The Coopers Inn

Overview

The Coopers Inn — a heritage-listed pub in the CBD that's been serving locals and visitors since the 1850s — knows what it's doing when it comes to hospitality. Family owned and run, The Coopers Inn has a bunch of different function rooms and spaces, a kitchen pumping out quality traditional pub fare (including vego, vegan and gluten-free options) and a main bar complete with 75-inch TV screens and surround sound for primo sport watching on a Saturday afternoon.

One of the highlights of The Coopers Inn is the weekly comedy nights every Friday. This is one of the only venues in the CBD that offers a weekly comedy night, so if you and your mates are looking for a way to get the weekend started in style, this is your best bet. Past acts have included Dave Thornton, Anne Edmonds, Celia Pacquola and everyone's favourite quiz show host, Tom Gleeson.

If you're a comedy fan then this must be one of your go-to spots. And if you haven't been to its Friday night show then you've probably been there during comedy fest, as it's also an official Melbourne International Comedy Festival venue.

After so much laughter you've likely worked up quite the appetite, and luckily, Coopers has that covered, too. Share plates and snacks include pork belly bites, buffalo chicken wings, a trio of dips with grilled bread and loaded fries with cheese, bacon and gravy. For mains, options include an eggplant parma with chips and salad, a slow-cooked lamb flatbread with salad, rigatoni with beef rags and a 250-gram scotch fillet with your choice of sauce. I am running a few minutes late; my previous meeting is running over.

There is a burger and pizza menu too, just to make sure making a choice is as difficult as possible. There's nothing funny about these pizzas, though; it's serious New York-style pepperoni with Napoli sauce and chilli flakes.