We're collating a running list of the pubs and bars reopening in Melbourne so you can get off the couch and on the beers ASAP.
Who’s thirsty? Let’s try this again, Melburnians. Melbourne’s pubs and bars are planning their grand reopenings for the final bloody time, so this is the last time we’ll have to change this bloody article. Anyway…
We’ve worked so hard to be where we are today and our diligence and perseverance has been repaid. Finally, the prospect of sauntering down to your local for a pint is becoming a reality. Finally, we’ll be able to actually enjoy a pub meal and a good ol’ yarn with our mates in a social establishment.
To celebrate the venues who have worked so hard to get themselves to where they are this week, here’s a running list of the beloved pubs and bars reopening their doors in your neighbourhood. Dive in!
Check out Beat Eats for the latest Melbourne food and booze news.
Kewpie (formerly Bimbo)
Brunswick Street, Fitzroy icon Bimbo has been closed since the beginning of the first lockdown but will reopen with a brand new name, Kewpie, on November 8. The $5 pizzas will not only remain, but they’ll be giving away 50 free pizzas every day from November 8 to November 12.
The Gem
Texas BBQ, live music, craft beer, Collingwood, what more could you want? This absolute gem of a bar is reopening at 3pm this Friday (October 22), bringing the Americana vibes back! With 4 dining rooms and an upstairs bar, they can cater for a cheeky bar-top snack or dining bookings of up to 30 people.
The Curtin
One of Melbourne’s oldest pubs across the way from Trades Hall, The Curtin is reopening with the Gem at 3pm this Friday (October 22) and they’ll be bringing their renowned live music back as soon as possible after that.
Hotel Collingwood
Hotel Collingwood is opening this Friday at 12pm and they’re ready to welcome you all with open arms. Open from Monday – Sunday 12pm – late, the folks behind Hotel Collingwood have also taken the chance to renovate the space during lockdown, so expect a few changes.
Northcote Social Club
High Street’s pride and joy, the Northcote Social Club, will be reopening October 26 and will be offering their scrumptious lunch and dinner service for all you hungry folks out there. Better get in fast though because the NOSO will be hugely popular.
Read the menu and make a booking via the Northcote Social Club’s website.
Sooki Lounge
The voice of live music in the east, Sooki Lounge, has reopened and the people of Belgrave and beyond can rejoice. Sooki is a classic for great music and good food, attracting international artist after international artist when things were normal. Now punters will be able to return and indulge themselves in a place steeped with history and significance.
Book a table at the Sooki website or by giving them a bell on (03) 9754 7567.
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The Birmingham
Things are kickstarting at The Birmy again on October 22. Known for having one of Melbourne’s best parmas, The Birmy sits right in the middle of Fitzroy on the corner of Smith Street and Johnston Street. It’s an ideal setting for weekend drinks and is iconic for a few pre-drinks on a night out.
Find out more about the venue here.
Bodriggy Brewing Co
The rumours are true Bodriggy, which means these legends should be open October 23. A beloved Abbotsford eatery and bar, Bodriggy, has reopened its doors for food and drinks. The menu here is sick, offering classic Latin American cuisine and plenty of tasty craft beers to boot.
Head to the Bodriggy website to find availabilities and make a booking.
Edinburgh Castle
The Eddy is reopening with bookings available now and we’ve never been more ready to sink a pint perched up at a bar stool as we witness the Brunswick watering hole abuzz with activity.
The meals here are fantastic if you’re after the pub classics and I wouldn’t wait any longer to book because they’re gonna fill up quick fast.
Hit up their website to make a booking.
The Corner
It’s still October 26 according to The Corner Hotel’s Instagram, with bookings available now.
Read the menu and make a booking via The Corner website.
The Brunswick Green
The Brunny Green will reopen on October 26 and Sydney Road lovers can rejoice. Cosy and intimate, this spot has a killer beer garden for all the social adventurers out there.
Email them at [email protected] to make a booking.
The Empress
Here we go again. Bookings are now open from Friday the 22nd of October onwards and The Empress say “we can’t wait to have you back.”
You haven’t properly wined and dined along Nicholson Street without visiting Fitzroy North local, The Empress Hotel. Now, the watering hole has reopened and will be firing at all cylinders, with their scrumptious menu spanning all your pub favourites. Check in for a feed or perch up for a some arvo froths, The Empress has got all your social cravings covered.
Book a table at The Empress here.
