Best Pubs Melbourne (2026): 25 Historic Classics & Craft Beer Halls
- Words
- Melbourne Tourism Guide
- Updated
- July 25, 2026
- Read
- 11 min
Best pubs in Melbourne 2026 — historic gold-rush classics, craft breweries, beer gardens, dining pubs and live-music venues. Mitre Tavern, Young & Jackson, the Espy and 22 more.
This article contains advertising. Our booking links are routed through a partner that adds commission tracking automatically, so if you book through one we earn a commission from the provider, at no extra cost to you. It never affects what we recommend. Affiliate disclosure
Melbourne is one of the world’s great pub cities. With more than 1,200 licensed pubs across the metropolitan area, the city’s drinking culture spans 19th-century gold-rush corner pubs preserved largely intact, modern craft beer pubs with 30+ rotating taps, dining-focused gastropubs serving hat-rated food, and lively backpacker bars where the schnitzel is the size of a dinner plate. Melbourne’s pubs have been part of the city’s social fabric since the 1850s and remain the most authentic place to experience local life — particularly on weekend afternoons and during AFL footy season.
This guide covers the 25 best pubs in Melbourne for 2026 — a mix of historic gold-rush classics, craft beer halls, beer gardens, dining pubs, and live-music venues. We cover what to order, when to visit, dress codes, dog-friendly options, and the best pub neighbourhoods for visitors. Whether you want a $24 chicken parma with locals on a Thursday or a craft tasting flight on a Saturday afternoon, Melbourne’s pub scene has the right place.
Best historic pubs in Melbourne
1. The Mitre Tavern (CBD)
The Mitre Tavern (5 Bank Place) is Melbourne’s oldest pub, opening in 1837 — 14 years before Victoria became a colony. The original Tudor-style cottage on a tiny CBD laneway is one of the city’s most atmospheric drinking rooms. Hand-pulled English ales, traditional pub dining (rump steak A$36, fish & chips A$28), and a beer garden that fills with after-work crowds. Open Mon-Sat from noon.
2. Young & Jackson (CBD)
Young & Jackson (1 Swanston Street, opposite Flinders Street Station) is Melbourne’s most-visited pub, dating from 1875. The first-floor Chloe’s bar holds the famous 1875 nude painting “Chloe” — a Melbourne icon and one of Australia’s most-recognised artworks. Multiple bars across three floors. Pub mains A$26-38.
3. Cricketers Bar (Hotel Windsor, CBD)
The Cricketers Bar inside the heritage 1883 Hotel Windsor is one of Melbourne’s most refined heritage pub spaces — dark timber, leather chesterfields, and cricketing memorabilia. Excellent whisky list. Cocktails A$22-30, beers A$10-14.
4. The Imperial Hotel (CBD)
The Imperial Hotel (corner Bourke and Spring Streets) is a 1860s hotel with Victorian-era interiors and an excellent rooftop garden. Pub mains A$25-38, with a strong gluten-free and vegan section.
5. The Carlton Yacht Club
Despite the name, this is a heritage Carlton pub at 142 Elgin Street — opened 1869, beautifully restored, with one of Melbourne’s best inner-north beer gardens. Excellent parmas and a strong wine list.
Best craft beer pubs
6. Mountain Goat Brewery (Richmond)
Mountain Goat Brewery (80 North Street, Richmond) is one of Australia’s pioneering craft breweries (since 1997). 24 taps featuring Mountain Goat’s signature lineup plus rotating guests. Brewery tours Friday-Saturday at 5pm, 6pm and 7pm — A$25 including 4 tasting paddles.
7. Stomping Ground Brewery (Collingwood)
Stomping Ground (100 Gipps Street, Collingwood) is a converted warehouse with a vast indoor beer hall, outdoor beer garden, and 30+ craft beers on tap. Pizzas A$22-28, sliders A$18. Family-friendly with a kids’ play area.
8. Moon Dog Wild Brewing Co (Abbotsford)
Moon Dog (270 Abbotsford Street) is the city’s most experimental craft brewery — wild ales, sours, lambic-style beers, and famously irreverent labels. The brewery taproom has 24 taps. Tours Saturday at 2pm, A$30.
9. Bridge Road Brewers (CBD)
Bridge Road Brewers’ Melbourne tap room is at 70 Bourke Street. The Beechworth-based brewery’s lineup includes Brass Monkey Hot Cross Bun ale and the cult-favourite Robust Porter.
10. The Royston Hotel (Richmond)
The Royston (12 River Street, Richmond) is a beautifully restored 1880s pub with a strong local craft program — 22 taps, all-Victorian focus. Excellent kitchen.
Best beer gardens
11. The Lincoln (Carlton)
The Lincoln (91 Cardigan Street, Carlton) has Melbourne’s best academic-pub beer garden — large, leafy, sun-trap on weekends. Excellent burger menu (A$22-26) and a strong rotating tap list.
12. The Standard Hotel (Fitzroy)
The Standard (293 Fitzroy Street, Fitzroy) is the inner-north’s classic backyard beer garden. Locals’ pub. Pub mains A$24-32. Often fully booked Saturday afternoons.
