Wantirna’s wine bars scene is affordable, diverse, developing — and the wine 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. Zara — 374 Brunswick Terrace
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-11pm Vibe: Industrial-chic, conversation-friendly Drinks: $13-22/glass
The wine bar the suburb rallies around. Zara gets the fundamentals right — good drinks, comfortable room, staff who know the menu. The tap list rotates monthly, which keeps regulars from getting bored. The back room is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.
Drink this: The house lager on tap ($13-22/glass). When to go: Thursday is the sweet spot — good crowd, no queue.
2. The Blue Post — 50 Henry Terrace
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Open-air, fairy lights, garden seats
The quiet achiever. The Blue Post 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: Friday DJs from 9pm.
3. Lucky Table — 210 Bridge Parade
Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Small, intimate, conversation-volume Drinks: $13-22/glass
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 Zara — 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 ($13-22/glass). Pro tip: Tuesday is the quietest night and the bartender has more time to chat.
4. Wagtail — 141 Lygon Avenue
Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-1am Vibe: Modern gastropub with craft focus Drinks: $13-22/glass
The one for when you want food with your drinks. The kitchen runs until 10pm and the pizza are genuinely good, not bar-food-as-afterthought. The charcuterie board feeds three.
The drinks list complements the food — an approachable wine list that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s the kind of place where you come for one beer and stay for dinner because you smell the kitchen.
Best combo: Share plates for two plus a bottle of wine, under $90. When to come: Any weeknight for a quick meal and drink without the weekend crowd.
5. Bright Standard — 254 High Drive
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-1am Vibe: Laneway entrance, exposed brick, jazz on the stereo Drinks: $13-22/glass
The vibe pick. Not the best drinks on this list, but the laneway entrance 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
| Venue | Best For | Drink Price | Kitchen | Live Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zara | Overall best | $13-22/glass | Yes | Fri-Sat |
| The Blue Post | Quiet drink | $13-22/glass | Yes | Occasionally |
| Lucky Table | New & trendy | $13-22/glass | Snacks only | No |
| Wagtail | Food + drinks | $13-22/glass | Full menu | No |
| Bright Standard | Atmosphere | $13-22/glass | Limited | No |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. Zara does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.
Getting there: Public transport options in Wantirna. 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. Bright Standard 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 Wine Bars
- Wantirna Restaurants — eat before or after
- Wantirna Things to Do
- All Wantirna Guides
Last updated: March 2026
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