The Best Bars in Collingwood For A Cracking Night Out
Keep the rounds coming at the best bars in Collingwood.
Collingwood's predilection for late night revelry is well known, and the suburb has a high density of good times bars within its four borders. There’s somewhere to wet your whistle every night of the week, with the nightlife buzz dialing all the way up as you approach the weekend.
From iconic pubs and gritty dive bars to classy cocktail venues and elegant wine saloons, these are the best bars in Collingwood for drinking in style in the 3066.
Commis
Commis is a fun and zippy new wine bar in Collingwood quickly making an impact on the 'burb's famously good drinking scene. Thanks in large part to the Gerald's Bar alums running the show. The menu here is as playful and considered as its surrounds, from the ever-changing, hyper-local dishes streaming out of the kitchen to the exciting list of wines ranging from textural and intense, to Tom Hank's level crowd-pleasing. They're also having a lot of fun with cocktails too.
Both vibrant and comforting, Commis is striving for local connection - and for that reason alone its the perfect new bar in Collingwood to make your regular haunt. Even if it is to simply pop in for a solo glass of vin and some of their bread and sexy butter.
56-58 Johnston Street, Collingwood
Panacea
Another new bar in Collingwood worth its weight in gold is Panacea, where modern wines, excellent cocktails and a lush outdoor beer garden are a tempting invitation. Comedy gigs, gallery showings and other fun events are often in rotation, as are Scoville Sundays - hello hot wings, vegan nuggs and DJs spinning stellar tunes!
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 $12 Bloody Marys all day to good records spinning Friday through Sunday, it's hard to look past the charm of this unmissable Collingwood haunt. Have we mentioned the delicious eats by resident kitchen, Nama? Think fried chicken and caviar, corn tostadas, ebi toast and filet of fish burgers. Nom nom.
25 Easey Street, Collingwood
The Gasometer Hotel
Regularly reaching their 350-or-so person capacity, the Gasometer’s the place to go for a proper party. Known by locals as 'The Gaso', they’ve got a retractable roof so on hot summer nights you can dance under the stars, whether from the d-floor or up on the mezzanine level.
It's also just a cracking spot to join friends for a few bevvies. One of our favourite bars in Collingwood.
484 Smith Street, Collingwood
Bad Frankie
It’s a case of locals-only at one of Melbourne's hottest gin bars, Bad Frankie. This sleek Fitzroy bar is shaking things up by serving over 80 Australian-born gins – all part of a 150-strong regional drinks list. Sourced everywhere from Collingwood to Kyneton, this loving ode to Australiana sees clever cocktails paired with the likes of native pepperberry and quandong. Proof that everything you need is right here.
114 Greeves Street, Fitzroy
Maha North
The Delia Group have re-launched Maha Bar as Maha North, a Middle Eastern-inspired and wine-focused bar and brasserie synonymous with the Maha name. Serving up signature Middle Eastern-inspired dishes in an eclectic yet unpretentious setting, the menu champions seasonal ingredients and favours bold flavours. It's a replication of the menu and ambience of sister venue Maha East, albeit delivered with a Northside twist. The interior refresh also delivers elegance and sultriness in spades, a sensibility that lends itself to anything from an evening spent tasting all the wines and small plates with your bestie, to a fun date night, or special occasion dinner. A refined drinking and dining experience and one of the best new bars in Collingwood.
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. For drinks, the wine list focuses on Victorian and South Australian drops by the glass, as well as bountiful list of spectacular cocktails and sakes, curated by sommelier Hayley McCarthy. A refined and sophisticated space, this is one of the best bars in Collingwood right now.
90 Smith Street, Collingwood
Hope St Radio
Word to the wise - book a table ahead for Hope St Radio. The extremely popular Collingwood bar and radio station regularly packs up fast, as a stream of eager locals and travellers alike descend upon Collingwood Yards. They're all here to enjoy the scrumptious wines and small plates being served up with refined aplomb. The perfect spread must always include Chef Ellie Bouhadana's focaccia with whipped butter, plus oysters mignonette or their seasonal crudo dish; some sort of goopy burrata or stracciatella to spear the focaccia into; and the potato and onion tortilla. The pastas also never miss. Paired with a unique drop from the tight and cleverly curated wine list and the sounds of local DJs, and you've got yourself a super fun night out with friends.
35 Johnston Street, Collingwood
Beermash
Welcome to Smith Street's Beermash, where an easy drinks session with friends is always guaranteed. This cool brick-lined bar and bottle shop has 20 rotating taps for growler fills, plus lots of fun bottles of craft beer and wine to sip well into the evening on. If you're a lover of craft beer in particular, this is the best bar in Collingwood for you. You'll find it hard to not want to try every one of their specialty selections.