13. The Spotted Mallard (Brunswick)
The Spotted Mallard (314 Sydney Road, Brunswick) has a leafy backyard beer garden and an upstairs live music venue. Strong booking program for local indie acts.
14. The Tote (Collingwood)
The Tote (71 Johnston Street, Collingwood) is Melbourne’s most legendary live music pub. Tiny stage, big atmosphere, and a beer garden out the back. Cover charge for music nights (A$10-25); free entry on quieter days.
Best dining pubs (gastropubs)
15. The Town Mouse (Carlton)
The Town Mouse (312 Drummond Street, Carlton) is a hat-rated gastropub with seasonal modern Australian dining. Lunch sets A$45, dinner mains A$36-58. Excellent wine list focused on small Victorian producers.
16. The Esplanade Hotel (“the Espy”) (St Kilda)
The Esplanade Hotel (11 The Esplanade, St Kilda) — known locally as “the Espy” — is one of Melbourne’s most legendary pubs, dating from 1878. Renovated 2018-2019. Multi-bar venue with a rooftop terrace, beachfront beer garden, and a famous live music history (The Cure, Skyhooks, Cold Chisel all played here). Pub mains A$28-42.
17. The Albion Rooftop (Fitzroy)
The Albion (33 Smith Street, Fitzroy) has a stylish modern interior and a hat-mentioned dining program. Sunday roasts (A$38) are an inner-north tradition.
18. The Rochester Hotel (Fitzroy)
The Rochester (202 Johnston Street, Fitzroy) is an old-school pub revived with a strong kitchen — pub mains A$24-32, plus a famous chicken parma (A$28).
19. The Royal Saxon (Fitzroy)
The Royal Saxon (435-437 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy) is a 1854 pub with one of Melbourne’s most beautiful upstairs dining rooms. Sunday roasts and an extensive whisky list.
20. The Public Brewery (Carlton)
The Public Brewery (10-14 Madeline Street, Carlton North) is a converted brick brewery with hat-mentioned modern Aussie food (mains A$32-44). Exceptional Sunday lunch.
Best live music pubs
21. The Old Bar (Fitzroy)
The Old Bar (74-76 Johnston Street, Fitzroy) is a tiny intimate venue with bands 6 nights a week — A$10-15 cover. Beer A$8, classic divey atmosphere.
22. The Workers Club (Fitzroy)
The Workers Club (51 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy) hosts indie bands 5 nights a week. Tickets A$15-25; food until late.
23. Cherry Bar (CBD)
Cherry Bar (AC/DC Lane, CBD) is Melbourne’s most legendary rock bar — venue for AC/DC’s “It’s a Long Way to the Top” video and Australia’s longest-running independent rock venue. Open until 5am Friday-Saturday.
24. The Corner Hotel (Richmond)
The Corner Hotel (57 Swan Street, Richmond) hosts national and international touring acts. Capacity 800. Tickets A$30-95. The Corner Bistro upstairs is an excellent pre-gig dinner.
25. Cherry Hotel (Footscray)
The Cherry Hotel (97 Tottenham Hotspur Street, Footscray) hosts blues, jazz and roots music with a strong local-act focus. Family-friendly Sunday afternoons; gigs Thursday-Saturday.
Best pub neighbourhoods
Fitzroy
Brunswick Street and Smith Street between Johnston and Bell Streets are Fitzroy’s pub strips — 25+ pubs in a 1.5 km walking radius. Many have heritage interiors, beer gardens and live music. The Standard, Royal Saxon, Old Bar, Rochester are all on this strip.
Carlton
Lygon Street and Drummond Street form Carlton’s pub corridor. Younger university crowd; many pubs have student-budget pricing. The Lincoln, Town Mouse, and the Public Brewery are highlights.
Richmond
Bridge Road and Swan Street have several historic and craft pubs. The Royston, Mountain Goat Brewery, and the Corner Hotel are local favourites.
Collingwood
Smith Street and Gipps Street form Collingwood’s craft brewery cluster. Stomping Ground, Moon Dog, the Tote and the Birmingham Hotel are all in walking distance.
CBD
Hardware Lane has multiple pubs and bars in a 200-metre laneway. Spring Street between Bourke and Lonsdale has another cluster including Imperial Hotel, Mitre Tavern and the Cricketers Bar.
The Melbourne pub experience
The chicken parma
The chicken parma (parmigiana) is Melbourne’s iconic pub meal — a crumbed chicken schnitzel topped with napoli sauce, ham and melted mozzarella, served with chips and salad. Most pubs offer a parma in the A$24-30 range. Many pubs run “parma-and-pot” weekly specials (A$20-25 for parma + a beer).
Sunday roasts
Sunday roasts are a Melbourne pub tradition — typically A$32-42 for a multi-meat roast (beef, pork, lamb), Yorkshire pudding, root vegetables and gravy. Best Sunday roasts: The Royal Saxon, The Albion, The Rochester, The Carlton Yacht Club. Book ahead; demand is high.
Pots and schooners
Beer sizes in Melbourne: pot (285ml), schooner (425ml), pint (570ml). Most pubs charge A$8-12 for a pot, A$10-14 for a schooner, A$12-16 for a pint. Craft beers are A$2-4 more.