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Howler
“Fuck year, Howler’s back open,” we overhead someone say as we walked along the Sydney Road sidewalk at the end of the last lockdown. They weren’t wrong either – the Brunswick favourite is the perfect encapsulation of Melbourne with it’s art deco setup and quirky wonderland vibe.
Book a table via the Howler website.
FAD Gallery
Part gallery, part bar, part live music venue and part absolute Melbourne institution, FAD Gallery will reopen October 22 and there’s never been a better time to venture into the CBD to grab a beer.
Give them a buzz on (03) 9639 2700 or DM them on Instagram or Facebook to make a booking.
The Espy
Keen to wander down to the beach? You’ve been cooped up forever so wouldn’t blame ya. As you feel the sand between your toes stop by a St Kilda institution while you’re there. The Hotel Esplanade, or The Espy as we like to call it, will reopen October 26. She’ll be awfully popular so make sure you make a booking in advance via the venue website.
Read the menu and make a booking via The Espy website.
The Carringbush
Reopening October 26!
A hotspot for vegan and vegetarians, The Carringbush is back in business and has become an adored favourite for Abbotsfordians. Hidden in the backstreets on Langridge Street you could easily miss it, but you wouldn’t want to with its scrumptious menu of delectable vegetarian fare. Think buffalo cauliflower, Moroccan tofu or a halloumi and mushroom burger.
Sessions at The Carringbush book out so call ahead on (03) 9191 0149 to reserve your spot.
The Standard
Reopening October 22!
Fitzroy wouldn’t be Fitzroy without The Standard, a hidden gem just off Brunswick Street. The pub known to facilitate many a boozy weekend has returned and is back serving you tasty pub grub seven days a week. Ahhhh the thought of a Standard Burger replete with bacon, fried egg, beetroot chutney, aioli, tomato chutney, cheese, confit onion, lettuce, tomato and chips has me hungry already.
Sort yourself a table via The Standard’s website.
Dr Morse
Wander down the steps from Victoria Park train station and popular watering hole Dr Morse looks you right in the eye. You would’ve spent many a late night at the Abbotsford bar dancing away in their beer garden and from now, they’re reopening from October 23.
Times vary so head to the Dr Morse website to explore availabilities and make a booking.
Wesley Anne
Reservations now open!
An adventure through Northcote should not be completed without dropping into the iconic Wesley Anne. The perfect spot for a mulled wine, The Wes is also a grand choice for a meal that’s strewn with European inspiration.
Make a booking at The Wes here.
The Retreat
With a massive event planned already to celebrate their birthday, Sydney Road’s adored ranch, The Retreat, will reopen. Their live music is also off and firing while their menu is a ripper, filled with all your fave pub grub items, along with a Western touch.
Give ’em a bell on (03) 9380 4090 to make a booking.
Post Office Hotel
Breakfast beers? Coburg’s Post Office Hotel is back in the game and starting early for that matter. Offering live music on most nights, The Post Office has become one of Melbourne’s most trusted pub/live music hybrids and you’d be stupid not to check it out.
Give ’em a bell at (03) 9386 5300 to make a booking.
The Old Bar
You little ripper! The Old Bar will reopen October 26 and thank fuck for that. The venue don’t take bookings so you just have to turn up and get lucky.
Check out their website here.
Charles Weston Hotel
Sitting just behind Brunswick’s Barkly Square, The Charles Weston Hotel is the definition of a homely pub to retreat to on a cold weekday night for a scrumptious pub meal. Did I just spell out the dictionary definition of a ‘pub’? Anyway, this humble abode will swing its doors back open and you’ll definitely have to make a booking because this place is popular.
Hit up their website to make a booking.
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The Bergy Seltzer
Open on Friday!
Things are looking up on Sydney Road because The Bergy Seltzer is coming back! The venue has quickly earned a reputation around the traps for its live music and killer menu – these guys used to run another beloved venue The Brunswick Hotel, so they know what they’re doing. So why not head in and say hello?
Email The Bergy at [email protected] or hit them up via Facebook Messenger to book a table.
Great Northern
Reopening but already fully booked until November 7, ha.
At the top of Rathdowne Street sits the aptly-titled Great Northern, a perfect spot to spend your afternoon sinking a few beers. Now, the pub is reopening and you can start to reimagine all those weekend hangs in the beer garden. With a parma to die for, what are you waiting for? It’s time to get involved I say.
Make a booking via the Great Northern’s website.
Cherry Bar
The beloved Cherry Bar is reopening this weekend and they’re back to doing what they do best – filling up their bandroom with gigs across the weekend.
Book a table at Cherry here.
For the latest news on regional Victorian venues reopening, head here.
