20 Of Brisbane’s Best Wine Bars
What defines a wine bar? Wait staff that know their Semillons from their Sauvignons is a good start. And of course, you need an excellent selection. At Urban List, we reckon the atmosphere plays a big part, too. It can't be considered one of Brisbane's/Meanjin's best wine bars without soft lighting and a sommelier that'll make you feel like you're all of a sudden an expert on the ol' plonk.
So, where’s the best spot to get a good glass of vino in Brisbane? Well, at Brisbane's best wine bars, naturally. Here is your handy cheat sheet.
Fountainhead Winehouse
54 Doggett Street, Newstead
Image credit: Fountainhead Winehouse | Supplied
This is the brand-new wine bar and bottle shop that has everyone talking—Fountainhead Winehouse. Atmospherically, there’s nothing quite like it in Brisbane. It sits somewhere in between a fancy wine store, your stylish friend’s living room and Mediterranean restaurant chic. There’s a grab-and-go situation for bottles but this is Brisbane’s best wine bars list after all, we absolutely recommend taking a seat to sip from the ever-changing by-the-glass list.
Wineology
471 Adelaide Street, Brisbane CBD
Whether you’re a wine novice or a total oenophile, you really need to know about Wineology. This Brisbane wine bar is unique for one thing: you pour your own wine. Yep, thanks to their state-of-the-art wine dispensers, you can taste your way through 96 different wines, opting for either just a 30ml taste, a half or a full serve when you find one you like. This may just be our new favourite way to drink wine—especially considering there’s plenty of excellent tapas to order up on.
Milquetoast
199 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane CBD
Image credit: Milquetoast | Instagram | Daniel Joseph
We love an underdog. And Milquetoast was made in honour of just that: built in dedication to the indie venues that make up the backbone of Australian hospitality. You’ll find Milquetoast tucked down a CBD alleyway painted black in a disused garage. You will quite literally find bottles upon bottles of wine lining the walls of their teensy space, so you know you’re in safe hands here when it comes to wine. We highly recommend finding a spot and settling in for the night with their snack menu that changes with the seasons.
Dark Red Wine Bar
694 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
Tucked halfway down Bakery Lane, Dark Red’s impressive floor-to-ceiling lineup is just the first of many delightful discoveries. The intimate space, which focuses primarily on Italian and Australian-Italian drops, spills out into laneway seating with plenty of foodie options around for a mix-and-match meal. Oh, and get this—they’re pooch-friendly. See if you can spy Daisy, the resident doggo, snoozing by the bar.
Ruby’s Wine Shop
3/297 Sandgate Road, Albion
Image credit: Ruby's Wine Shop | Lacosa Studios
On the hunt for a new wine bar to add to your rotation? Trust us, it’s out in Albion. Ruby’s Wine Shop is all about sustainable and minimal-intervention wine with rare drops from Switzerland all the way through to impeccable local natural wines. It's part wine bar, part bottle shop—you can sip vino by the glass or pop by to grab a bottle (or two). One of our favourite titbits? You know you’ve found Ruby’s when you spot a very cute, very friendly Border Collie—owner Tamara Husler’s four-legged friend that also happens to be the bar’s namesake.
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Stickybeak
2 Logan Road, Woolloongabba
A bar where you can pour your own wine? Yep, you read that right. That’s what you’ll find at Stickybeak, a two-story wine bar in Woolloongabba, offering an innovative sipping experience with 80 wines available through self-serve dispensers. The venue features outdoor seating on the street-level pavement and an enclosed, air-conditioned verandah upstairs, creating the ultimate weekend yapping spot. If you're after something bold, try a rich Barossa Shiraz, or keep it light with a crisp Italian Pinot Grigio—whatever your taste, Stickybeak lets you explore at your own pace, one pour at a time.
D.Vino Bistro & Vinoteca
77 Jurgens Street, Woolloongabba
Image credit: D.Vino | Supplied
We love a suburban wine bar close to home, but this Woollongabba spot is also worth travelling for. From the team that also own Arcade Wine in Redcliffe, D.Vino Bistro & Vinoteca is part Italian restaurant, part wine bar, and after a few glasses from their list of some 400-odd wines, you may find yourself settling in for the night. If it’s just an afternoon tipple you’re after, they’ve got you covered with 50 of those vinos available by the glass and a menu of snacks and tapas-style bites that includes mini blue fin tuna tataki burgers, gnocco fritto with prosciutto and fresh figs, and beef carpaccio.
Niky
64 Doggett Street, Newstead
Another Brisbane wine bar that’s very easy on the eyes is Niky, the pastel-pink after dark counterpart to Newstead’s Salt. Owner Zac Lazerac will happily talk you through the chalkboard menu of natural drops and bite-sized snacks, and probably even stop for a chat if you nab a stool at the massive oval-shaped bar. The vibe is lo-fi chic, the wine is excellent and the focaccia might very well be Brisbane’s fluffiest. Mind you, we have already hailed it as one of Newstead's best restaurants because of how much we love it.
