The Best Bars in Collingwood for a Cracking Night Out

Collingwood‘s predilection for late-night revelry is well known, and the suburb has a high density of good times bars within its borders. There’s somewhere to whet your whistle every night of the week, with the nightlife buzz dialling up as you approach the weekend.

From iconic pubs and gritty dive bars to classy cocktail bars and elegant wine saloons, these are the best bars in Collingwood for drinking in style in the 3066.

Babines

Babines is the kind of neighbourhood bar that makes you want to sip wine, laugh loudly, and forget the world outside. A cheeky nod to French culinary culture, but with a playful Australian twist, it’s all about casual vibes and delicious drinks that make your “babines” (read: lips) tingle with excitement. This spot is where modern Parisian flair meets Collingwood cool – funky, fun, and far from pretentious. So, grab a seat, order something scrumptious, and let the evening unfold with a glass in hand and a smile on your face. Bon appétit!

108 Smith Street, Collingwood

Holy Diver

Holy Diver is where Collingwood’s grit meets rock ’n’ roll soul. Think neon lights, killer cocktails, and a pool table that never takes itself too seriously. Go to sip a Tommy’s margarita during happy hour, stay to catch a live DJ set, and laugh louder than you thought possible. With a raw, no-frills vibe, Holy Diver is the ultimate spot for those who want to play hard and drink well.

113 Johnston Street, Collingwood 

The Cordial Club at Orlo

Orlo is a Mediterranean-inspired bar and restaurant tucked into a former cordial factory, where old-school charm meets contemporary edge. But it’s the basement bar, The Cordial Club, that truly steals the spotlight. This underground hideaway pulses with life, offering bold cocktails and snacks that will have you coming back for more.

Wander in for a quiet sip, and before you know it, you’ll be lost in the electric vibe, great company, and an atmosphere that won’t let you leave. This new bar in Collingwood is your new best-kept secret. Shh.

44 Oxford Street, Collingwood 

Commis 

Run by Gerald’s Bar alums, this zippy wine bar is shaking up Collingwood’s already buzzing drinking scene with a menu that’s equal parts playful and precise. The kitchen fires off ever-changing, hyper-local dishes, while the wine list swings from deep and textural to pure, crowd-pleasing joy. Cocktails? They’re having a blast with those too. Bold, inviting, and effortlessly cool—Commis isn’t just a bar, it’s a habit waiting to happen.

56-58 Johnston Street, Collingwood

Panacea

A Collingwood favourite worth its weight in gold, Panacea is a go-to for modern wines, top-tier cocktails, and a lush outdoor beer garden that begs you to stay awhile. The vibe is always buzzing, with comedy gigs, gallery showings, and other fun events on regular rotation.

Let’s not forget Scoville Sundays—where hot wings, vegan nuggets, and DJs spinning killer tunes turn the heat up in all the right ways. Whether you’re here for a drink or the good times, Panacea delivers every time.

210 Johnston Street, Collingwood 

Paradise Alley

It’s all in the name at Paradise Alley, tucked down a leafy alley in a warehouse off Easey Street. A mini oasis of vibrant cocktails, tasty eats and friendly vibes await, where you’ll come for one and stay for 10.

From Wednesday through Friday Happy Hours to free pool playing Thursdays, Recovery Sundays featuring 2-for-1 cocktails and Bloody Marys all day, to good records spinning through the weekend, it’s hard to look past the charm of this unmissable Collingwood haunt. Have we mentioned the delicious eats in the resident kitchen, Nama? Think fried chicken and caviar, corn tostadas, ebi toast and filet of fish burgers. Yum. 

25 Easey Street, Collingwood 

The Gasometer Hotel

Regularly packed to its 350-person brim, The Gasometer—affectionately known as ‘The Gaso’—is where Collingwood comes to let loose. With a retractable roof, you can dance under the stars on balmy summer nights, whether you’re tearing up the d-floor or vibing from the mezzanine. But it’s not just a gig haven—The Gaso is a year-round go-to for knocking back a few drinks with mates, soaking up the electric atmosphere, and catching some of the best live acts in town. An institution for good times, no matter the season.

484 Smith Street, Collingwood

Maha North

The Delia Group has reimagined Maha Bar as Maha North, a wine-focused bar and brasserie that stays true to the bold, Middle Eastern-inspired flavours synonymous with the Maha name.

Here, seasonal ingredients take centre stage in a menu designed for indulgence—think vibrant small plates and flavour-packed dishes served in an eclectic yet effortlessly refined setting. The refreshed interior oozes elegance with a sultry edge, making it just as perfect for a deep-dive into the wine list with your bestie as it is for a date night or special occasion feast.

86 Smith Street, Collingwood

March

Highly regarded chef Peter Gunn opened the doors to his new bar, March, late last year, situated next to his fine diner IDES on Smith Street. It’s an intimate and moody space, that sits just 26 and shares a wall with IDES, but is not afraid to do its own thing.

The menu is small but considered, with an appreciation for Japanese flavours and cooking approaches acknowledged throughout. The drinks list highlights Victorian and South Australian wines by the glass, plus bountiful cocktails and sake.

