The best pubs in Melbourne

The best pubs in Melbourne take the three most important elements to a great night out – beer, a feed, and good vibes – and mash them together with beautiful simplicity. In Melbourne, they make up a very large portion of venues, demanding a list that details the best ones around. While pubs certainly have their roots in British and Irish culture, Aussie pubs are more distinct in their role within communities. During the rapid influx of new settlements in the gold rush era, pubs were often one of the first structures established, and new towns would grow around them. Australian communities often hinged on these waterholes for their services, and when pubs would close down, it often meant the rest of the town went down with it.

Well, that’s certainly not the case today, thankfully. As Australia continues to evolve, so does its pubs, with many new establishments popping up here and there, either staying true to the classic pub identity or trying something new. We’ve got every type of pub here, check out the best pubs in Melbourne with outdoor dining and also the best pubs in Melbourne to watch the footy. If you’re keen to explore some of Melbourne’s best bars too, check out this list here.

Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.

The best pubs in Melbourne’s CBD

Young and Jacksons

 

Young and Jacksons is an old school pub that first came into action in some form back in 1861. The pub calls itself a mix of “a boutique bar and a traditional pub”, and after a meal and a pint, it’s definitely clear why.

It’s definitely one of the best pubs in Melbourne – it’s branded as ‘where Melbourne meets’ and considering it’s just across the road from Flinders Street Station, that’s probably about right.

Young and Jacksons is also home to a popular piece of artwork called Chloe, it’s been around since 1909, and has a pretty interesting history to it. On the food and drink side, they’re focused on providing some great pub classics, pints of your favourite beers, and mains like steak, fish and chips, and a whole lot more.

The Duke of Wellington

Since its inception, The Duke has changed a few hands and had a few updates, with the pub being famously sold back in 2017. It’s not only the oldest watering hole on our list of the best Melbourne CBD bars and pubs, it’s the most historic venue in our hundreds upon hundreds of venue listings across the site. That’s pretty bloody cool.

It’s a stone’s throw from some of Melbourne’s top spots, an easy work from landmarks like Fed Square and Melbourne Town Hall. It’s a classic pub, you can grab all of your favourite meals, and top it off with a pint of your favourite local brew. The secret to longevity? Keep it simple, Duke.

The Sherlock Holmes

The Sherlock Holmes Inn calls itself one of Melbourne’s best kept secrets, and after heading there, it’s definitely clear why. Their dedication to their craft is immeasurable, they have curated a drinks list unlike anywhere else in Melbourne.

The exterior is a great mix of old English style with some great modern Melbourne vibes, it’s truly a hidden gem.

Enter this venue and it’s like you are entering into an old-school English pub, with some classic beers on tap and classic English pub grub like pies, fish and plenty more that you can check out on its cool online menu here.

The Charles Dickens Tavern

Based solely on name alone, you know what you’re going to get at the Charles Dickens, some high quality English drink and grub. You can grab some classics like Bangers and Mash, a beef and Guinness pie, and even a Ploughman’s Plate, which is full of some British staples. It doesn’t stop there, with a massive drinks menu, with a variety of Aussie beers new and old, popular and craft.

Like all good pubs across our state, the Charles Dickens is jam packed full of sports, their massive TV putting on games of all types; AFL, cricket, basketball, and a heap more.

The Cricketers Bar

The Cricketers Bar is located within the beautiful Hotel Windsor, but can still stand strong on its own. It’s a spot dedicated to all things sports, there’s some great memorabilia lining the walls that top off the amazing meals on offer.

You can grab things like a club sandwich, classic fish and chips, and of course a porterhouse. Dive into the rest of the menu here.

On the drinks side, it’s clear that The Cricketers are champions of Wine, they’ve got an amazing drinks menu featuring wines from some of Australia’s most iconic regions, or even an amazing rosé from Pays d’Oc region in France.

The best pubs in Brunswick

The Retreat Hotel

Another staple of the Melbourne live music scene, The Retreat is just as well known for its consistency – If you’re looking for a no-thrills pub to sink a few beers, eat a pub lunch and reminisce about classic Australian soap operas from the 1980s, this is the place. Judging by the amount of folks in the beer garden each weekend, that seems to be a regular plan. Their menu is full of the pub classics like Burgers, Parma’s and Pies, so you’re bound to find something you’ll like.

