The Best Bars in Collingwood
Collingwood doesn’t have the same density of bars as neighbouring Fitzroy, but it does have a bit of everything. The oldest pubs and bars have retained the area’s original attitude: grungy and working class. But in more recent years, polished wine and cocktail bars have taken over as the main places to find a drink. We’re into all of it, from sipping a pint on The Tote’s sticky carpet to enjoying a bottle of natural wine at Hope St Radio.
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Above Board
Finding this secretive, 16-seat cocktail bar is half the fun.
Bar
The Tote
One of the most legendary venues in Melbourne’s live music scene, as well as a pilgrimage for interstate bands. Its three gig spaces (main room, front bar and upstairs) are sticky-carpeted tributes to the thousands of punk, metal and stoner-rock acts it hosts every year.
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The Moon
This neighbourhood gem is from the team behind The Alps and Toorak Cellars. More than 400 thoughtfully-curated drops make up the wine list, which you can team with sophisticated small plates.
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Stomping Ground Brewing Co.
Nearly every style you can imagine is available at this convivial beer hall, and they're all made right there.
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Nighthawks
As far as neighbourhood bars go, it’s pretty hard to top this laid-back hangout inspired by the beautiful old dive bars found across America. Come for live music, a game at the pool table and a beer garden.
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Molly Rose
In an old furniture warehouse, you’ll find sour-coffee ales and beer that mimics wine. Plus, a schmick Southeast Asian restaurant (and beer garden) next door.
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Hope St Radio
A glowing wine (and pasta) bar at Collingwood’s mammoth arts hub, which doubles as Hope St Radio’s home. Settle in for rigatoni all’amatriciana, Fernet-Branca-and-cola sorbet and plenty of juicy lo-fi wines.
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Runner Up
Head to the sunny, fruit-tree-filled rooftop above Collingwood Yards for wallet-friendly wines and cocktails, plus a superlative view that won’t cost you a thing. Cap it off with rotating DJ sets through a killer sound system, and you’ve got plenty of reasons to stick around.
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Paradise Alley
Shoot some pool, relax in a booth and share Southeast Asian curries – all are possibilities at this spacious, grungy warehouse bar that feels like a brewery without the beer obsession.
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Goldy’s Tavern
Despite the modern refurb, this charming all-day boozer feels like it’s been around forever. Park up in the sunny, plant-filled atrium or out front for upmarket parmas. The knockout-style pool competitions here are a mid-week spectacle.
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Rupert on Rupert
A verdant greenhouse bar with plenty of natural light.
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The Incubator
There’s beer, and then there’s award-winning India Pale Ale served straight from the tank. Here, you’ll get the latter.
Restaurant
Le Bon Ton
A late-night bar bringing the flavours of New Orleans and Texan barbeque to Melbourne.
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Smithward
It may feel like a neighbourhood wine bar somewhere in Europe, but this tiny spot exclusively pours Victorian vino as a rule. It also goes hard on the cheese front – mop up some melty, stretchy raclette with a stub of crusty sourdough for the full Smithward experience.
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The Gem Bar and Dining
This saloon-style pub has an Elvis fixation. The boot-worn floorboards feel lived in, and you might even catch a cowboy hat-wearing country act. The food sticks to the Americana theme: think Southern fried chicken and cheeseburgers.
Shop
BeerMash
Grab a growler to go, or sit in and take advantage of the huge range of draught, canned and bottled beers.
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Caz Reitop’s Dirty Secrets
A little gem, with intimate corners and old-world charm.
Bar
Gum
The kitsch floral wallpaper, bright-orange tabletops and retro lampshades might remind you of your nan’s house. The tongue-in-cheek cocktails, vodka-saké jugs and excellent pizza (from nearby Thin Slizzy) probably won’t.
Shop
Skydiver
By day, this clean-cut store sells house, techno, Italo, disco and Balearic records curated by a trio of respected Melbourne DJs. By night, it’s a cool, relaxed wine bar with a pumping beer garden.
Restaurant
Commis
Three Gerald’s Bar alums run this wine bar, which is bursting with personality. Its ever-changing menu includes a daily staff meal, as well as drinks like the Cookie Monster cocktail and “Butter Beer” served warm.
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Albion Hotel Collingwood
This historic pub will take you right to 1975. Find Bodriggy beers, a Latin American-leaning menu (think cheese-stuffed jalapeno tacos and 12-hour braised brisket tortas) and Marmadale Margaritas.
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The Bendigo Hotel
Once a magnet for hard rock and metal fans, this revamped live-music pub now has something for everyone. Come for craft beers by The Mill brewery and a Mexican menu by Dingo Ate My Taco.
