Bundoora’s cocktail bars scene is residential, friendly, growing — and the cocktail bars reflect it. Whether you want a quiet midweek drink or a full Friday night, there are options that don’t require leaving the suburb. Happy hour (usually 5-7pm) knocks $3-5 off at most places.
Our Top Picks
1. The Village Kitchen gets the fundamentals right — good drinks, comfortable room, staff who know the menu. The wine list rotates monthly, which keeps regulars from getting bored. The back room is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.
Drink this: The rotating craft tap ($17-23). When to go: Tuesday for trivia and half-price pots.
2. Honest Bench — 351 High Parade
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Corner pub, proper carpets
The quiet achiever. Honest Bench doesn’t have a PR budget or an Instagram strategy — it has regulars who come three times a week. The front bar is the draw. The cheese board pairs perfectly with their wine by the glass.
Best night: Wednesday trivia (free entry).
3. Southern Social — 369 Smith Road
Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-11pm Vibe: Small, intimate, conversation-volume Drinks: $17-23
Opened in 2025 and immediately became a regular spot for the under-35 crowd. The cocktail list references classic recipes with local twists. The space is tighter than The Village Kitchen — maybe 50 people before it feels packed — but that’s part of the appeal.
What makes it work is the attention to detail. The glassware is considered, the ice is proper, and the bartenders actually taste what they make before serving. The tap list rotates every two weeks with a Victorian-only policy. If you hit capacity, put your name down and walk around the block — turnover is quick.
Drink this: Whatever the bartender recommends ($17-23). Pro tip: The back corner booth is the best seat.
4. Room — 365 Flinders Parade
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-1am Vibe: Modern gastropub with craft focus Drinks: $17-23
The one for when you want food with your drinks. The kitchen runs until 10:30pm and the pizza are genuinely good, not bar-food-as-afterthought. The steak sandwich is the sleeper hit.
The drinks list complements the food — an approachable wine list that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s the kind of place where you come for one beer and stay for dinner because you smell the kitchen.
Best combo: The cheese board with a glass of the house red, $35 total. When to come: Any weeknight for a quick meal and drink without the weekend crowd.
5. Cleo Bench — 153 Smith Road
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Hidden garden bar behind a bookshelf door Drinks: $17-23
The vibe pick. Not the best drinks on this list, but the candlelit basement creates an atmosphere the others can’t match. It’s the place to bring someone you’re trying to impress, or to photograph, or both.
The drinks list is designed around the aesthetic — photogenic serves that actually taste good. Food is limited to a small snack menu — olives, cheese, bread but you’re not here for the food.
Best for: Sunset drinks on warmer evenings — arrive by 6pm for the golden hour.
Comparison
| Venue | Best For | Drink Price | Kitchen | Live Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Village Kitchen | Overall best | $17-23 | Yes | Fri-Sat |
| Honest Bench | Quiet drink | $17-23 | Yes | No |
| Southern Social | New & trendy | $17-23 | Snacks only | No |
| Room | Food + drinks | $17-23 | Full menu | Yes |
| Cleo Bench | Atmosphere | $17-23 | Limited | No |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays.
Getting there: Public transport options in Bundoora. Don’t drive on Friday/Saturday nights — parking is scarce after 6pm.
Dress code: None of these are bottle-service-and-bouncers. Clean casual everywhere. Cleo Bench skews slightly smarter but won’t turn away anyone in jeans.
Age check: All venues are 18+. Bring ID if you look under 25 — they will ask.
Nearby
- Preston Cocktail Bars
- Bundoora Restaurants — eat before or after
- Bundoora Things to Do
- All Bundoora Guides
Last updated: March 2026
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