A visit to one of our cosy cocktail lounges or wine bars is a great way to experience a taste of the region, all under one roof. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon or evening tipple or two at one of these welcoming venues.

Starting in Kyneton, Piper Street is well known for its premium café and dining experiences, it’s therefore no surprise that it’s also home to many of the region’s best cocktail bars. The team at Botanik at the Royal George Hotel combine an eclectic mix of retail therapy alongside excellently crafted cocktails, while a quick step over the road and you’ll find yourselves in expert hands at Miss M’s Lounge.

Keep heading down the road and you’ll find the cocktail lounge at Animus Distillery. Relax on the Chesterfields and choose from the evolving list of seasonal cocktails. Across the road, Fook Shing offers a selection of delightful cocktails to thrill alongside tasty South-East Asian cuisine. Nearby, Piper Street Wine Company, is home to a welcoming bar, cellar and dining room.

In Woodend, you’ll find Woodend Cellar & Bar, a cosy spot for a classic cocktail or a local drop of wine. Tucked behind them, is the chef hatted Kuzu Izakaya, this casual eatery serves not only delicious Japanese food, but tasty Japanese inspired cocktails too.

A short stroll away is the distillery door for the award-winning Gindu. Sip on a gin tasting flight or an expertly crafted gin cocktail in this intimate space as you tuck into some tasty bush tapas. Further down Woodend’s High Street is 600 Above, choose from the wide selection of wine or beer, paired with a tasting board – where the focus is very much local.

In Trentham, the newest kid on the block is Still Moon House. This inviting venue doubles as both a cellar door and tapas bar. Enjoy a tasting of Still Moon wines, paired with a tasty dish from the seasonal menu.

In the heart of Daylesford, Winespeake Cellar + Deli is a wine and cheese lovers paradise with a prominent corner location. Up the road, Betel Boy  is a great option for classic cocktails, their ‘afternoon sessions’ every Friday and Saturday are particularly popular. A few doors down at Enki, you can sip on organic beverages curated by herabalists at their Botanic Bar.

A short stroll away, Brewjays is the go-to spot for an espresso martini, while 2024 ‘Bar of the Year’ winner and chef’s hat recipient in the Good Food Guide awards Bar Merenda boasts a curated selection of local and international wines, along with expertly crafted cocktails.

In Hepburn Springs, sip on a cocktail in the cosy saloon bar at the  Palais-Hepburn before catching a live show or pop across the road to the Mineral Springs Hotel, the lounge bar here has been a popular spot for an afternoon tipple since the 1930’s.