It’s well known for its amazing Sunday roast (and roast sandwich). While pub roasts are pretty standard, this one is like no other, featuring succulent meat with all the fixings and plated beautifully. Expect to leave stuffed.

The Retreat embodies this throwback aesthetic. Built in 1846, it hasn’t seen a whole lot of change over the last 150 years – it’s like taking a step back in time. Maybe The Retreat is stuck in some sort of space/time warp? One that appears to be inhabited by many bars and hotels located north of the city. But even by Melbourne pub standards it’s old fashioned – and therein lies the appeal.

Union Hotel Brunswick

Another old school joint on our best pubs in Melbourne list can be found at 109 Union St, Brunswick, it’s the aptly titled Union Hotel.

It’s an awesome place, but there’s no doubt It’ll take you back to those days where you’d be a kid spending your time in the playground a local pub. It’s got all those pub classics you know and love like steak sandwiches, chicken parmas and fish and chips. Their extensive range of wines is pretty impeccable too, from all around Australia and beyond. Much alike all of the popular venues in Brunswick, the Union has a selection of live music on a regular basis.

The Penny Black

Coming out of an ex-post office, the pub known as The Penny Black is another establishment which has mastered the pub fare. A big part of their business is also focused on putting on functions – they’ve got a range of pretty reasonably priced packages if you’re looking for somewhere to hold some great parties without the fuss of taking care of your own home.

The best pubs in Fitzroy

The Rochester Hotel

According to their website, this pub is dedicated to bringing customers three things: Eating, Drinking and Partying. Generally speaking, they’re great at achieving the above, and with a menu that covers Dim Sims, Schnitzels and finger foods, you’ll definitely find something you like.

And as seems to be the case with a lot of bars and pubs on this list, The Rochey’s got some awesome cocktails, featuring a great selection of old classics like Aperol Spritz.

The Workers Club

You can’t have a list of Fitzroy bars and pubs without mentioning The Workers Club. It’s been a staple of the Melbourne music scene for a number of years and has helped start the careers of some of our favourite musicians today.

They consistently put on heaps of amazing shows, hosting many performers across a variety of different genres so there’s no doubt something will be up your alley. The Workers also hold awesome pub specials and events, there’s things like the classic trivia, which happens every Tuesday at 8, and some awesome kitchen deals, which includes a $16 lunch special.

The Rainbow Hotel

This is one of Melbourne’s oldest pubs, first coming into action around 1869. They have some of the city’s best food, beer and vibes, and when coupled with some amazing service from their staff, The Rainbow is quickly becoming one of the best pubs in Melbourne.

They have a whopping 100 beers for you to enjoy, perfect for these warmer times. There’s literally nearly every type of beer, so there’s no doubt you’ll find something that’s up your alley. Of course, their food is awesome too, there’s some rare breed porterhouses, cheese steak sandwiches, and a whole heap more.

St Andrews Hotel

The St Andrews Hotel is another fantastic venue to for this list of the best pubs in Melbourne, dedicated to giving some amazing service, food and drinks to their many loyal customers. One look at their socials, and it’ll show you how amazing this place looks. They’re clearly experts in making a good-looking drink or good-looking food item.

Like all classy spots, they’re also great at curating an impeccable menu, this one featuring a full page of mouth – watering steaks. There’s things like a 350g Porterhouse direct from local producers. They’ve also got a rare Black Onyx Steak, which is sourced from a rare cattle in Queensland, that they note is perfect for those who consider themselves ‘beef connoisseurs’.

The best pubs in Carlton

The Curtin

As one of Australia’s oldest pubs, The Curtin has been a fixture of the Melbourne music scene for decades. Its homely decor and no-frills charm create an inviting space where music lovers can revel in the raw energy of live performances. The Curtin stands proudly across from Trades Hall, paying homage to a former socialist turned Labor Prime Minister, John Curtin. A haven for diverse souls, this iconic spot has attracted Bob Hawke, students, unionists, music aficionados and bands alike.

Craft beers, delectable food, pulsating live music, DJs, a lively dance floor, and hands-on staff complete its vibrant tapestry. It’s known for hosting Sonny’s Fried Chicken & Burgers, which serves up some of the tastiest fried chicken in this city. Sorry, vegetarians – that’s what I call finger-lickin’ good. The Curtin makes for one of the best pubs in Melbourne, and it’s just a stone’s throw away from Melbourne Central Station, so making it back home after a long night isn’t a hassle!

