Spend Grand Final day the right way.
AFL Grand Final Day is like the piece de resistance for pubs and bars around Australia. It’s a time to impress and pull out all the stops because you don’t want to get it wrong and you definitely don’t want your venue to be empty on arguably the biggest sporting day of the year.
Such is the importance of such a divine occasion, there’s never a shortage of opportunities to swill a few down and bend the elbow like you’re the champion of the crop. A cultural cauldron as it is, Melbourne transmutes into some sort of wild behemoth come the last Saturday of September but don’t stress, we’ve sifted through the clutter to give you a complete guide to watching the big dance.
Head to a pub
This one is quite self-explanatory, but you can certainly get it wrong. There are three elements to a good Grand Final watching experience: TV size and quality, the volume of the sound and the bloody atmosphere. Surrounding yourself with festive folk is an absolute must and if they’re in the know about match tactics, player traits, etc. then you’re in for a wonderful ride. There are fantastic options all over the city — the Imperial in the CBD, the Rose in Fitzroy, the Grosvenor down south and the Corner in Richmond, so you’re spoilt for choice.
Catch a gig
There’s no stopping the music in this fine city. Not even the AFL Grand Final can quell the music avalanche and if you’re bipartisan, there are many ways to complement the big game. To find out what’s going down this weekend, head over to our gig guide. Endless live music options await.
Check out Fed Square
The open expanse of Federation Square is known for hosting banger viewing events when the biggest sporting events are going down. Whether it’s the men’s final of the Australian Open, the FIFA World Cup or some other indulgent foray of sport, they kit out the place with bean bags, food trucks, and face painting alongside a massive screen. The AFL Grand Final is no different, get down early to grab a spot.
Have a BBQ
If you weren’t able to score a ticket to the big game, you can still get amongst the atmosphere of the titanic occasion with a BBQ. A tried and tested Aussie tradition, there’s nothing like throwing a couple of snags on the barbie as you suck down tinnies with your mates and listen to the game on the radio. This is one of the oldest traditions of Grand Final Day and as the hours tick down to the first bounce, the vibe is never more electric.
Hit up a party
There’s nothing better than perching up on a couch in the sun with a froth as the crème de la crème of footy goes down in front of you. Often the bash and crash of the game set the tone for the party and there’s often a fair bit of carry-on, but that’s what makes it so magnificent. Ask around, Grand Final parties usually pop up through word of mouth, but if you’re still a bit lost then there are sure to be a few block parties happening.
