The Best Pubs in Melbourne

Anglers Tavern has the picturesque Maribyrnong River as its backdrop, and we do love a pub with water views! It offers a large atrium bar, restaurant, sports bar, function rooms and a massive beer garden, allowing you to bring your best fur friend along. Basically, whatever mood you are in, there is a spot that will serve you a beer to match at this pub.

There is a range of food and drink specials, including oozy Garlic and Cheese Cob Loaf, that is worth gathering the crew for. You can pair this with the giant Canadian Club 2.2L Towers that come with free beanies!

The team keep things busy with live music, poker nights, trivia nights, live sport, Sunday roasts, and Friday night RnB jams. There’s always something enjoyable happening, and plenty of great pub food and cold beverages to accompany the fun.

The iconic Auburn Hotel in Hawthorn was established in 1888, and the heritage style of the building still remains matched with Victorian décor, which melds perfectly with a modern, stylish bar and lounge facilities. The huge outdoor courtyard is the perfect spot to enjoy a mouth-watering array of contemporary meals and pub classics while you sip a froth.

There is also an extensive wine list to pair with steaks and produce from Cape Grim!

Beer DeLuxe Fed Square is a popular spot for gatherings all of the types, possibly due to its perfect central location in the Square itself. Many consider it to be a fun secret in Federation Square, stumbled upon by happy passers-by who need their thirsts quenched from a big day in the city.

From live music to tap takeovers from breweries around the globe, Beer DeLuxe Fed Square offers much more than just a convenient meeting spot. For example, this is the home of sport for those who didn’t get tickets to the actual games down the road at the MCG or Rod Laver. AFL lovers can watch every game here, along with all other major sporting events.

Hang out on the deck, soak up the sun in the huge beer garden or pop inside to marvel at the many beer taps on offer. This may be your new favourite watering hole in the middle of the CBD.

Tucked away in the back streets of Prahran is a little gem called the College Lawn Hotel, which is decked out with a lounge, public bar, bottle shop, restaurant, courtyard, and one surprisingly huge beer garden.

All of the standard pub inclusions can be found here, from happy hours to live sport, slab raffles, and even dog-friendly days. The Sunday sessions are particularly big here, with live tunes to see out your weekend.

Monday is Locals Night, then each of the other nights of the week is a different food special until we hit Happy Hour on Friday from 5-7pm. Excellent!

The European Bier Cafe is located in the perfect spot for some rooftop city views, and from comedy to live sport and music, there is always plenty happening. Spanning four levels, this pub has one of the largest selections of European bier in Melbourne, and it all washes their pub classics menu down perfectly.

The huge rooftop overlooks Exhibition street and is equipped with a big screen for the game. You’ll also catch football, basketball and AFL games whenever they are on here.

Happy Hours are a-plenty with a range of food specials throughout the week that will lessen the hit on your wallet.

The Golden Gate Hotel is an iconic pub that has been around since 1853. Their modern menu (now also available via UberEats) perfectly suits this traditional pub’s relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

The pub runs a Happy Hour, lunch specials and very well-known pasta night! You’ll also find nights for trivia legends and Drag Queen enthusiasts thanks to Drag Queen Trivia, an event of pure joy.

The good vibes are a-plenty at Harlow, the iconic Richmond bar with a dog-friendly beer garden and rooftop that deserves your attention. The city views alone make it worth the trek.

Harlow is great for very, very late-night, or Sunday recovery sessions, serving up pub classics that have been given a modern twist. We’re talking pimped-up schnittys, share plates and more beverage options than you’ll possibly ever need.

There are lunch specials, free Drag Queen trivia that offers loads of prizes, bingo and plenty of food and drink specials throughout the week!

While we’ve provided a few good options for where to watch live sport in the CBD, the Imperial Hotel next to the historic Princess Theatre on Bourke Street is one of the best. It also has an incredible rooftop bar that offers spectacular views of Parliament House and the CBD.

The Imperial is one of the oldest pubs in Melbourne, but its jumbotron rooftop screen is merely one of its modern upgrades. The interior is stylish and comfortable, and the menu blends pub classics with a touch of new-age flair perfectly.

The Imperial South Yarra sits right in the heart of Chapel Street and is famous for many things, most notably its Basic B!tch Bottomless Brunch! Everything from a simple Vodka Soda through to Espresso and “Porn Star” martinis is on the menu to enjoy.

Burger and parma nights also run throughout the week. At all other times, the contemporary menu uses fresh local, seasonal produce and has plenty of options that are perfect to be shared. Gather the crew and roll on down to one of the finest spots on Chapel.

