The Best Bars in Melbourne with Beer Gardens and Boozy Courtyards
Save cosy pub corners for the depths of winter — it's time to drink a brew out in the open at these fab Melbourne beer gardens.
There's a short window of time in Melbourne when it's a shame to be sitting inside. Particularly if you've got a drink in your hand. Luckily, this city of ours has a plethora of primo pubs and bars with seats either in the sun, shaded by greenery or just out soaking up the fresh air.
Want a hidden courtyard in the backstreets of Collingwood? We know one. A sprawling open-air space on the southside? We've got a few of those, too. Save cosy pub corners for winter; summer is all about the Melbourne beer gardens, boozy courtyards and al fresco good times with mates.
Recommended Reads:
The Best Restaurants in Melbourne
The Best Bars in Melbourne
The Best (and Cosiest) Bars and Pubs with Fireplaces in Melbourne
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BarHotel Mexico
238 Whitehall Street, Yarraville
Hotel Mexico is Yarraville's huge group hang spot that's made for margarita-fuelled sessions.
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BarOdd Culture Fitzroy
296 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Sydney's award-winning concept bar Odd Culture has landed in Melbourne, and the local beer scene will never be the same.
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BarThe Standard Hotel
293 Fitzroy Street, Fitzroy
The bar offers a comforting retro vibe while huge beer garden is a breezy little oasis that's well worth the search.
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BarTown Hall Hotel
33 Errol Street, North Melbourne
A classic neighbourhood pub with a secret beer garden hidden out back.
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BarWelcome to Brunswick
1 Frith Street, Brunswick
The inner north's fairy-lit, dog-friendly food truck park and beer garden.
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BarBuilders Arms Hotel
211 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Andrew McConnell's refined pub offers British-inflected fare, a strong wine selection and a lovely little courtyard.
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BarThe Brunswick Green
313 Sydney Road, Brunswick
This large and welcoming watering hole is a mainstay of Sydney Road.
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BarThe Great Northern Hotel
644 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North
A pub for pub-lovers in Carlton North.
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BarMaggie's Snacks and Liquor
100 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
This isn't your average drinking den, with the crew pumping out some wildly creative eats and drinks for locals.
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BarEdinburgh Castle Hotel
681 Sydney Road, Brunswick
Brunswick's longest standing pub boasts a huge beer garden, gastro pub food and extensive craft beer list.
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BarThe Shady Lady
36 Johnston Street, Fitzroy
Make yourself at home at this dark but glittering dive bar on Johnston Street.
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BarMoon Dog World
32 Chifley Drive, Preston
This giant, very OTT brewery bar in Preston is like a boozy theme park you'll never want to leave.
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BarArbory Bar & Eatery
Flinders Walk, Melbourne
With great views and even better food, this is one platform you won't mind getting delayed on.
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RestaurantTerminus Hotel Fitzroy North
492 Queens Parade, Fitzroy North
Find your classic pub vibes in the beer garden and public bar, or head to its restaurant for a classier affair.
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BarLeonard's House of Love
3 Wilson Street, South Yarra
Drink tinnies, down burgers, dance and play pool in Leonard's lounge room-like bar.
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BarRichmond Club Hotel
100 Swan Street, Richmond
Classic pub fare meets contemporary cuisine in the heart of Richmond.
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BarMolly Rose Brewery
279 Wellington Street, Collingwood
Try a diverse range of house brews and even some cheeky beer cocktails at this cosy Collingwood spot.
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BarBendigo Hotel Collingwood
125 Johnston Street, Collingwood
Collingwood's legendary live music pub The Bendigo Hotel is back in action thanks to The Mill Brewery Crew.
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BarMilton Wine Shop
1427 Malvern Road, Malvern
The best spot in Malvern to buy a bottle to take away or enjoy a glass with a plate of cheese.
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BarThe Rainbow Hotel
27 Saint David Street, Fitzroy
Toast your outsides by the fireplace, while warming your insides with any of 100 different beers.
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BarPepe's Italian & Liquor
275 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
You'll find cheesy bowls of gnocchi, meatball pizza and giant sundaes at this 1930s New York-Inspired Italo-American joint on Exhibition Street.
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BarThe Ascot Lot
448-462 Mount Alexander Road, Ascot Vale
A beer garden, drinking hall and food truck stop for north west locals — and their dogs.
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RestaurantHotel Collingwood
376 Smith Street, Collingwood
This classic corner pub has gotten a refresh with breezy interiors, elevated pub grub and a drinks list filled with local names.
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BarTrinity St Kilda
2 Brighton Road, St Kilda
This bar, beer garden and food truck park makes its home in a historic former church hall.
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BarBrewDog Pentridge
1 Champ Street, Coburg
This global brewery's first Melbourne home is a sprawling bluestone beer haven, complete with two bars and a supersized beer garden.
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BarPilgrim Bar
15-19 Federation Wharf, Melbourne
Sip gin tea cocktails at a waterfront venue in the heart of Melbourne's CBD.
