Pubs have been an integral part of our culture ever since the first towns were established and grew to become cities. It comes as no surprise then that Melbourne, often considered the cultural capital of Australia, is home to some of the best pubs in the country. From classic hotel venues that host daily live music performances to bustling modern beer gardens, there’s plenty to pick from when it comes to the drinking venues in this city.
And if you’re still searching for something more, why not check out our full guide to the best restaurants and bars in Melbourne?
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Striking a fine balance between pub and restaurant, The Grand Richmond is a stylish space with a chic lounge bar, booth seating and one of the best beer gardens in Melbourne. The kitchen is open seven days for lunch and dinner and pumps out some seriously good Italian fare. Be sure to hang around on the weekends, when DJ's spin groovy tunes throughout.Read more -
Read moreThe Reymond family has put a modern spin on the old pub genre with L’Hôtel Gitan in Prahran. It’s a real family affair with Jacques and Kathy’s children Nathalie, Edouard and Antoine assisting with business administration and front of house. The comfortable, open-plan space designed by SJB Architects features a 12-seat private dining room and an outdoor patio with built-in ironbark seating. The French menu offers a rotisserie du jour, pub staples and plenty of petit options such as croquettes, dark liver parfait and housemade boudin noir and blanc.
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Read moreHospitality stalwarts Chef Geoff Lindsay (Dandelion, and previously Pearl) and Paul Dimattina have taken the helm of much-loved South Melbourne gastropub, Lamaro's. With Geoff as Executive Chef and Paul as General Manager, the duo have created a familiar and comfortable environment to relax and enjoy quality food and drinks. The Bar is the perfect spot for a casual dining experience, For larger groups, Lamaro's also offers two private dining areas that can seat from 20-24 guests to accompany the larger dining room.
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Affectionately known as the beer-lovers gastropub, Richmond's The Royston Hotel places a special emphasis on microbrews. Reminiscent of a 1950's steakhouse, the old-school fit-out is a great play on the modern pub fare menu, seamlessly blending new and old. For the beer aficionado's, there's also a rotating selection of 10 featured microbrews, making each trip to the Royston a unique one.Read more -
Read moreThe Espy Kitchen is a cocktail and rooftop bar located in St Kilda, Melbourne.
The venue serves pub food which you can eat outside while listening to live music.
Open Monday to Sunday from 12:00 pm.
Photography: Pete Dillon
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Founded in 1866, The Napier is laden with Fitzroy Lions memorabilia and a cosy front bar for local chatter. The pub is home to the legendary ‘Bogan Burger', which consists of sirloin steak, tomatoes, beetroot, caramelised onions, pineapple, bacon, Swiss cheese, chicken schnitzel, potato cake and egg in Turkish bread. Total weight: a staggering 2.715 kilograms. We hear the secret to eating it is to cut it into quarters, with an equal measure of beetroot and egg in each.Read more -
Collingwood's big heart still beats for the historic Grace Darling Hotel; the pub and restaurant at which the suburb's famous football club was first formed. Constructed in 1854 the bluestone building is one of the inner-city's last standing examples of a gold rush era hotel. The restaurant has a relaxed yet vibrant ambience and Modern Australian dishes with a contemporary twist.Read more -
Nestled in leafy North Carlton, the Great Northern Hotel was founded in 1883 and has been one of Melbourne's most popular pubs since. With a huge decked beer garden, twenty beers on tap and classic pub fare with generous weekly deals and a kids menu, this one is a consistent crowd pleaser. The bar has over over a dozen taps, including a hard to find Hand Pump, and it often stocks Feral beer, which is arguably one of Australia's best.Read more -
A North Fitzroy icon, The Empress Hotel restaurant merges the boutique grunge of Fitzroy with old-world opulence. Set over two rooms, the front bar doubles as an eating hall and bar, serving classic pub fare and a plethora of wine and beer from across Australia and New Zealand. If live music is your thing, be sure to check out the band room, constantly buzzing with fledgling acts from all over the country.Read more -
Full of character and busy with locals, The Pinnacle is an enchanting old Victorian-style, slice of pie building on a busy corner of Fitzroy North. It has earned a reputation as a go to first date place, and the beer garden is perfect for whiling away a Sunday. The food is above your average pub grub, and the rockabilly tunes make a pleasant accompaniment.Read more -
Collingwood's Gem is aptly named - a treasured local pub, it wears its rock credentials on its sleeve and offers great Mediterranean-style restaurant grub in a variety of dining settings. The seasonal menu is a real crowd-pleaser with everything from fish stew to a classic parma on offer, but stop by on Sunday's for the Texas BBQ, grilling up brisket, pulled pork and more.Read more -
Read moreThe Marquis of Lorne has been sitting regally on the corner of George and Kerr Streets in Fitzroy for more than 150 years. Restored to its former glory, the pub has embraced its history with hand-painted signs, leather chairs and steak specials. Meat is the menu's focus, but the offerings are thoroughly modern, with Pacific oysters and raw snapper sitting alongside chicken schnitzels and cheeseburgers.