Trivia and pub quizzes
Most Melbourne pubs run weekly trivia nights — Tuesday or Wednesday evening, typically free entry. Quizes hosted by RoarTrivia, the Pub Quiz Show, and others. Excellent for solo travellers and small groups to meet locals.
Pub etiquette
- Order at the bar: Most Melbourne pubs are bar-order rather than table service.
- Tipping: Not customary. 10% service may be added to large groups.
- Photo ID: Required for entry to all licensed venues. Bring a passport or driver’s license.
- Dress code: Most pubs are casual; some upmarket pubs (Hotel Windsor, certain CBD) prefer smart-casual. No sporting jerseys at high-end pubs after 6pm.
- Children: Children allowed during meal hours (typically 11am-9pm) at most pubs. After 9pm, most are 18+.
- Dogs: Many beer gardens are dog-friendly (The Standard, Carlton Yacht Club, Stomping Ground beer garden). Always ask.
- Card vs cash: Card universal; cash useful for tipping in small denominations.
When to visit Melbourne pubs
Best times: Friday after-work (5-7pm) for the iconic Melbourne pub vibe. Saturday afternoons (12-4pm) for beer gardens. Sunday lunch (12-3pm) for Sunday roasts.
AFL footy season (March-September): Melbourne pubs are at their most lively during AFL home games. The MCG and Marvel Stadium pubs (Imperial, Young & Jackson, the local Richmond and Collingwood pubs) fill from 11am on game day.
Weekday afternoons: Quietest. Excellent for relaxed conversations or trying upmarket pubs without booking.
Frequently asked questions
What is the oldest pub in Melbourne?
The Mitre Tavern (5 Bank Place, CBD) is Melbourne’s oldest pub, opened in 1837 — 14 years before Victoria became a colony. The original Tudor-style cottage is heritage-listed.
What’s the best pub in Fitzroy?
The Standard Hotel (293 Fitzroy Street) is the locals’ pick for atmosphere and food. The Royal Saxon (Brunswick Street) has the best Sunday roast. The Rochester (Johnston Street) is the dive-bar choice. The Old Bar is the live-music pub.
How much is a beer in a Melbourne pub?
Pots (285ml): A$8-12. Schooners (425ml): A$10-14. Pints (570ml): A$12-16. Craft beers add A$2-4. Premium imported (e.g. Belgian) are A$14-20.
Are Melbourne pubs family-friendly?
Most are family-friendly during meal hours (typically 11am-9pm). After 9pm, most are 18+. The Standard, the Carlton Yacht Club, Stomping Ground and many others have kids’ menus and play areas.
What’s a pub parma?
A parma (chicken parmigiana) is a crumbed chicken schnitzel topped with napoli sauce, ham and melted mozzarella, served with chips and salad. Melbourne’s iconic pub meal — typically A$24-30. Most pubs run a “parma-and-pot” weekly special.
Which Melbourne pub has the best live music?
The Tote (Collingwood) for legendary indie atmosphere; the Old Bar (Fitzroy) for tiny intimate gigs; Cherry Bar (CBD) for rock; the Corner Hotel (Richmond) for touring acts. The Espy (St Kilda) is the most historic live music pub.
Are Melbourne pubs open Sundays?
Yes — almost all Melbourne pubs are open Sunday. Most run Sunday roasts and have extended afternoon hours. Some close earlier than weekdays (11pm vs 1am).
Pubs and the bigger night out
Melbourne’s pubs are a brilliant starting point for a night out, and they connect to the rest of the city’s nightlife beautifully. Many are also live music venues, so a pub session can turn into a gig, and the inner-north and CBD pubs sit close to the city’s laneway bars, cocktail bars and clubs for those who want to push on later. Round off the night with a feed from our late-night food guide. Whether the pub is the whole evening or just the first stop, it’s the quintessential Melbourne way to begin a night. For the full after-dark picture, see our Melbourne nightlife guide.
The Sunday session and pub culture
No guide to Melbourne pubs is complete without the Sunday session — the beloved local tradition of a long, lazy Sunday afternoon at the pub, often with live music, a beer garden and a parma or roast. It’s a relaxed, social institution, and joining one is a lovely way to experience Melbourne pub culture at its most authentic. More broadly, the pub is central to local life here: a place to watch the footy, meet friends, catch a band, eat well and drink good beer, all under one roof. The best Melbourne pubs balance their heritage charm with great food, craft beer and a genuine community feel. For visitors, settling into a classic pub — pot of beer in hand, footy on the screen or a band warming up — is one of the simplest and most genuine slices of Melbourne life you can have, any day of the week.
Plan your pub crawl
For a classic Melbourne pub crawl, start in Fitzroy at the Standard or Old Bar (3pm), walk Brunswick Street stopping at the Royal Saxon and Rochester, then taxi to Collingwood for Stomping Ground and the Tote. Allow 5-6 hours. For more nightlife and dining ideas, see our Melbourne nightlife guide, our best rooftop bars guide, our Melbourne live music scene, and our Fitzroy guide.