The Best Bars in Preston
Preston’s bar scene is one of Melbourne’s best-kept open secrets. It’s not trying to compete with the CBD or South Yarra — it’s building something more interesting: a collection of neighbourhood bars where the bartender knows your drink, the music doesn’t overwhelm conversation, and you won’t need a second mortgage to cover a round.
The action centres along High Street and Plenty Road, with a few stragglers on the quieter side streets. Here’s where you should be drinking in Preston, and what to order when you get there.
Hardout Bar — Plenty Road
Best for: Craft beer nerds who want a chill vibe
Hardout Bar is the kind of place that could only exist in a suburb like Preston. It’s tucked into Plenty Road with an unassuming storefront that you’d walk past if you didn’t know it was there. Inside, it’s all mismatched furniture, a bookshelf curated by local Black Spark Cultural Centre, and a drinks list that champions Victorian craft breweries with religious devotion.
On tap you’ll find rotating selections from the likes of Bridge Road Brewers, Murray’s, and Moondog, alongside local pét-nats and a wine list that leans natural without being preachy. The outdoor area is small but perfectly positioned for a lazy Sunday arvo. Vinyl DJs spin on weekends — expect everything from 70s soul to 90s hip-hop, depending on who’s behind the decks.
Insider tip: ask about their “off-menu” collaborations. They periodically do small-batch brews with local breweries that never make it to the printed menu. If they’ve got one, order it — it’ll be gone within the week.
Surly’s Bar and Garden — High Street
Best for: Date nights that don’t feel like a date night
Surly’s opened in December 2019, survived a pandemic, and emerged the kind of bar that every neighbourhood deserves. The name is misleading — there’s nothing surly about the staff or the atmosphere. It’s warm, it’s welcoming, and it’s decorated with the kind of 1930s and ’40s charm that a Pinterest board can only dream about.
The drinks list champions local and independent producers. You’ll find Victorian craft ales on tap, a solid selection of natural and low-intervention wines, and cocktails that don’t require a degree in mixology to enjoy. The courtyard out back is surrounded by fairy lights and has enough space for a decent group without feeling crowded.
Food comes from local restaurants — Surly’s doesn’t have a kitchen, but they’re happy for you to order in from the neighbours. This setup means you get the best of both worlds: excellent drinks in a purpose-built bar, plus the full menu from whatever High Street restaurant catches your eye.
The Keys — Murray Road
Best for: Groups, celebrations, and anyone who gets bored sitting still
The Keys is what happens when someone looks at a warehouse in Preston and thinks, “What if we put 45 beer taps, 12 bowling lanes, a gaming arcade, a dance floor, and a beer garden for 600 people in here?”
It sounds excessive. It is. And it’s brilliant.
The venue is divided into three bar areas, each with its own personality. One leans into sports and casual drinking. Another is more cocktail-forward. The third is the late-night space where the DJ takes over. The bowling lanes are surprisingly well-maintained (not just a gimmick), and the arcade games range from vintage pinball to modern multiplayer setups.
The food menu does pub classics — pizzas, burgers, loaded fries — and the kitchen keeps up with the crowd, which on a Friday or Saturday night is substantial. Book ahead if you want a bowling lane.
Oliva Social — High Street
Best for: Cocktail lovers who want something a bit different
Oliva Social sits at 102-104 High Street and brings a touch of European sophistication to Preston without losing its suburban grounding. Owner Adam Cursio opened the bar after years of hosting massive family parties at his Nonna’s place in Thomastown — the concept was to bottle that energy into a commercial space.
The cocktail list is the star. The Chinotto Connection (whiskey, Chinotto San Pellegrino, lemon juice, honey) is their signature, and it’s earned. The food menu sticks to share plates, pizzas, and tapas — nothing groundbreaking, but everything done well enough to justify ordering three courses when you only planned on one.
Inside, high ceilings and polished concrete give it a modern feel, while the front courtyard with its fairy lights and picnic tables is where you want to be on a warm evening. It fills up fast on Thursdays and Fridays — arrive before 7pm or expect a wait.
Rebel Rebel — Plenty Road
Best for: Dive bar purists and anyone tired of polished warehouse bars
Named after the David Bowie song, Rebel Rebel at 93 Plenty Road is a dive bar in the most complimentary sense of the word. Dim red lighting. Vintage photos on the walls. Records stacked barside. No pretension, no Instagram-worthy cocktails served in miniature bathtubs.
