Is cricket the best sport to watch in the pub? We think so. Tapping glasses and scratching plates, while the Aussies demolish the “poms” in the background is a pleasure to the senses, but let’s not make it an expensive affair. Here are the best happy hour options to watch the Ashes, without bank statement remorse the next day. The Brisbane tests start at 3pm Melbourne time each day, making it perfect to combine with a happy hour.

The Brandon Hotel

1. The Brandon Hotel

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New publicans have brought new specials to this much loved backstreet boozer, so prop yourself on the front bar stools and enjoy $10 pints from 3pm-7pm everyday (!). Add dinner specials, a Thursday meat raffle for Day one and a great Sunday Roast for Day four and you’ve got a prime spot to watch the cricket.

The Victoria Hotel

2. The Victoria Hotel

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Sure it’s known as a footy pub, but when the sun comes out, this bonza backstreet Brunswick boozer (say that three times fast) transitions to cricket nicely with screens in the beergarden, front bar, pool room, and eating area. $18 weekday lunch which includes a beer or cider is a good way to start, then happy hour continues 5pm to 7pm. Don’t forget $18 jugs all Sunday for Day four too! STICK TO THE VIC!

The Royal Saxon

3. The Royal Saxon

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Both a weekday AND a weekend happy hour awaits at the Sax, so why not watch every day of the test match here! A notch above the standard pub fare, the Royal Saxon also has weekly lunch deals for $25 and the nightly dinner specials start at 5pm, so you can have “tea” at the same time as the players. Test match sorted!

The Fifth Provence

4. The Fifth Province

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By now you should know about Friday’s “hour of power”, where selected pints and wines start at just $6 from 3pm - the perfect viewing time for cricket - but it also has very worthy specials from Monday to Thursday too. If the Test goes to Day five (yeah right!), Mondays are home to trad sessions and $10 pints from 6pm all night long.

Three Crowns Hotel

5. Three Crowns Hotel

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Can we tell you a secret? We think the Three Crowns Hotel serves up the best pub burgers in Melbourne and they are just $17 for Day one on Thursdays! That’s just another reason to visit this West Melbourne (though it’s really North Melbourne) staple. Screens are dotted around the place and the street seating outside is a great place when the “drinks break” is on. $16 jugs everyday from 4pm-6pm and a great Sunday Roast for Day four beckons!

Grab a mate or a date (and our app), and get out there to watch the Ashes in one of these great venues.

Cheers!

THH Author

The Happiest Hour Team

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