306 Smith Street, Collingwood
Molly Rose
Collingwood's charming neighbourhood brewery is bigger, better and more beautiful in 2023, 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 you're dining on their ambitious chef's table menu, cosying up indoors for a casual pint or setling in for an afternoon in the brewery's beer garden. Expect a mostly Australian wine list, a cocktail menu from Ryan Noreiks of Caretaker’s Cottage (one of our favourite new openings from 2022), and of course a range of Molly Rose's best craft beers.
279/285 Wellington Street, Collingwood
Goldy’s Tavern
Friends, families and four-legged friends are all welcome at this reincarnation of a legendary old-school boozer (the historic Leinster Arms Hotel), which has lovingly retained all of its unpretentious charm while gently nursing it into the modern age. Goldy’s Tavern's several dining rooms, bars and outdoor areas are a study in homey, kitschy mid-century Australian décor – with floral carpets, soft furnishing and vintage knick knacks to boot. There’s cold beers on tap and a cracking parma to dig into, but also forward thinking wines and food. Grab a jug and a board game off the shelf, this is a local that you’ll want to linger at.
66A Gold Street, Collingwood
Above Board
We think Above Board is one of Melbourne’s coolest cocktail bars – but don’t just take our word for it, they’ve been named the 44th best bar in the entire world. A seat at Hayden Lambert’s tiny 16-seater entails deeply personalised service, much like what you’d find in the upscale bars of Tokyo or London. Expect a regularly rotating list of cocktails that take inspiration from Lambert’s years working all over the world, alongside classic drinks made to exacting standards.
306 Smith Street, Collingwood
Runner Up
Melbourne loves a rooftop bar, and there are few as fun right now as Runner Up in Collingwood. Located in the Collingwood Yards precinct, the space is made up of a cosy brick bar and open air courtyard (that really shines come golden hour). There’s a gentle Mediterranean feel about the place, with Italian and Australian wines pouring, cumquat and fig trees blooming and a stay-all-day vibe. Come for a limoncello spritz and stay for DJs on the weekend.
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, frayed-edge Melbourne of yesteryear, here 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 hosting live music either, with intimate gigs every week 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 kind of place you can hit up for both 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. To drink they’ve got an impressive craft beer selection, natural wines, plus a snappy list of retro cocktails, and if you get snacky there’s a flaky Pie Thief pastry with your name all over it.
173 Johnston Street, Collingwood
Gem
Gem by name, gem by nature. A well-loved pub that’s a shrine to Americana and live music, Gem has been a Collingwood classic since it opened its doors some 15 years ago. Sporting a warm and woody, honkytonk vibe that wouldn’t be out of place in Texas, there’s vinyl records spinning, pinball machines flashing and an Elvis shrine watching over regulars as they sink beers and catch gigs. The Gem is a committed live music venue, with local and international bands playing every weekend across genres including rock’n’roll, surf rock, R’n’B, country and more.
289 Wellington Street, Collingwood
Glou
A sustainable wine dispensary – how very inner north. Glou’s mission is an honourable one, reducing countless glass bottles and labels by serving vino on tap from kegs. They’ve got 16 taps rotating through a thrilling selection of exclusively Australian drops, making Glou a great visit for those looking to expand their knowledge of local winemaking. Functioning almost like a cellar door, you’re welcome to taste before committing to a glass, and you’ll want to bring a reusable bottle to fill up with your favourites for home. During winter, their fabulous glühwein (the German version of mulled wine) puts them on our list of our favourite places to drink mulled wine.
310 Smith Street, Collingwood
Smithward
Wine and cheese is one of life’s great pairings. This fact is duly celebrated at Smithward, where they serve melty, grilled raclette every day of the year. The tiny 17-seat bar is a great place for the decision averse as they keep their menus snappy, with 100 percent Victorian wines and small plates that are all guaranteed pleasers. Taking cues from the charming small bars of Paris and Madrid, you’ll always feel like you’re on holiday mode here.
48 Smith Street, Collingwood
The Moon
Local bar and bottle shop The Moon has ridden the natural wine wave, adopting a minimal intervention philosophy from the moment they opened their doors. At this sleek concrete and stone wine bar over 400 bottles are at your disposal while an eclectic by-the-glass list jumps between organically farmed Verdicchio to local Pinot Noir produced in Gippsland. Their wine-friendly snacks are equally thoughtful, with seasonal dishes such as pine mushroom risotto and whipped nduja and comte custard toasties.
28A Stanley Street, Collingwood
Did you enjoy our guide to the best bars in Collingwood? Discover even more must-visit bars with our guides to the best wine bars and rooftop bars across Melbourne. On date night planning duty? Impress them with a table at these effortlessly romantic spots or show them you’re in the know with a booking at these newly opened venues.