The Great Northern

Quality, absolute quality. The Great Northern is more than just a great pub, it’s an experience. With huge TVs cementing its appeal to sports fans, The Great Northern’s beer garden is a place to come together over a pint and preferably, a ripper game of footy. Oh, and they’ve even got a merch shop too.

The Clyde Hotel

The Clyde has a pretty interesting past, according to their website, there’s no info about the early architecture of The Clyde, it’s a mysterious pub that’s quickly become one of the best pubs in Melbourne.

The Clyde Kitchen is one of the coolest spots for all things food, drink, and lots more. Their menu has some awesome stuff on it, like some share plates, burgers, and a whole lot more.

The Lincoln

If you love amazing food and high-quality drinks, look no further than The Lincoln. Their menu features mouth-watering steaks, whole flounder, and many more that you can check out here.

They’re also lauded for their amazing beers on tap, currently featuring beers like a Cereal Milk Stout, Cherry Sours, and a whole lot more. The Lincoln’s also highlighted the importance of booking in, which you can do here.

The best pubs in Preston

Tallboy & Moose

A must visit for any discerning craft beer aficionado, Tallboy & Moose is situated near the border of Preston and Thornbury. Who do you have to thank for this establishment? Tall Dan and Canadian Steve of course!

An industrial style venue, with beer vats up the back, Tallboy & Moose opened in 2016 and has a vast offering of craft beers including stout, ale, sours, pilsner, pale ales, lager and even seltzer. Take away tinnies and a small wine and cocktail list are also available. Beer lovers can perch themselves on polished timber benches beneath hanging plants inside or pull up a seat in the courtyard. Lunch and dinner are covered with Wee Man’s Kitchen, serving up pub grub and some Scottish classics, including homemade haggis and black pudding.

Moon Dog World

A repurposed former fabric manufacturing factory-turned-brewery from the folks behind the Abbotsford craft brewery from which it takes its name, Moon Dog World houses a wide range of bevies and a bloody indoor lagoon. Yes, you heard right – an indoor-freaking-lagoon. Suffice to say, this isn’t your typical pub. With a heavy emphasis on craft beer, it houses a whopping 72 taps, yet still doesn’t skimp on food too.

A playground for adults complete with all the craft beer you could want, the expansive brewery also features an arcade room, a shipping container dedicated to discos, and room for 725 punters. With a tiki bar, deck chairs by the lagoon, and a distinct tropical vibe, Moon Dog World is Melburnians’ answer to beers by the beach, all year ’round.

The best pubs in Northcote

Wesley Anne

If you’re a music fan in Melbourne, there’s no doubt you’ve come across the Wesley a couple of times in your travels. They’re a laid-back pub with equally laid-back staff, who are always keen to give you the best service they can. You can grab some mouth-watering grub at this spot, everything from gnocchi to steak. What’s not to love? Like all good pubs, there’s some pretty ace specials at the Wesley, to name a couple, every Monday there’s roo and wine for an easy $24.99, or every Wednesday, you can grab a Pie and a pot for $24.99. Dive more into the world of the Wesley here.

Northcote Social Club

The Northcote Social Club has been a pillar of live music in the north since 2005. The original venue, previously known as The Commercial Hotel, dated all the way back to 1854, supposedly born as a rough and ready refuge for teamsters and bullock drivers. That couldn’t be further from its modern iteration – sister venue to the iconic Corner Hotel, the bandroom hosts a diverse mix of genres, local talent as well as national and international touring artists of all genres.

In the leafy-green and natural-light filled beer garden, you can also tuck into their food menu, previously boasting Michelin-trained chefs in their kitchen turning the dial up on traditional pub fare. A cursory glance reveals marinated olives, edamame and cheese croquettes and smoky miso baba ghanoush. If you work nearby, there’s also the Monday night parma special for an affordable $20.

Peacock Inn Hotel

The Peacock brings a modern spin to some old school pub vibes. Their menu features some cool stuff like a Western Plains pork belly, a Japanese veggie stir fry, and even an always changing curry of the day. This is only the tip of the iceberg, check out the rest of their menu here. They’re also keen live music fans, chucking on a killer gig every Wednesday, which comes along with some dirt cheap drinks deals too.