The Middle Park Hotel keeps things interesting with quality, seasonal menus that champion Victorian produce. Diverse is an understatement when it comes to their menu, which boasts intricate meals that change with the months.

All of your favourite pub classics are included, like a house-made beef burger or panko-crumbed chicken parma, but the rotating menu ensures you’ll always have something new to try.

Grab the crew for a parma and beer in the wonderful beer garden at the Newmarket Hotel, one of St Kilda’s favourite pubs. Their menu is delicious, but their claim to fame is the huge selection of beers and ciders on tap.

The AFL is always playing, and Drag Bingo takes place every Thursday Night at 6.30pm with a DJ slinging tunes when the questions are not being hilariously fired out.

​​There is nothing better than some fun in the sun via the huge outdoor area of the Prince Alfred on Church Street. This place is a Richmond institution, and the beer garden is legendary! The mouth-watering pub menu and extensive drinks list ensure there is something for everyone, and there is always a relaxed and friendly vibe about the place.

Since 1854, the Sarah Sands Hotel has been a proper local pub in the heart of Brunswick. Their Parmas are well-known, including totally plant-based options which are a great way to kick off the week.

Happy Hour runs regularly and the weekends are a lot of fun, as the large crowds that frequent the space make for some excellent atmosphere.

The home of the James Squire Brew House is the perfect spot for a mouth-watering pub meal, live sport on a big screen or, as expected, some delicious brews. This is a great city location to catch some big sporting events with a huge focus on the UFC. This is a pub’s pub, so swing on down for some super fun times.

The Duke of Wellington has been around since 1853 and is Melbourne’s oldest licensed pub. This is definitely another great option for sport, but also for some wonderful views thanks to the very cool rooftop bar. Located smack band in the middle of Melbourne’s CBD, opposite The Forum, this is a central spot that will suit all kinds of outings in the big smoke.

Speaking of the footy, if you are heading to the MCG for a game, you may be interested to know that this is the closest CBD pub to the ground, located between Flinders Street Station and the ‘G. Pop that in the memory banks for your before or after-game bevs.

If you are in Port Melbourne, pop over to Bay Street to visit The Exchange, an award-winning pub that loves to celebrate both the week and the weekends. They also have a very expansive happy hour and Fridays and Saturdays run late with DJs, discounted cocktails, cheap vodka red bulls and plenty of seltzers. If you are finishing up a day at the beach, swing on in!

Built in 1868, The Hawka has become an iconic pub that has had a bit of a refresh to include a brand-new outdoor beer garden and some huge screens for the big game. The Hawthorn is known for its live music and infamous Tightarse Tuesdays, frequented by many local students looking to save some dollars on cheap drinks, backed with epic tunes. Live music is a big deal at the Hawthorn Hotel, with solo artists and live bands all weekend!

If you want a good local, The Local is the ultimate (especially if you live in Bayside, which makes it your actual local). This cool little Port Melbourne pub epitomises everything a ‘local’ should be. They aim to be “a true Aussie local pub,” and we think they have nailed the brief.

You’ll also find a significant sports focus here, as you should as your local, with lots of UFC for those enthusiastic about a good fight night. From lunch specials to parma, trivia and wings nights, everything a good local offers is here.

Have you really had a night out in Fitzroy if you haven’t been to the Provincial Hotel. The rooftop here is legendary (and huge) and it has a cocktail menu that puts a fresh take on the classics; the perfect companion for these amazing city views.

The Station Hotel has a reputation for having the best steaks in the west but that aside, this is a friendly local pub that keeps things simple with a no-frills attitude. They offer a worker’s lunch during the week and family days on the weekend, which includes a petting zoo!

The beer taps are simple, and the menu sticks to the pub classic line without any messing around. You’ll find a huge beer garden that is perfect when the sun is out.

There’s a few key things people expect from a classic pub, and The Station Hotel offers all of them. If you want a classic Aussie pub to enjoy a froth and a meal in the west, The Station Hotel is your joint.

The Victoria Hotel has been serving Yarraville since 1873, but it’s recently received a fresh new look (and it is fancy!). The recent refurbishment means a bistro, kids play room, sports bar, bottleshop and more for a spot where you can enjoy fresh, produce-driven dishes and a very impressive range of taps to wash it all down with.

If you are looking for a lovely spot for a drink on the banks of the Yarra River, The Wharf Hotel is your spot. There are indoor and outdoor areas creating the feel of a local pub but with stunning city and waterfront views.

There are massive screens strategically placed around the venue showing all the latest sporting action and deals running almost every day of the week.