Melbourne Three most underrated venues

LOMOND HOTEL (Brunswick East)

It's the pub many pass as they head to CERES, looking quite grandiose but with a hint of TAB from it's exterior. Inside you'll find very decent pub grub in the bar room - we suggest the steak sanga - and a bistro for more refined tastes. Their real draw card is some of the best live music this side of town. Being directly across the road from RRR radio station helps in that respect with musos often having a beer or impromptu performances. We especially like the Tuesday Irish Trad Sessions. There is a lot of pride within the pub too, as a book was published on its history, which can be purchased (or browsed) at the bar too.

ROYAL OAK (Fitzroy North)

Cruelly this was once know as the ROYAL JOKE (yes I might have coined that name decades ago). A tab pub full of old men and tradies that added very little in the community. In the last year however things have began to slowly change. While the betting facilities remain, a new bistro menu full of $12 specials has started to attract locals, and bands (including our fav band in Melbourne, the Large Number 12's) now play every Sunday arvo in the long bistro room. Service is always great and beer prices are at least 3 years behind under pubs in the area. No frills, no worries.

STAG's HEAD (Williamstown)

I could gladly live in Williamstown...there i said it. Not the Nelson Place Williamstown that tourists love to flock to, but the wide backstreets, bordered by overhanging branches of historic trees, which seems to have a pub on every third corner. It feels like a village somewhere in England. The pick of pubs is the tiny, lively, comfy, Stag's Head. A hobbit hovel where locals discuss whatever is in the news over very good pub fare - go the $12 Sunday Roast! Live tunes a few nights a week, add to its slow time charm.

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