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The Best Bars in Collingwood

Updated 1 month ago

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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.

  • Above Board

    Bar

    Finding this secretive, 16-seat cocktail bar is half the fun.

  • The Tote

    Bar

    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.

  • The Moon

    Bar

    Just to be clear, this is not a moon-themed bar – it's another neighbourhood gem from the team behind The Alps, Milton Wine Shop and Toorak Cellars. More than 400 thoughtfully-curated drops make up the wine list, which you can team up with sophisticated small plates of seafood, seasonal veg and heartier proteins.

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  • Stomping Ground Brewing Co.

    Bar

    Nearly every style you can imagine is available at this convivial beer hall, and they're all made right there.

  • Nighthawks

    Bar

    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.

  • Molly Rose

    Bar

    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 with kangaroo tartare, twice-fried chicken wings and more.

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  • Hope St Radio

    Bar

    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.

  • Runner Up

    Bar

    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.

  • Maha North

    Bar

    Experience interesting takes on Middle Eastern classics at Shane Delia’s moody spot. Go for crispy burek buns filled with duck fesunjun (a classic Persian stew), pickled octopus and sweet muhammara (roasted capsicum dip) wrapped in lettuce, and the signature Pomegranate Sour cocktail. Its siblings Maha and Maha East are also worth your time.

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  • Paradise Alley

    Bar

    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.

  • Goldy’s Tavern

    Bar

    Despite the modern refurb, this charming all-day boozer feels like it’s been around forever. Park yourself in the sunny, plant-filled atrium or nab a spot out front for pub-style breakfasts and upmarket parmas. The knockout-style pool competitions here are a midweek spectacle.

  • Rupert on Rupert

    Bar

    A verdant greenhouse bar with plenty of natural light.

  • The Incubator

    Bar

    There’s beer, and then there’s award-winning India Pale Ale served straight from the tank. Here, you’ll get the latter.

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  • Le Bon Ton

    Restaurant

    A late-night bar bringing the flavours of New Orleans and Texan barbeque to Melbourne.

  • Smithward

    Bar

    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.

  • The Gem Bar and Dining

    Bar

    A saloon-style pub with an Elvis fixation. The boot-worn floorboards feel like they ought to be scattered with sawdust, and there’s every chance you’ll see a cowboy hat-wearing country act crooning in the corner. The food sticks to the Americana theme: fried chicken, burgers and fully loaded fries.

  • The Mill Brewery

    Bar

    A one-man operation punching above its weight.

  • BeerMash

    Shop

    Grab a growler to go, or sit in and take advantage of the huge range of draught, canned and bottled beers.

  • The Gasometer Hotel

    Bar

    The Gaso is one of the city's best rock’n’roll pubs. Its cosy, red-brick front bar belies the size of the band room out back, where you can catch the cream of the city’s musical crop from the dance floor, or the upstairs mezzanine beneath a retractable roof.

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  • Caz Reitop’s Dirty Secrets

    Bar

    A little gem, with intimate corners and old-world charm.

  • Gum

    Bar

    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.

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  • Skydiver

    Shop

    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.

  • Commis

    Restaurant

    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.