Best southside wine bars in Melbourne

Carlisle Wine Bar

137 Carlisle St, Balaclava

The bustling strip of Carlisle Street between Westbury and Chapel is best known for its great cafes, but unfortunately it all gets a little sleepy in the evenings. One shining exemption is Carlisle Wine Bar - tucked behind an unassuming facade, this dimly lit boho joint has an extensive wine list that's so enticing it's easy to forget to eat and simply sit at the bar whiling away the hours. Which is no bad thing. The staff are knowledgeable, the atmosphere's inviting and a handy 1am license means that you can pack in quite a few varietals too.

Best for… deep and meaningfuls and seeing through the bottom of a great bottle of red.

Dino's Deli

34 Chapel St, Windsor

There has to be a secret door in here somewhere. Dino's looks for all the world like a Cluedo set, with it's dimly lit vibe, stained glass panels, vintage furnishings and fake library wall. It's crying out for a sneaky getaway for murderers armed with lead pipes. It also has a very Euro feeling, and this is well represented by an exciting wine list full of continental plonk at reasonable prices. Wash down a great glass or two with Spanish inflected fare while you're at it, while sturdy wooden tables outside maximise people watching potential.

Best for… great European bottles at decent prices, while attempting to find secret passages.

Ciccolina Back Bar

130 Acland St, St Kilda

One of St Kilda's most popular Italian eateries, Ciccolina is as much about the character and the setting as it is about the undeniably good feed. A steadfast no reservations policy however means you can often wait a good hour to be seated even during the week. Have no fear – enter the rear of the side alley you alight upon Ciccolina Back Bar. Once you’ve nabbed a comfy booth seat, settled in with one of Ciccolina’s fabulous bottles and a couple of dishes to nibble on, you'll probably forget all about getting a table out front. Eating's cheating, after all.

Best for… settling in with a glass of wine and forgetting all about dinner.

Bond Street Cafe & Wine Bar

4A Bond St, South Yarra

A slick space that looks almost like an art gallery for wine, Bond Street Cafe & Wine Bar is a stylish reprieve from all the nostalgic dark wood and stained glass of most Euro-centric wine bars. With countless bottles lining sparse shelves at around head height, it's clear there's plenty on offer here, mostly of Italian origin. Despite the fancy pants locale, the hearty bar food is exceptionally reasonably priced too. Bellissimo.

Best for… the perfect wine pit stop between shopping extravaganzas

Basque Tapas & Wine

159 Chapel St, Windsor

We've all been to the bars that have a vaguely continental sounding name and then pay little or no lip service to the country their supposed to be evoking. You know the sort, with the faux Italian name and then a wine list that's solidly Victorian. Well, not at Basque, that's for sure. With genuinely mouth watering tapas on offer, it's the outstanding wine list that really seals the deal, with a ridiculous vault of all things viva y Espana.

Best for… working your way round Spain's vineyards.