Best Wine Bars: Australia

Go back in time about a decade and Australia had a dearth of wine bars - those that existed were good, but they were seriously few and far between. How things have changed... These days there seems to be a neighbourhood wine bar in each suburb, and neighbourhoods are all the better for it!

There's never been a better time to explore the world of wine, all from the comfort of your local wine bar. Here's our list of what's great around Australia at the moment!

Melbourne Wine Bars--red

Melbourne – perhaps the only city in Australia that never sleeps?

Known for alleyways and black fashion, great restaurants and inclement weather. It also is home to some of Australia’s best wine bars.

Here’s a shortlist of some of our favourites!

NEIGHBOURHOOD WINE - 1 Reid St, Fitzroy North

Do you want the choice of over 500 wines? Whiskeys you’ve never heard of? Beers so bitter they melt your face off? All served in an old secret gambling den that was formerly run by one of Melbourne’s infamous crime families? You’re welcome.

CITY WINE SHOP - 159 Spring St, Melbourne

The veteran of the wine bar scene in Melbourne, and still going strong today. An incredibly deep cellar jammed to the rafters with the classics of the wine world, often with years under their belt. Head here for rare Champagnes, single-vineyard Barolos and hard-to-find Burgundies.

EMBLA - 122 Russell St, Melbourne

The new wave. AN instant hit in the middle of town, Embla is more than just a wine bar – it’s a casual restaurant that just happens to have some of the trendiest wines around. A great list with friendly staff and excellent food. Tops.

THE MOON - 28A Stanley St, Collingwood

The Moon is more bottleshop than wine bar, but you can still sit in and munch on a toastie whilst enjoying a far-out natural wine from Georgia, the Loire Valley and closer to home. Friendly prices and enthusiastic staff seal the deal.

MR WEST - 106 Nicholson St, Footscray

With a strong focus on the burgeoning craft beer scene, without forgetting a great little selection of wines, Mr West really kicked off the reinvigoration of drinking in Footscray. Drink in or take away, and be guided by the energetic staff, who always have a great suggestion on hand.

BAR LIBERTY - 234 Johnston St, Fitzroy

Full disclosure – the author of this article was formerly a co-owner of Bar Liberty…but don’t worry about that, there are plenty of other people who will tell you that Bar Liberty is one of the best wine bars in the world! (or at least Melbourne). Another one that straddles the line between restaurant and wine bar, the food here is as much of a draw as the wine. A big selection of aged wines at great prices, and plenty of interesting beers, sakes and spirits as well.

Perth Wine Bars--aromatic

The east coast of Australia is by no means in short supply of places to grab a delicious meal paired with a great drop. But what about our mates in the west?

Arguably one of the most isolated cities in the world - Perth is punching well above its weight in showcasing some fantastic food and wine venues. Here are our top 5 places to wine and dine in Perth...

NO MAFIA - 252 William St, Northbridge

Nestled in the bustling heart of Northbridge, No Mafia does not disappoint when it comes to everything Italiano! With their no-fuss approach, you feel like one of the family - a family of brilliant chefs and switched on sommeliers. Their generous wine list shows off some cracking bottles from Italy as well as some local gems.

The owners and staff are perhaps some of the most passionate foodies and wine lovers going around Perth - There is always a new wine or dish that they can’t wait to show you - and take my advice - let them! Their modern take on traditional Sicilian dishes, created with the freshest West Australian produce is not to be missed.

SHADOW WINE BAR - 214 William St, Perth

Just a stone's throw from No Mafia, Shadow Wine Bar is a sophisticated and stylish hideaway from the sometimes hectic streets of Northbridge.

Step into a buzzing world of class and quality as their modern Australian cuisine paired with some impressive local and international wines takes you away for a few hours. You could really set up shop here and stay all night!

The staff are a massive drawcard - cool and calm they really know their stuff, especially about wine! This place is oozing with chic-ness. One of Perth's best, if you're looking to spoil yourself.

LALLA ROOKH - 77 St Georges Terrace, Perth

One of the stalwarts in the Perth wine scene, Lalla Rookh is a place with a big heart and even bigger wine list. Plenty of great drops from producers you've never seen before (but will want to). Eat, drink, be merry - this is the perfect spot to while away the afternoon.

PETITION - State Buildings, St Georges Tce &, Barrack St, Perth

We’re really in the heart of the CBD now! Petition wine bar might have one of the coolest things in the world - a wine library. Choose from the shelves what you want to drink right there and then or take it away to enjoy later!

The carefully curated selection of boutique wines has something for everyone, whether you’re new to the wine game or are a veteran, you'll find something to tickle your fancy.

BALTHAZAR - 6 The Esplanade, Perth

Sitting at the base of an original Art Deco apartment block, the ‘Lawson’ just opposite Elizabeth Quay, Balthazar really takes you on a complete food and wine journey. A journey which you can continue at home as they’re licensed to sell wine to take away!

The ever-changing wine list features some quality organic and biodynamic wines which match their minimalist intervention menu. Balthazar gets top marks from us!