The drink list is straightforward: spirits, beers, wine, and a couple of cocktails that prioritise flavour over presentation. In winter, they do mulled wine and hot toddies that are worth braving the cold for. The outdoor space is intimate — fairy lights, candles, just enough room for a handful of tables.
What makes Rebel Rebel special is its consistency. Opened in 2019, it’s barely changed, and that’s the point. In a city where bars reinvent themselves every six months chasing trends, Rebel Rebel knows exactly what it is and doesn’t apologise for it.
Hard Rubbish — Plenty Road
Best for: Day drinking and casual catch-ups
Despite the name suggesting a weekend cleanout, Hard Rubbish is a cafe-bar hybrid that does both daytime coffee and evening drinks with equal commitment. The daytime menu covers brunch staples and coffee, while from late afternoon it transitions into a bar with craft beer, local wines, and a selection of nostalgic snack foods.
The space itself is eclectic — think reclaimed furniture, local art on the walls, and a general atmosphere that says “we found this stuff on the nature strip and it’s perfect.” It’s a vibe that shouldn’t work but does, largely because the people who run it clearly care about the space and the community it serves.
Benzina Cantina — High Street
Best for: Tacos and margaritas with actual personality
Benzina Cantina brings Mexican street food and bar culture to Preston in a way that feels genuine rather than theme-park. The space is neon-lit with cactus-lined interiors, a spacious dining hall, and — crucially — a rooftop bar that catches the afternoon sun beautifully.
The tacos are loaded: pork belly with pickled slaw, spiced chicken with chipotle mayo, mixed veg with black beans and coriander. The burritos are substantial. The margaritas are properly made, not just tequila-and-limeade, and the Mexican beer selection goes beyond the usual Coronas.
The rooftop is where Benzina really shines in summer. It’s not huge, but on a warm evening with a couple of margaritas and a plate of tacos, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to somewhere in Mexico City’s Roma Norte — if Roma Norte had a tram stop two minutes away.
Tallboy & Moose — Raglan Street
Best for: Craft beer enthusiasts willing to explore
Technically straddling the Preston-Thornbury border at 270 Raglan Street, Tallboy & Moose is a microbrewery that opened in 2016 and has become a pilgrimage spot for Melbourne’s craft beer community. Run by “Tall Dan” and “Canadian Steve,” the industrial-style venue has beer vats visible at the back of the space, so you can literally watch your beer being made.
The beer list covers everything from traditional stouts and ales to experimental sours and pilsners. They also do a surprisingly good food menu through Wee Man’s Kitchen — Scottish-inflected pub grub including homemade haggis, black pudding, and solid burgers. It’s the kind of place where you come for one taster and leave having tried eight.
Getting Home Safe
Preston’s bars are well-served by public transport. The 86 tram runs along High Street until late, and rideshare pick-ups are plentiful along the main roads. If you’re bar-hopping along Plenty Road, Bell Street is your best bet for an Uber — the side streets can be quiet and slow for driver pickup.
Preston Police Station is at 260 Hotham Street. If you or someone you’re with needs help, call 000. Late-night Myki top-ups are available at the 7-Eleven on High Street.
What We Skipped and Why
We left out several smaller bars and bottle shops that serve the local community but don’t quite fit a “going out” guide. Preston also has a growing wine bar scene — places like Trumpy and a few others are doing interesting things with natural wine — but we’ve focused on venues where you can walk in solo or with a group and have a proper night out.
We also skipped the pub-style venues (the Olympic Hotel, the Preston Hotel) because we cover those in our best pubs guide. And if you’re looking for late-night dancing, Preston isn’t really the suburb for that — Thornbury’s High Street strip and the Northcote Social Club will serve you better after midnight.
Explore more in Preston’s neighbourhood: → Best Pubs in Preston → Best Restaurants in Preston → Thornbury’s bar scene — 10 min walk south → Northcote nightlife — 20 min walk
This guide was researched and written by the MELBZ team. Prices and hours are accurate as of March 2026 but should be confirmed before visiting. MELBZ is an independent Melbourne guide — we don’t accept payment for listings.
