Where to drink mulled wine in Melbourne this winter

Intimate CBD cocktail haunt Bar Clara has brought back its famous mulled wine this winter: a comforting concoction of red wine, spiced syrup, cacao nibs, cherries, winter spices and fresh orange to garnish. It's the only thing we need on a cold, wet day after work. Can't be bothered getting off the couch? No need, since the excellent bar also provides home delivery of its cult fave mulled wine. All you need to do is heat up and serve. Visit here to stock up for a Netflix 'n' mull sesh.

Where to find: 87 Little Bourke St, Melbourne

One of our reviewers once called Goldy's Tavern "the Benjamin Button of pubs" – a credit to the venue remaining cooler than ever 150 years since opening. Once the haunt of Chopper Read back when it was known as the Leinster Arms Hotel, it now acts as a little oasis from the chaos in Fitzroy’s backstreets. This winter, they're once again serving up hot ladles of their super comforting mulled wine – perfectly enjoyed, of course, in a pub that boasts cute dogs, fireplaces and all those warm and cosy vibes to get you through the colder months.

Where to find: 66 Gold Street, Collingwood

Melbourne's favourite illuminated event is back again in 2026, with 15 new and returning dazzling light installations to meander through in wonderment. From June 12 to August 2, take a nighttime stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens and experience luminous pathways, lit-up tree canopies, soothing soundscapes and more sparkly sights. Most importantly, you'll also be able to grab a bite to eat and warming drinks, like hot chocolate and mulled wine, at the Welcome Zone or dotted along the trail.

Where to find it: Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne

Mark your calendars and grab your warmest winter woolies, Melburnians: Queen Victoria Market's beloved Winter Night Market is back. Until August 27 you can spend cosy Wednesday evenings enjoying live entertainment, huddling around open fires and feasting on goodies from a selection of global street food stalls, carts, trucks and festival bars. And when you get thirsty, there'll be rivers of hot chocolates, campfire cocktails and – you guessed it – marvelous mulled wine.  

Where to find: Queen Victoria Market, corner of Queen Street and Therry Street, Melbourne

Your fave boozy Brunswick dive just got better thanks to a sweet drop of winter goodies to tide you by until spring. Think $12 mulled wines, belly-warming seasonal cocktails, a hot DJ and music program to keep the dance-floor thriving, plus a brand new heater in the back corner of the new smoking patio. We likey.

Where to find it: 528B Sydney Rd, Brunswick

Going out on your own is something most people avoid, but then a venue like Willows and Wine comes along to make a solo mission seem downright desirable, perched with a book in one hand and a shiraz in the other. We’re talking about West Melbourne’s bookshop bar, which is the perfect solution to homebodies who want to get out more. We honestly can't think of anything more idyllic than a big fat pageturner and a cocktail. glass of mulled wine, which is exactly what you can get here. Check out the super cosy vibes over at the bar's Instagram page.

Where to find: 315, Victoria St, West Melbourne

Grazeland is Melbourne’s family-friendly foodie playground located in Spotswood with views of the Yarra River and CBD skyline. Each winter, it transforms into the ultimate winter wonderland complete with roving performers, live music, cosy eats and more (last year, there was a snow machine!). Fuel up on warming snacks like hot chocolate fudge brownies, currywurst and chips truffle mac and cheese, before grabbing a spice-infused mulled wine and huddling around a fire pit. Grazeland is better than ever this year with a brand-new epic value meal deal ($25 gets you a main and dessert), plus live coverage of the World Cup alongside NRL and AFL games all season long.

Where to find it: 20 Booker St, Spotswood

Watch the rowboats glide past with some hand-held climate control. Classically spiced and made with red wine and Frangelico, it's a mulled wine that hits the spot. Bonus points, this bar also cranks the heat up in wintertime with boozy hot milo and boozy brandy-spiked Biscoff to round out your drinks order. Yep, we could definitely sit here all night long.

Where to find it: Federation Wharf Vaults 1-9, Melbourne 3000

If the perpetual line snaking out from its entrance is anything to go by, Section 8 is one CBD treasure that never gets dusty in spite of its age. It's also a reliable spot to grab a mulled wine with friends in the cooler months. Next time you find yourself hankering for a proper German glühwein, rug up in your warmest jacket and head to Tattersalls Lane to enjoy this lively open-air bar's refined mix of vino, triple sec, star anise, brandy, cardamom, cinnamon and cloves. 

Where to find: 27-29 Tattersalls Ln, Melbourne

How good is West Footscray's award-winning Harley and Rose? Not only is it slinging incredible parmas, epic weekday specials and some tasty wood-fired pizzas, you can get a delectable mulled wine (housemade, of course) almost every night of the week. Medicine in a glass.

Where to find: 572 Barkly Street, West Footscray

Neighbourhing Elsternwick Train Station, the Goat House restaurant is a friendly suburban locale with heated outdoor seating, a bar and a crowd-pleasing menu of brunch and pub-style dishes available all day long. Not only does this spot do a pretty great coffee, but you can also step in for a 250-ml pour of mulled wine and enjoy it by the cosy wood fireplace. 

Where to find it: 272 Glen Huntly Rd, Elsternwick

An award-winning bar and café in South Wharf, the Boatbuilders Yard captures the charm of Melbourne's maritime precinct with a modern fitout housed inside an original historic shed. Its mulled wine is your classic, run-of-the-mill hot stuff that's perfectly spiced and is best enjoyed by the venue's fireplace.

Where to find it: 23 South Wharf Promenade, South Wharf

On the Arts Centre-side of Southbank, you'll notice a huge, floating cornucopia of Australian spirits, produce, and good times. This is Yarra Botanica, a pontoon bar tucked situated on the banks of the Yarra River. Though it's pumping in summer, it certainly knows how to change its stripes come winter. This season, it's hosting adorable movie nights where you can cosy up with a friend, sip mulled wine, watch a film on the projector and take in city views and glistening lights on the river. There are also bottomless fondue feasts on Saturdays, with all the necessary accoutrements: warm cheese and chocolate, mulled drinks and more. Cute! Find out more and make a booking at the website.

Where to find it: Southbank Promenade, Southbank

Collingwood-based bottleshop, wine bar and haven for all things vino, Glou is serving up cups of ze proper glühwein this winter and if it's anything like last year's, it'll be made from a biodynamic drop that makes it all the more smashable. At happy hour (or if you BYO vessel) it's $12 for 200 delicious millilitres of the stuff. Grab a cup at Glou, a bottle to take away or you can bring a reusable cup for a warming winter stroll. What a cute date night idea! 

Where to find: 310 Smith St, Collingwood

Take a stroll over the Evan Walker pedestrian footbridge that runs from Flinders Street Station to Southbank and you’ll notice something happening underfoot. No, it’s not the tourist boats zooming down the Yarra River. It’s Ponyfish Island, a riverside bar that’s latched underneath the busy thoroughfare. If you think it looks chilly by the water, though, think again: just in time for winter, the bar is slinging their OG mulled wine for $11 a cup. 

Where to find it: Evan Walker Bridge, Southbank

From the tres fabuleux team that brought us Parisian dessert paradise Roule Galette, Croque Monsieur is the little brother spot to visit for Melbourne's best take on the iconic French ham and bechamel toastie. With homemade soups on the menu and mulled ciders, too, this humble laneway café may just have what it takes to soothe those winter blues. Prefer mulled wine to cider? You're in luck – the former is served next door at Roule Galette.

Where to find it: Manchester House, Shop 2, 237/241 Flinders Ln, Melbourne