West Footscray’s wine bars scene is creative, walkable, authentic — 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 $12-14, cocktail $19-25. Happy hour (usually 5-7pm) knocks $3-5 off at most places.
Our Top Picks
1. Nina’s — 163 East Street
Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-11pm Vibe: Moody, dim-lit, excellent playlist Drinks: $14-22/glass
The wine bar the suburb rallies around. Nina’s 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 ($14-22/glass). When to go: Friday after 7pm for live music.
2. Atlas’s — 96 Nicholson Lane
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Corner pub, proper carpets
The quiet achiever. Atlas’s 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. Southern Place — 277 Oak Drive
Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-late Vibe: Small, intimate, conversation-volume Drinks: $14-22/glass
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 Nina’s — 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 ($14-22/glass). Pro tip: Ask for the off-menu cocktail — they’ll make something custom.
4. Ash Works — 48 East Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Pub grub elevated, beer garden out back Drinks: $14-22/glass
The one for when you want food with your drinks. The kitchen runs until 10:30pm and the share plates 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: Share plates for two plus a bottle of wine, under $90. When to come: Saturday from 5pm — it fills up by 7pm.
5. Long Pantry — 124 Oak Drive
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Laneway entrance, exposed brick, jazz on the stereo Drinks: $14-22/glass
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 classic cocktails executed cleanly, no gimmicks. Food is limited to bar snacks and a single dessert option 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nina’s | Overall best | $14-22/glass | Yes | No |
| Atlas’s | Quiet drink | $14-22/glass | Yes | No |
| Southern Place | New & trendy | $14-22/glass | Snacks only | No |
| Ash Works | Food + drinks | $14-22/glass | Full menu | Fri |
| Long Pantry | Atmosphere | $14-22/glass | Limited | Acoustic sets |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. Nina’s does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.
Getting there: Public transport options in West Footscray. 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. Long Pantry 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
- Footscray Wine Bars
- West Footscray Restaurants — eat before or after
- West Footscray Things to Do
- All West Footscray Guides
Last updated: March 2026
Keep Exploring
More in this area:
- Best Pubs in West Footscray
- Best Bars in West Footscray
- Nightlife Guide in West Footscray
- Best Cocktail Bars in West Footscray
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