Pubs in Melbourne

Melburnians live for their pubs. Many will have a special local where they go for a counter meal throughout the week or perhaps an obligatory roast on Sunday afternoons. Some enjoy live music or perhaps a game of pool. Most of the best pubs in town are found in the northern suburbs of Fitzroy, Fitzroy North and Collingwood, though there are a few good ones in the south if that's where you are staying.

The Napier and Rose hotels are quintessential backstreet pubs. They both offer great value for money food (the portions are huge) and there is no better place to watch the football on TV with the locals. The Napier and the nearby Rainbow hotel also have an incredibly good beer list.

The Fox Hotel has a great rooftop deck, tasty food and an impressive beer list, while the Standard Hotel has arguably Melbourne's best beer garden. The beer garden and casual vibe of the Great Britain is also very worthy of a visit, especially to taste their own beer called piss, or their light beer called piss weak.

The Tote, Esplanade, John Curtin and Empress Hotel are the best places in town to see live music, with the first two gaining iconic status for showcasing rock. The Empress features quitter shows such as folk and is known for their open microphone nights.