Melbourne Bars with Games and Activities for When You Want to Do More Than Just Sit Around and Drink
Sip a Shiraz over Scrabble or polish off a pot with a game of pool.
Going for a bev is one of life's simple pleasures, and the best bit is that you don't need much more that some good mates and a great atmosphere. But sometimes you want to take it to the next level — do something other than just sit around and drink. If the crazy response to the opening of Melbourne's new mini-golf bar is anything to go by, Melburnians are crying out for venues to offer more than just a cosy corner and great craft on-tap. So from bocce to arcade games to ping pong and cheap games of pool, this is where you can combine your quaffing with some quality activities.
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BarMoondrop Bar
150-156 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Guests will be greeted with touches of Chan's Chinese heritage on all fronts: from Mahjong tables serving as furniture, to Chinese hip hop and R'n'B playing through the speakers.
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PubHickens Hotel
127 Russell Street, Melbourne
Steeped in history, this four-level CBD pub offers a sprawling rooftop bar, karaoke rooms and Australia's first lounge dedicated to Carlton Draught.
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BarFlight Club
288 Russell Street, Melbourne
A nine-million-dollar fitout has transformed this two-storey CBD space into a huge darts bar.
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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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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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PubThe Sporting Globe Richmond
288 Bridge Road, Richmond
Following a $3 million revamp in 2024, The Sporting Globe Richmond is now one of the most tech-filled sports bars in Melbourne.
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BarMoon Dog Wild West
54 Hopkins Street, Footscray
Make your way through the swinging saloon doors to find bucking bulls, arcade games, pool tables, a dog-friendly rooftop, and food and drinks aplenty.
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BarEvies Disco Diner
232 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Karaoke, bingo, bottomless brunch- that's just the beginning.
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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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BarThe Thornbury Fromagerie - CLOSED
666 High Street, Thornbury
A cosy neighbourhood cheese and wine bar, with a well-stocked online store to match.
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BarMs Bartronica - CLOSED
159 Ryrie Street, Geelong
Fancy a game or two of Street Fighter, Mario Kart or even Time Crisis with your cocktails?
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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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BarJamsheed Wines
4 Albert Street, Preston
This two-storey dive bar and urban winery is located in Preston.
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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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BarMoon Dog OG
17 Duke Street, Abbotsford
The Melbourne brewing powerhouse started out life in this Abbotsford warehouse — it's worth a visit for a couple of beers and some pizza.
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BarCricketers Arms Hotel
327 Punt Road, Richmond
One of Richmond's oldest and most iconic pubs, just across the road from all the sporting action.
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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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BarDal Zotto Wines
4861 Wangaratta–Whitfield Road, Whitfield
You go-to for pizza and prosecco in the King Valley.
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BarCleveland Winery
55 Shannons Road, Lancefield
This vineyard has an underground cellar door and a lovely deck with views over the Macedon Ranges.
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BarGlobe Alley - CLOSED
1 Globe Alley, Melbourne
A rock 'n' roll Chinatown dive bar serving up free gigs and towering burgers.
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BarWillows & Wine
315 Victoria Street, West Melbourne
This cosy little wine bar is stocked with second-hand books and board games to keep you entertained while you quaff.
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BarArchie Brothers Cirque Electriq
440 Docklands Drive, Docklands
A circus-themed arcade bar from the Holey Moley crew complete with bowling, dodgems and colourful cocktails.
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BarAmelia Shaw
280 Sydney Road, Brunswick
A sleek weekend-only cocktail bar above the Retreat Hotel.
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BarB. Lucky & Sons
Level 3, Melbourne Central, 211 La Trobe Street, Melbourne
An adults-only arcade bar offering vintage games, prizes and alcoholic bubble tea until 3am.
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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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BarCommon Man - CLOSED
39 Dukes Walk, South Wharf
There's nothing common about this pub, from an ice-skating rink to raging fire pit, it's full of surprises.
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BarBar Romantica
54 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
A Lygon Street institution has been transformed into a sleek late-night Italian bar and eatery.
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BarBeta Bar - CLOSED
481 Burwood Road, Hawthorn
Forget Throwback Thursday — this bar is conjuring the nostalgic feels on Fridays.
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BarBosozoku - CLOSED
34A Bray Street, South Yarra
A Japanese biker gang-themed joint with Mario Kart battles, karaoke rooms and a dry ice spa.
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BarLulie Tavern
225 Johnston Street, Abbotsford
Abbotsford's no-frills neighbourhood warehouse bar.
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BarParadise Alley
25 Easey Street, Collingwood
A casual Collingwood warehouse bar connected to Backwoods Gallery.
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BarHoley Moley Golf Club
590 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Melbourne's insane two-storey mini-golf bar.
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BarThe Silverlake Social
198 Chapel Street, Prahran
A Prahran bar sporting a pool table, Buffalo wings and an extensive back bar of hard-to-find American booze.
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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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BarPixel Alley - CLOSED
95 Smith Street, Fitzroy
Fitzroy's retro arcade bar with Donkey Kong-themed cocktails, American tinnies and all the Street Fighter II you can play.
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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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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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BarStray Neighbour
463 - 467 Plenty Road, Preston
The new neighbour set to elevate the dining scene of Preston.
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BarPallino Bar
790 High Street, Thornbury
Play bocce in summer or cosy up with a glass of wine in winter at this High Street stalwart.
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BarThe Raccoon Club
145 Plenty Rd, Preston
With a strict 'no dickheads' policy (that they take very seriously), it really is about drinking better, not more.
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BarMr Wow's Emporium - CLOSED
97B Smith Street, Fitzroy
A purveyor of fine drinks and good times, what Mr Wow is selling, we are happy to be buying.
