The Rooks Return is a kick ass little bar in Fitzroy sitting on the south end of Brunswick Street hosting local DJs, live jazz on Wednesdays and Honky Tonk nights on Thursdays.
Live music: is a common occurrence at Rooks Return. On Wednesdays it’s jazz, on Thursdays it’s honky tonk and there are DJs all weekend long for those looking to sneak in a little boogie.
Famous for: somehow feeling both like a homey, unpretentious pub and a classy establishment – just the kind of energy you need to welcome all types through the door.
Infamous for: being a little too cosy. The warm lighting, recycled timber interior, old oil paintings, plus booths and frayed rubs give it that hygge cabin feel and at the end of a long night, you may feel tempted to rest your eyes for just a minute. Luckily, there’s usually enough ambiance to keep you wide awake.
Rooks Return is a pub that feels utterly Fitzroy. Bringing together the rustic northside charm with a cocktail menu that seriously delivers, it’s the kind of easygoing place you could rock up to on a big night out with friends, spend a lowkey afternoon playing chess or board games, or bring your parents when they come to town.
The welcoming energy mixes nicely with the intimacy of the space. When it’s especially busy, you’ll be dodging and weaving through the crowd and you’re likely to brush up against someone interesting. They also do an excellent job of curating the vibe, so if you’re trying to get away from the riff raff (AKA bachelor parties, pub crawls and the like) you’ll most likely be safe here.
Of course, no good pub is complete without a generous selection of taps, but the cocktails are not to be missed. With no traditional cocktail menu, the laidback staff are more happy to take direction. They’ll stir or shake up a classic just the way you like it – dirty, dry, or with a lemon twist. If you’re not feeling fussy, tell them to surprise you and you’ll be in for a treat. It’s also BYOF, so pack some snacks or pick something up nearby (a word to the wise: Hector’s Deli is just down the street).
For a ciggie or even just a moment of quiet, the courtyard can’t be beat. Especially in rough weather – there’s something so lovely about being warm and dry while listening to the patter of raindrops on the covered rooftop.