Live and Loud: Nine Melbourne Pubs to Catch the 2025 AFL Grand Final
From rooftop viewing parties to sprawling beer gardens and bottomless banquets, here's where to catch every second of the action.
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Melbourne comes alive on AFL Grand Final day — and while nothing beats being at the 'G, the city's pubs and bars know how to throw a party on the last Saturday in September. From rooftop viewing parties to sprawling beer gardens and bottomless banquets, there's no shortage of places to cheer on every second of the action. Whether you're keen on a lively crowd, a sit-down feast, or just looking for somewhere to catch every kick, mark and goal with a cold one in hand, these venues have your game day sorted.
The Terminus Hotel
Abbotsford's Terminus Hotel is gearing up for a huge Grand Final Saturday with the return of its annual Grand Final Day Block Party. Catch every second of the action from a massive outdoor screen with a siren-to-siren premium bottomless drinks package and roaming canapes to keep you fuelled. Plus, live entertainment will keep the energy high long after the final siren. Find out more at the venue's website.
Garden State Hotel
Flinders Lane favourite Garden State knows how to throw a party, and this Grand Final day will be no exception. There'll be free-flow tap beers and house wines from 1.30pm, roaming canapes, live music at halftime and DJs spinning well into the night — and plenty of massive screens around the venue. Tickets guarantee you access but not a table, so get in early to nab one before they're gone. Find out more at the venue's website.
The Duke of Wellington
Melbourne's oldest licensed pub is covering all the bases this Grand Final day. Doors open from 9am for hearty pre-game counter meals, before all the action plays live and loud on screens on all three levels. The rooftop comes alive post-match, with acoustic sets from 5pm and DJs taking over from 8pm until late. To find out more and book your spot, head to the venue's website.
Zennieshia Butts
Hickens Hotel
Having swung open its doors just a few weeks ago in the former Crafty Squire site, CBD newcomer Hickens Hotel is going all in for its first Grand Final. Live music and DJs get things started on Thursday and Friday night, before a 10am start on the day of the big dance. A live duo in the Carlton Bar will set the mood pre-game, while a live band in Abe's Athletic Hall keeps the energy high after the siren. Table and booth bookings are also available for prime vantage spots. Find out more at the venue's website.
Hotel Esplanade
Do Grand Final day your way at The Espy. For a loud and lively vibe, The Gersh is throwing a three-hour watch party with free-flowing bevs and roaming canapes. It's standing room only, so if you're after somewhere to settle in, the Sunroom is hosting a long lunch, while Mya Tiger is dishing up a three-course banquet with the game on in the background. If you'd rather keep things casual, the whole venue is open all day — just wander in, grab a spot, order a cold one and catch every bump and tackle across the venue. To book your spot, head to the venue's website.
Prince of Wales Hotel
St Kilda's legendary pub is turning into a high-energy watch party this Grand Final day. Multiple screens will show every moment, while bottomless beer, wine and chef-curated canapes will flow from the first bounce. Then, keep the celebrations going with Anthems live band in the Bandroom post-game. Head to the venue's website for more information.
Brewdog Pentridge
Pull up to Pentridge for a massive Grand Final day at BrewDog. The sprawling beer garden will be the heart of the action, with bottomless beers, wines and house spirits flowing siren to siren, plus roaming canapes to keep you going. Huge dome screens will beam in every play — but with no allocated seating, it's first in, best dressed, so get down early to nab yourself a spot. Find out more at the venue's website.
Beer DeLuxe Fed Square
Fed Square's flagship watering hole is serving up two ways to do Grand Final day. Entry is free downstairs, where you'll be in the thick of the action – and in the shadows of the 'G — with big screens to take it all in. Or, upgrade to the VIP package upstairs for bottomless house beers and wines, roaming canapes and a halftime barbecue buffet. Find out more at the venue's website.
Auburn Hotel
Auburn's light-filled pub is kicking things off from 10am this Grand Final day with a Bottomless Footy Brekky — $70 for two hours of spritzes, pizza and fries. Starting later? Catch the game live across the venue, whether you've locked down a table in the light-filled Pavilion or found a spot in the leafy beer garden. After the final siren, DJs will take over to keep the party rolling well into the night. Find out more at the venue's website.
For more information on these venues and to claim credit for your order, download The Pass app.
