Melbourne Top 50 Venues in Melbourne (40-31)

40. Victoria Hotel, Brunswick.

We love venues that have hostels attached to them. It gives the place some vibrancy and keeps the prices low for those staying in the nearby dorms. That's why you'll usually see the place dotted with travellers and locals alike, having pints out of those glass mugs that are getting rarer to see these days. What's not quite well known, is that this is one of the best pubs to watch AFL in town too, with a huge projection screen up on a makeshift stage. Simple hearty pub grub will keep you there for the day.

39. All Nations Hotel, Richmond.

In the backstreets of Richmond, opposite a housing commission, is one of those killer local pubs that hasn't really ever changed. We love the horseshoe bar, where one can meet with friends over a quiet pint or perhaps go solo and read the paper. The real selling point is the kitchen with better than average pub fare available, especially the steaks, which it is known for. This is also a footy pub, which was reinforced recently with Richmond's Football Club's final series. It even has a shuttle bus that takes patrons to and from the MCG (that has to be a first!). Good beer garden completes the picture.

38. Victoria Hotel, Middle Footscray

There are a few pubs in our list that could be defined as centerpiece of the community, or more basically “the local’, and this is certainly one of them. 100 metres from Middle Footscray station is the Big Tick Vic (we coined it that..just then). We love that huge rectangular bar to prop up on for a happy hour jug, which washes down a menu serving higher quality fare than normal, though their cheeseburger is simple and delicious. More pubs should do ploughman plates as well, just saying.

37. Some Velvet Morning, Clifton Hill

New owners two years ago have not changed the excellence of what is one our favourite music places in town. Not only do we name this in our top five best date venues in Melbourne, but with an eclectic range of live music most nights of the week, a menu full of Greek goodness from over the road, and some very worthy craft beer and wine happy hours, SMV is a must if in the Clifton Hill area. Local hint: Source out the tiny beer garden out the back.

36. Local Taphouse, St Kilda East.

Whereas the north has the Alehouse Project, the south is very lucky to have this craft beer destination. Although not cheap (and where are the happy hours fellas!), it does arguably have the best range of beer in the city (go the tasting paddle). In addition, the menu is a corker, especially their Beer Beef Burger, which is in our top 5 in town (we seem to do a lot of top 5s these days). It’s a German smoked beer marinated premium beef burger, with pilsner battered onion rings & beer battered frites. A popular date place too.

35. Flying Duck Hotel, Prahran.

Continuing our love for backstreet pubs, the Flying Duck is all about their beer gardens. Plural you say? Well yes, there are the long tables out the back on the right, near the pop-up bar (that has tap takeovers from local breweries in summer at great prices) and the air-conditioned atrium beer garden, for those really hot days (lord knows we’ve had a lot of them recently). Food specials midweek ease the pain on the wallet.

34. Lomond Hotel, East Brunswick.

It's the pub many pass as they head to CERES, looking quite grandiose but with a hint of TAB from its exterior. Inside you'll find very decent pub grub in the bar room – how can you not love a pub that has a RISSOLE SPECIAL on Mondays - 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.

33. Clyde Hotel, Carlton.

Climbing the rankings again this year, the Clyde Hotel is a predominately a student pub due to its proximity to Melbourne University (1 min walk). It's common to see young minds cramming in beers and parmas in between classes and the pub is the clubhouse for over 30 University groups, making it forever busy. Head up the two flights of stairs to their newish rooftop beer garden.

32. Clifton Hill Brewpub, Clifton Hill.

Extensively renovated five years ago, the Clifton Brew Pub has transformed a tired old boozer (not without its charm mind you) into a real craft beer destination, where their own brews are made on the premises. We recommend the paddle as it’s hard to keep up with their seasonal drops, though their Irish Red Ale is our favourite. We like the tables out on the road, where motorists stop at the lights with jealously in their eyes, as they watch us sink beers. We all make life choices.

31.Steam Packet Hotel, Williamstown.

While pubs argue amongst themselves who is the oldest in Melbourne, the Steam Packet quietly sits on the sidelines knowing that a pub has been here since 1839 (was replaced with this pub in 1863 after a fire). Sure Williamstown has a nice waterfront, but for us, it’s these old watering holes, which make it one of our favourite suburbs – Willy has three pubs appearing in our Top 50. This is unpretentious territory here. Great steaks and craft beer served by young energetic staff, and a few tables at the front for a streetscape that cries out stay the whole arvo.

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