Bar Francine
29A Vulture Street, West End
Image credit: Bar Francine | Urban List | Ranyhyn Laine
An historic Queenslander cottage doing wines and snack plates? Yep, that’s Bar Francine. The Bar Francine motto is simple but highly effective: yum eats, fun wines and great times. When it comes to the yum eats, the team here curates their menu daily so you never quite know what you’re in for. And as for the fun wines? Their menu is laser focused on small, independent Aussie wine producers and based on what the team love to drink themselves. You’ll probably find wines you’ve never heard of here, so if you’re feeling adventurous you’re in the right place.
Maeve
39 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane
Also one of Brisbane's best date night spots, Maeve is one to add to the top of your list. The heritage-listed building is packed with plenty of natural light, and has an extensive menu of delicacies to accompany the impressive wine list. Pop in for a late-night pick-me-up or cosy dinner date.
Mr Chester Wine Bar
850 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
Image credit: Mr Chester | Instagram
Escape the summer heat by hunkering down in Mr Chester’s wine bar—or should we say, wine bunker. Their menu is packed with the best new world boutique wines with a heavy emphasis on Aussie bottles, served alongside carefully selected cheese and charcuterie boards and some of Brisbane's best pizzas. Hot tip: this is very much a hidden gem, so make sure you enter via Church Street to find it.
La Lune Wine Co.
109 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane
One of our favourite Fish Lane haunts, La Lune is the brainchild of famed Brisbane restaurateur Paul McGivern. Their extensive list of international wines has been designed with flavour in mind, so prepare to have your tastebuds blown away by tipple paired with oysters and glazed duck breast.
Adelita
32 Glenora Street, Wynnum
Image credit: Adelita | Facebook
Raised above a street corner in Wynnum, this Bayside beauty is draped in emerald tones and a stunning marble bar for an experience as gorgeous as its wine list of hundreds of international and local vinos. It’s not just about the wine at Adelita, though—the food menu is equally as stunning, from the prawn katsu sando to the Golden Gaytime dessert. It’s even doggo-friendly.
Snack Man
East Street, Fortitude Valley
Follow the twinkling fairy lights of East Street down to the dark door of this inner-city wine bar. Snack Man sits in stark contrast to the light, bright and bustling space of its sister venue, Happy Boy. Its moody, refined decor will transport you to the streets of Soho, so prepare to embrace your inner Serena van der Woodsen and browse the outstanding selection of esoteric drops while devouring next-level Chinese food.
Wild Legs Wine Room
1/22 Wyandra Street, Newstead
Image credit: Wild Legs | Instagram | Samantha Wooller
Unfussy in atmosphere but with a killer wine list on hand, this charming Newstead spot is made for arvo sessions that turn into late nights. Accepting walk-ins only, Wild Legs has a particular focus on natural, organic and biodynamic drops from around the world, which pair seamlessly with their bar snacks and Euro-inspired menu. Kick back, catch up and get the cheese souffle—it’s a cult comfort.
The Old Seven
567 Old Cleveland Road, Camp Hill
Classic French vibes collide with top-notch wine at The Old Seven on Brisbane’s east side. The venue’s intimate atmosphere and antique vibes will sweep you away from the hustle and bustle of city life, leaving you to indulge in their range of more than a hundred local and international wines.
Wineism
1D/97 Sandgate Road, Albion
Image credit: Wineism | Supplied
Is it a bar? Is it a bottle shop? Well, yes and yes, but Wineism takes both far beyond your wildest wine-infused imaginations. Award-winning sommelier Ian Trinkle has breathed life into a space that blends shopfront with sit-and-sip experience. Pull up a chair in the sleek industrial bar to taste test a hand-picked list of global wines, and, when you’ve found your poison, dive into the takeaway and home delivery options. Sipping was never simpler.
Noir
216 Given Terrace, Paddington
Image credit: Noir | Instagram
Despite the dark and mysterious name, Noir ushers wine-and-diners into three storeys’ worth of warm, cosy spaces to tuck away with a nice red, some fresh sourdough, and a chunk of blue cheese. Now, if you’re not halfway out the door already (what are you doing?), we’ll deign to add that these Given Terrace legends have married up your favourite Aussie drops with an ever-changing menu of international and rare wines. Get to it.
Clapham Junction Wine Bar
2/17 Royal Parade, Banyo
Northsiders, we haven’t forgotten you. Clapham Junction Wine Bar is our go-to venue for lazy afternoon drinks that always slide right into dinner. The bar’s vintage vibes and vast range of wines bring a taste of Europe to Banyo, allowing you to sample tasty boutique drops without breaking the bank.
Cru Bar & Cellar
1/22 James Street, Fortitude Valley
Image credit: Cru Bar & Cellar | Facebook
Cru Bar is a James Street icon, and for good reason. This Fortitude Valley wine cellar meets restaurant has been a fan-favourite for years with its inside-outside dining room spilling out onto the leafy James Street thoroughfare. Pull up a seat at the bar or book in for a long lunch and peruse their 450-strong wine list spanning indie drops and classic pours. The best part? Thanks to their dedicated Coravin list, they can offer rare wines by the glass without technically needing to pull the cork.
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Leading image credit: Wineology | Supplied