90 Smith Street, Collingwood

Hope St Radio

Hope St Radio is the kind of spot that feels like a backyard hang with seriously good food, wine, and tunes. Blake Ellis (ex-Wines of While) is in the kitchen, keeping things fresh with seasonal plates—think marinated capsicum with tomato, toum, and sunflower seeds—while that legendary focaccia with whipped butter still holds its throne. The wine list? Always changing, always interesting. With DJs spinning deep cuts and a buzzing courtyard full of good vibes, it’s the perfect place to settle in for the night, no plans needed.

35 Johnston Street, Collingwood

Beermash

Welcome to Smith Street’s Beermash, where an easygoing drinks session with friends is always guaranteed. This cool, brick-lined bar and bottle shop boasts 20 rotating taps for growler fills, along with a curated selection of craft beer and wine to sip well into the evening.

If you love craft beer, this is the best bar in Collingwood for you—you’ll find it hard to resist trying every one of their specialty selections.

306 Smith Street, Collingwood

Molly Rose

Collingwood’s charming neighbourhood brewery is bigger, better and more beautiful than ever, having taken over not one but two neighbouring buildings. Molly Rose’s exceptional, laid-back hospitality shines from the minute you stroll through the door, whether dining in on their chef’s table menu, cosying up indoors for a pint or settling in for an afternoon in the beer garden.

Expect a mostly Australian wine list, a cocktail menu from Ryan Noreiks of Caretaker’s Cottage, and a range of Molly Rose’s best craft beers.

279/285 Wellington Street, Collingwood

Goldy’s Tavern

Friends, families, and four-legged companions are all welcome at this legendary old-school boozer—the historic Leinster Arms Hotel—now lovingly revived as Goldy’s Tavern. It has retained all its unpretentious charm while easing into the modern age, like a cold pot of beer on a summer afternoon.

With several dining rooms, bars, and outdoor spaces, the vibe is homey, complete with kitschy mid-century Australian décor—floral carpets and vintage knick-knacks included. Grab a jug, pick a board game off the shelf, and settle in. This is the kind of local you’ll never want to leave.

66A Gold Street, Collingwood

Above Board

Above Board isn’t just one of the best bars in Collingwood—it’s one of the best in the world, officially ranked #44. But trust us, numbers don’t do it justice.

This intimate, 16-seater bar is all about precision, passion, and a little magic. Stepping inside feels like slipping into a scene from Tokyo or London’s finest cocktail haunts—where the bartender knows your drink before you do. Expect a rotating menu of masterfully crafted cocktails, each infused with years of global experience, plus timeless classics executed with near-religious devotion.

306 Smith Street, Collingwood

Runner Up

Melbourne’s rooftop game is strong, and Runner Up in Collingwood is a standout. With its cosy brick bar and breezy open-air courtyard, this spot really comes alive as the sun dips low.

The vibe is effortlessly Mediterranean, where Italian and Aussie wines flow freely, cumquat and fig trees add a touch of nature, and the laid-back energy invites you to settle in for the long haul. Grab a limoncello spritz, kick back, and let the weekend DJ sets seal the deal. It’s the perfect place to soak in the city’s golden hour.

Level 2/35 Johnston Street, Collingwood

Nighthawks

Every nightlife-loving neighbourhood needs a good dive bar, and Nighthawks is Collingwood’s. Harking back to the grungy and frayed-edge Melbourne of yesteryear, the lights are low, the records spinning and the mood conspiratorial.

Sidle cheek-to-cheek in booths, catch some fresh air in the rear beer garden or even drop in for a solo tipple up at the bar. The bar’s petite dimensions don’t stop it from being one of our favourite live music venues, with weekly intimate gigs in the front room.

136 Johnston Street, Collingwood 

Gum

Small in size but big in soul, Gum is a ‘70s-inspired bar injecting a shot of nostalgia into Johnston Street. Somewhere between a wine bar and a pub, it’s the place you can hit up for a quick pre-dinner drink and late nights with local DJs.

The space is effortlessly inviting with bright, throwback décor in the form of orange laminate tabletops, brown leather chairs and floral print wallpaper that looks great on the ‘gram. 

173 Johnston Street, Collingwood 

Glou

A sustainable wine dispensary – how very inner north! Glou’s mission is admirable, reducing countless glass bottles and labels by serving vino on tap from kegs.

With 16 taps rotating through a selection of exclusively Australian drops, Glou is the perfect spot for those looking to expand their knowledge of local winemaking. Operating almost like a cellar door, you’re welcome to taste before committing to a glass. And don’t forget to bring a reusable bottle to fill up with your favourites to take home.

310 Smith Street, Collingwood

The Moon

Local wine bar and bottle shop, The Moon, has embraced the natural wine wave, adopting a minimal intervention philosophy from the moment it opened.

This sleek concrete and stone wine bar houses over 400 bottles, while an eclectic by-the-glass list jumps between organically farmed Verdicchio and local Pinot Noir from Gippsland. Let’s not forget the snack game—it’s seriously strong, with an ever-changing selection of mouthwatering bites that perfectly complement the wines, making every visit a treat for both your taste buds and your glass. Get anything that has anchovy in it.

28A Stanley Street, Collingwood 

Did you love our guide to the best bars in Collingwood? Discover more must-visit spots around Melbourne with our guides to the best wine bars and rooftop bars.