Gerald’s Bar, Carlton North

Gerald's Bar has nearly as many awards as it does wine varieties, so no list of Melbourne's greatest wine bars would be complete without it. Gerald Diffey, the bar's owner and namesake, has served in some great restaurants during his career, but he has designed Gerald's Bar to seem quite casual and home.

Trinkets and artifacts adorn the walls, giving the impression that you're in someone's homeroom rather than a public bar. Despite the warm atmosphere and welcoming service, the wine list is remarkable and diverse. With a cellar of over 200 wines from over here and over there, the wines by the glass are also forever changing. With a menu that changes frequently and at the discretion of management, a safe bet is to order a glass from one of the open bottles in the back's silver ice buckets.

Address: 386 Rathdowne St, Carlton North VIC 3054

Website: geraldsbar.com.au