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Bar3 Ravens Brewery
1 Theobald Street, Thornbury
This backstreet gem lays claim to being one of Melbourne's oldest brewery bars.
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BarPoodle Bar & Bistro
81-83 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
A two-storey bar and bistro in Fitzroy with a sunny courtyard and crafty, Euro-accented menu.
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BarNorth Fitzroy Arms Hotel
296 Rae Street, Fitzroy North
Following a light-handed refurb in May 2024, this local pub is now party in the front bar and bistro business in the back.
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BarWelcome to Thornbury
520 High Street, Northcote
A permanent food truck park boasting a rotating menu of street food snacks.
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RestaurantThe Beehive Hotel
84 Barkers Road, Hawthorn
Hawthorn's historic 300-seat pub The Beehive Hotel was totally revamped in mid-2024.
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BarOh Loretta
324 High Street, Northcote
A Northcote wine bar with fun snacks and a dog-friendly courtyard.
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BarGreenhart Camberwell
1226 Toorak Road, Camberwell
This Melbourne wine bar is straying away from the usual European influences, instead showing how contemporary Asian food and Australian wines can be a perfect pairing.
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RestaurantThe Cornish Arms Hotel
163A Sydney Road, Brunswick
A multi-level pub with a rooftop bar serving all types of goodness day and night.
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BarCarwyn Cellars
877 High Street, Thornbury
This Thornbury stalwart has been sating northside thirsts for over a decade.
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BarNice Guys Brewery and Bar
306 Victoria Street, Richmond
A retrofuturistic brew bar with 25 taps and a leafy, heated beer garden.
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RestaurantVillage Belle Hotel
202 Barkly St, Saint Kilda
St Kilda's old-meets-new pub with a standout Sunday roast.
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BarThe Corner Hotel
57 Swan Street, Richmond
A Richmond live music institution with a banging rooftop.
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BarMiddle Park Hotel
102 Canterbury Road, Middle Park
An inviting gastropub overlooking Albert Park Lake and Melbourne city centre.
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RestaurantThe Palace Hotel
505-507 City Road, South Melbourne
This South Melbourne pub has an impressive list of craft brews.
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BarThe Local Taphouse St Kilda
184 Carlisle Street, St Kilda East
This Carlisle Street institution boasts 19 taps, two fireplaces and a sun-soaked rooftop.
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BarThe Workers Club
51 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
A quintessential corner pub with a band room that pumps most nights of the week.
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RestaurantUnion Club Hotel
164 Gore Street, Fitzroy
A local's pub hidden in the backstreets of Fitzroy.
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BarStomping Ground Brewery & Beer Hall
100 Gipps Street, Collingwood
Collingwood's expansive brewpub.
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BarCollege Lawn Hotel
36 Greville Street, Prahran
Relax on the astroturf and enjoy cheap pub grub along with ice-cold beers at this no-frills local.
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BarParadise Alley
25 Easey Street, Collingwood
A casual Collingwood warehouse bar connected to Backwoods Gallery.
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BarWindsor Castle
89 Albert Street, Prahran
Sink beers with neon pink elephants and stuffed peacocks south of the river.
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BarLulie Tavern
225 Johnston Street, Abbotsford
Abbotsford's no-frills neighbourhood warehouse bar.
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BarNorthcote Social Club
301 High Street, Northcote
Some things never change at NSC, but the menu is not one of them.
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BarJoanie's Baretto
832A High Street, Thornbury
Thornbury's cute neighbourhood Italian bar serving spritzes, cicchetti and gluten-free pasta.
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BarSwan Hotel
425 Church Street, Richmond
Glide in and grab a pint or dance away the night in this classic Richmond bar.
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BarThe Fitzroy Pinnacle
251-255 Saint Georges Road, Fitzroy North
Fitzroy North's oddly-shaped corner pub.
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BarPink Lemonade
23 Swan Street, Richmond
This concrete car park has been reborn as a colourful openair bar, beer garden and food truck stop.
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BarTerminus Hotel
605 Victoria Street, Abbotsford
The Abbotsford pub sports a classy revamp but maintains the things that matter most: beer, bingo and counter meals.
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BarNighthawks
136 Johnston Street, Collingwood
A no-fuss dive bar preserving the Collingwood of yore.
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BarThe Rooks Return
201 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Your local better watch out — The Rooks Return threatens to take its place.
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BarThe Boatbuilders Yard
23 South Wharf Promenade, South Wharf
Located right on the harbour at South Wharf, this is the place to go if you like your drinks served with a view.
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BarHotel Esplanade
11 The Esplanade, St Kilda
The revamped Melbourne music institution sports 12 bars, two restaurants and three live music stages across its six levels.
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RestaurantStation Hotel
59 Napier Street, Footscray
This Footscray pub has long been considered a go-to location for steak in Melbourne.
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Top image: Welcome to Thornbury’s beer garden.