Welcome to Thornbury

No it’s not a mistake, this spot is called Welcome to Thornbury, but has a Northcote-based address. It’s a killer beer garden that has Sunday arvo written all over it. They’ve partnered with a bunch of food trucks, each day a different culinary experience making its way to Welcome to Thornbury. There’ll be things like burgers, cheese steaks, calamari, even a food truck dedicated to nuggets. On the drinks end of things, they’ve got some trendy beer and wine on offer, check out their stacked list here.

The best pubs in Collingwood

The Grace Darling

One of Melbourne’s oldest pubs, this two-storey bluestone beauty has called Smith Street home since the 19th century. A Melbourne institution, The Grace Darling is both a live music hotspot and a laidback space for dinner and drinks. From the atmospheric, candle-lit bar to the speakeasy-style bandroom in the basement, this old pub is so damn striking.

The Bendigo Hotel 

 

Collingwood’s home of metal, punk, and rock’n’roll, The Bendigo Hotel is a rough-as-guts pub where you can catch raucous gigs most nights of the week. Don’t be dissuaded by its gritty facade, The Bendi is as welcoming and inclusive as they come.

The Gem

Taking out the title of my dad’s favourite pub, and also one of the best pubs in Melbourne, largely due to the unpretentious vibe and affable bar staff, The Gem is Collingwood’s own little slice of Americana. A homage to the honkytonk bars of America’s southern states, it’s fitted out with ranch-style furniture and shrines to Elvis Presley. For a generous happy hour, Texas-style BBQ and one of the meanest Bloody Marys in town, The Gem’s the way to go.

The Fox Hotel

A truly traditional Melbourne pub, The Fox is a no-frills watering hole with an expansive offering of Australian booze and uncomplicated pub fare. Friendly, cosy and effortlessly eccentric, this converted pub is just bloody charming.

The best pubs in Footscray 

The Vic Hotel 

Revitalised by the same peeps who transformed the Builders Arms Hotel in Fitzroy, the Victoria Hotel is a throwback to the pubs of yesteryear whilst maintaining a contemporary feel. Greeted by an enormous ringed bar, The Vic is a place for both young and old, and is somewhere you can enjoy a few drinks and some quality food, either inside or within the quaint beer garden.

The best pubs in Richmond

The Corner

Oh, how we yearn. Some of Melbourne’s greatest gigs, banging food and a sprawling beer garden. The Corner’s been a staple of all our lives in some way shape or form over the years. It’s flat-out fantastic – they truly have it all. Footy, music, and right near a station? Can it get any better?

The Leadbeater Hotel

The Leady is a traditional Richmond pub favourite with billiards, trivia, a classic pub menu and an impressive 350-400 capacity bandroom that plays host to regular gigs throughout the year. It’s definitely one of the best pubs in Melbourne, and they’ve got quality pub feeds to back it up.

Harlow 

Harlow is the ideal pub/bar to kill some time before your event, gig or party. They’ve got a rad rooftop where you can enjoy some bevs as the sun goes down, which is a pretty unforgettable experience. They’re open from 12 most days and have a heap of tasty menu items always on the go.

There’s also a cool bottomless boozy lunch they have on the weekend, which is exactly how it sounds – for $59, you get a lunch item and 2 hours of bottomless booze, which sounds like a great way to spend one of these upcoming summer days. Check out more info about the bottomless boozy lunch here.

The best pubs in South Melbourne

The Golden Gate Hotel

The Golden Gate Hotel has been up and about for over 150 years now, so it’s got pretty good at its craft. This place has lovely and relaxed charm to it, whilst throwing out some amazing meals and crispy cold beers. The meals are big too, so if you are hungry this joint is a pretty good stop. Did I mention they run $20 lunch specials as well. That’s a big win.

Outside of good booze and great food, Golden Gate will also keep you occupied on a weeknight too, it has a nightly happy hour for the thrifty drinkers, and Wednesday and Thursday nights are host to Drag Queen Trivia and a Jazz night respectively. Go have a look.

Limerick Arms Hotel

The Limerick Arms has been servicing the Clarendon St crowd for 160 odd years now and is still going strong. If you are chasing a feed, steak is their forte or their “heart” as they claim, so it has to be good. This place is also perfect for the beer aficionado, with 16 different craft brews on tap for you to match with your steak if you’re not the red wine type.

