Melbourne Top 5 Universities for pubs

While courses have an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) to decide entry, we've created a PATAR (Pub Australian Tertiary Admission Rank), in deciding their entry onto OUR list. 

By Chris Canty

1. Australian Catholic University (Fitzroy Campus)

PATAR SCORE: 93.45

With no bars on campus (the rooftop garden is crying out for one), it's a good thing that ACU is slap bang in the middle of some excellent options. Venues such as Worker's Club (their Monday specials are insane), Labour in Vain (No. 18 in our Top 50 list), Fitzroy Social and the Standard (28) are a short stroll down and around Brunswick Street, with THH institutions like the Napier Hotel (4) and Rainbow (12) close by. On Gertrude St and surrounds Evies Disco Diner is a student favourite (especially their half price Tuesday deal) and the new beach beer garden of Fitzroy Beer Garden is our favourite parma plus trivia night on Wednesdays. The Grace Darling (22) and Union Club (43) both have a following too and are quality choices. Congrats on your acceptance.

The Grace Darling 

2. RMIT (Brunswick Campus)

PATAR SCORE: 87.95

Yes RMIT has a Brunswick Campus. Who knew right? It mainly specialises in "textile technologies" whatever that is, but we are more impressed with the number of pubs that surround it. Our backstreet favourite the Union Hotel (21) and the hipster-friendly Howler are close options, while on Sydney Rd the Retreat (11), Cornish Arms and Brunswick Green offer great beer gardens for ignoring group assignments. Further north the hostel slash pub Vic Hotel (32) and Edinburgh Castle Hotel (5) are two of our favourites. Congrats on your acceptance.

The Retreat

3. Melbourne University (Parkville Campus) 

PATAR SCORE: 83.35

The on-campus Tsubu Bar with it's excellent beer garden and weekday happy hour may have closed (and the Union Bar needs some work people!), but students shouldn't have worried as pubs surrounding the university such as The Clyde (34), The Prince Alfred (head to the rooftop), Last Jar, Queensberry (more specials than Aldi) and Shaw Davey Slum have easily taken up the slack. The Clyde in particular hosts around 30 University Clubs and is always busy with students either coming/going/avoiding class. The Slum put on silly happy hours like $1 pots, which fit the student budget. Congrats on your acceptance.

You might get caught up in a trad session at the Last Jar

4. RMIT (City Campus)

PATAR SCORE: 73.85

The Asian Beer Cafe has 28 hours of weekly specials catered for the student budget, while across the road their sister venue, Father's Office, has daily $1 wings and an all-you-eat on Wednesdays. If Mexican is your bag, then Mesa Verde's drink specials will wash down some tasty fare exceptionally well and Kicks is the place to go to watch sporting events in groups. Congrats on your acceptance.

Asian Beer Cafe

5. Victoria University (City Campus)

PATAR SCORE: 68.00

Student favourite, the Mill House brings the noise and the grub with $12 meals and a nightly happy hour, and of course venues around Fed Square like Clocks ("$4 schooners after class anybody?"), Transport Bar and Riverland Bar (see their events) offer a respite before getting on the train back to Pleasantville. A novel choice (especially if on a date) is Polepole, with their specials on African beers and dishes. Their Wednesday 3 course "game dinner" is the money. Congrats on your acceptance.

So there you have it. If you attend Monash Clayton, we apologise for the tease. 

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