which keeps regulars from getting bored. The back room is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.
Drink this: Their espresso martini ($15-20). When to go: Friday after 7pm for live music.
2. The Long Kitchen — 116 Church Crescent
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Corner pub, proper carpets
The quiet achiever. The Long Kitchen 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 cocktails are made with house-infused spirits.
Best night: Wednesday trivia (free entry).
3. The Old Table — 27 Church Crescent
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Big, loud, dancing on weekends Drinks: $15-20
Opened in 2025 and immediately became a regular spot for the under-35 crowd. The cocktail list references classic recipes with local twists. The space is tighter than Wide Place — 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 ($15-20). Pro tip: Ask for the off-menu cocktail — they’ll make something custom.
4. Zara Post — 237 Victoria Lane
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-11pm Vibe: Sports screens plus decent food — the rare combo Drinks: $15-20
The one for when you want food with your drinks. The kitchen runs until 10:30pm and the sliders are genuinely good, not bar-food-as-afterthought. The charcuterie board feeds three.
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: Any weeknight for a quick meal and drink without the weekend crowd.
5. Atlas — 297 Victoria Lane
Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Laneway entrance, exposed brick, jazz on the stereo Drinks: $15-20
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 designed around the aesthetic — photogenic serves that actually taste good. Food is limited to bar snacks and a single dessert option 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide Place | Overall best | $15-20 | Yes | Fri-Sat |
| The Long Kitchen | Quiet drink | $15-20 | Yes | No |
| The Old Table | New & trendy | $15-20 | Snacks only | No |
| Zara Post | Food + drinks | $15-20 | Full menu | Fri |
| Atlas | Atmosphere | $15-20 | Limited | Acoustic sets |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. Wide Place does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.
Getting there: Public transport options in Wantirna 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. Atlas 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
- Melbourne CBD Cocktail Bars
- Wantirna South Restaurants — eat before or after
- Wantirna South Things to Do
- All Wantirna South Guides
Last updated: March 2026
Keep Exploring
More in this area:
- Best Pubs in Wantirna South
- Best Bars in Wantirna South
- Nightlife Guide in Wantirna South
- Best Wine Bars in Wantirna South
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