The other thing Limerick does well is live sport, if your team is on the TV but you feel like getting off the couch, this place is perfect with big screens and plenty of seats to settle in and cheer on your team.

The best pubs in South Yarra, Prahran and St Kilda

The Osborne

The Osborne takes the coolest parts of pubs and chucks it into a pretty sick modern experience. Their outdoor fireplace makes the spot a great joint to head to year-round, so you can enjoy their killer pub grub like parmas and tacos.

There’s also a regular Japanese inspired bottomless brunch at The Osborne, for an easy $60, you can get two hours of beverages and share plates, check out the Bottomless brunch menu here.

The Village Belle Hotel

The Village Belle is yet another old school dig, opened since 1891. It’s a heritage listed spot, focused on bringing you high quality beer, wine and food.

Like all good Melbourne pubs, the Village Belle have a few different spaces around their venue; there’s a Garden restaurant for some chilled food, and a Balcony bar to enjoy a drink with a view. They’ve got some great food too; arancini, pizzas and Parmas, plus a heap more that you can check out here.

The Flying Duck Hotel

The Flying Duck Hotel brings the best of the local pub you grew up with and mixes it with styles that are getting popular in Melbourne, hence its inclusion among the best pubs in Melbourne. There are a few different spots inside for you to enjoy a meal and bev in; there’s a front bar, main bar, lounge and duck room, the latter being the ideal spot for holding a party in.

The spaces don’t stop there, outside’s got a beer garden, a beer hall called the tent and an undercover area called the glass house, that will go down as possibly one of the nicest in Melbourne.

On the food side, they’ve got everything you’d expect, but with a cool twist – like a parma but eggplant, a pasta but prawn fettuccini, plus lots more you can check out here. Their ordinary parma is also a thing of beauty. So you know you’ll be getting your money’s worth here.

Prince of Wales Hotel

Nestled on the corner of Fitzroy and Acland St, the Prince of Wales is a staple of the St Kilda pub scene, and definitely deserves to be on the list of the best pubs in Melbourne. Their menu has all the classics you know and love; opening pretty early every day, they offer breakfast staples like the Melbourne classic Avo on toast, and in terms of main food – they’ve got a wood fired grill ready for cooking sirloin, rump, lamb, chicken, and more that you can check out here.

They’ve got some awesome local beers on tap too, to name a few, they feature brews from Bertie, Byron Bay Brewing and Nagambie Brewery.

The best pubs in Frankston

Pier Hotel 

Having undergone a recent face lift the Pier Hotel is going as strong as ever as one of Frankston’s most frequented pubs. There is a strong reason for this too, this place is like 2 or 3 separate venues all wrapped into one.

The main spot we’ll be focusing on is the Front Bar – your standard pub type vibe. A massive drinks list, big screen TV’s, heaps of seating and a quick and easy pizza and snack menu to choose from. Front Bar is the perfect little area to head to with some mates on a weekend arvo to grab a drink, feed and settle in and watch your favourite team bounce around on the TV.

The Cheeky Squire

You may have pieced this together already thanks to name, but The Cheeky Squire is an official brewhouse for none other than James Squire brewery. It only seems like yesterday that James Squire beers first made an appearance, but they are quite historic and have become a mainstay of Australian pubs and bars. The venue itself stays true to that James Squire persona maintaining a sense of its history and by telling the James Squire story, from convict to Australian brewing legend. You can learn about all of this whilst enjoying a beer and a feed. The feed is the other thing we have to touch on here, the menu is large, and the food is amazing. Just check out their Instagram to see some of the incredible dishes on offer.

The Grand Hotel

The Grand Hotel is the venue on this list that has the real sports club/RSL type vibe. We are talking a huge spacious joint, with sports bar, bistro and even a rewards club if you become a member. Have the grandparents tagging along for the arvo, The Grand should be your choice, they will love it here.

Beers are cold and cheap and though I say this place has a club bistro feel, the food plays a lot better than that trust me. The menu is full of your modern Australian classics, but they are all put together with a fine dining flare. A beautiful cut of steak, paired with a Rutherglen Shiraz wouldn’t look out of place here. The Grand Hotel is perfect for birthday lunch or dinners when you have a larger group and want to hang around for a few beers afterwards.

Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.