Sydney Wine Bars--racy

Sydney, the grande dame of Australian cities. At once modern and cosy, bright lights and hidden secrets. Plenty for the locals, but certainly the big-ticket item on the Aussie destination list.

There are plenty of great wine destinations too - here’s a shortlist of some of our favourites!

LOVE, TILLY DEVINE - 91 Crown Ln, Darlinghurst

POLY - 74-76 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills

TEN WILLIAM ST - 10 William St, Paddington

MONOPOLE - 71a Macleay St, Potts Point

COOGEE WINE ROOM - 222 Coogee Bay Road, Coogee

BIBO WINE BAR - 7 Bay Street, Double Bay

Brisbane Wine Bars--aromatic

1889  ENOTECA - The Moreton Rubber Building, 10-12 Logan Rd, Woolloongabba

Owned by renowned wine import Dan Clarke, this is a great spot to explore a wide range of Italian wines, not just those of the more famed regions. Plenty of great eating and drinking to be done here.

CRU BAR - 1/22 James St, Fortitude Valley

An oldie but a goodie, Cru has been at the top of the wine bar game in Brisbane for many years. With a huge selection of interesting wines by the glass, it's a great spot to pop in and try something new.

GERARD'S BAR - 13A, 23 James Street, Fortitude Valley

The next-door-wine-bar-neighbour to famed Gerard's Bistro, this cosy little bar (with a handy deck for sunny days) has a focus on charcuterie and tasty things by the glass. A great spot for a pre-dinner drink.

GRAPE THERAPY - cnr Adelaide St & Macrossan St, Brisbane

Flys under the radar sometimes, but if you want a cosy spot to curl up on a huge couch with a glass of something comforting, well this takes some beating. Steeped in vintage charm, and with a bottle shop to takeaway your new-found discovery, this is a great place.

Adelaide Wine Bars--cellar

Adelaide is known as the City of Churches, and whilst there are certainly quite a few places of worship in South Australia's capital, there are also a host of great food and wine options. Here's a snapshot of our current favourite places in Adelaide.

LEIGH ST WINE ROOM - 9 Leigh Street, Adelaide

Owners Nathan and Sali Sasi moved from Sydney to Adelaide in 2018 and quickly set to work looking for a space for their dream venue. Amazing produce translated into great food, with a huge list of low-intervention and organic wines to choose from. Very polished and fun.

MOTHER VINE - 22-26 Vardon Ave, Adelaide

A great wine bar owned by the same team as the famous bottleshop East End Cellars across the road, Mothervine has super-reasonably priced bottles for all tastes. A great collection of Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot especially.

LA BUVETTE - 27 Gresham St, Adelaide

This little piece of Paris transplanted to downtown Adelaide is a great spot for enjoying a bottle of something French teamed with classic and tasty bistro style snacks. Helpful staff guide you to the right selection every time.

HELLBOUND - Basement, 201 Rundle St, Adelaide

Descend the stairs, not to Hell, but to wine Heaven really. Only a few years old, Hellbound is totally focused on the grape. Only a few snacks here, but plenty of bottles to choose from.

Tasmania Wine Bars--racy

Tasmania! If you're not hopping cellar doors in Tassie's stunning wine country, you can pull up a stool and find a great glass in Hobart or Launceston! New, chic and exciting wine bars are popping up more and more. Each is unique, but share a focus on local gems and sustainable bites! Here are a few standouts.

HAVILAH WINE BAR - Launceston

A local favourite and must-visit tourist touchpoint! Havilah brings Tasmanian wine in context to other regions of the world. They also offer special tasting s of their own label and Two Tonne Tasmania by appointment and have an onsite wine shop.

PACHINKO -  Launceston

A super fun 20-seat modern-Asian restaurant. All their produce is sourced locally, and you better believe their wine list is locally focussed too!

LUCINDA WINE - Hobart

A winner for the spontaneous at heart! This walk-in only wine bar caters to natural wine lovers and when you're in the mood to try something different!

MONA - Hobart

You can't visit Hobart without going to Mona! Experience the on-site winery of one of Tasmania’s oldest vineyards.  Drink the range at Mona’s bar right outside the gallery, or hit the cellar door for a tasting!

DIER MAKR - Hobart

This is your winner if you are looking for a real pairing experience! Dier Maker offers fabulous multi-course tasting menus, and their wine list is sure to have a perfect pair to marry all flavours!

TEMPLO - Hobart

Templo is a cosy 20 seat neighbourhood restaurant tucked away in the back streets of Hobart. Their wine program is focused on minimal intervention wines from small, and often local, producers.

THE DEN - Hobart

Care to mix it up a bit? The Den is the perfect place to stop in for a glass of vino or a quality handcrafted cocktail. Renowned for fusing the best of Tasmanian, international and house-made ingredients, the experience here can't be beaten! Especially if you appreciate an immaculate, yet cosy, atmosphere to sip and swirl!

About the Author

Alex is a certified sommelier that spends more time running in old-growth forests and hike-in camping than any other somm. So if 'nature-loving hippy' were a certification, she'd have done that too. A talented illustrator with a unique style, her doodling works are inspired by the world of wine - and somehow, seem to improve after a glass or two.