A mere 50-metres from the hustle and bustle of Brunswick Street, The Rainbow Hotel is home to a massive beer garden, regular live music gigs and a fireplace that roars all day and night during winter.
It's been around for 150 years, having received just enough touch-ups to keep it from falling down, but not enough to remove the many layers of charm that comes with The Rainbow.
The draught beers, wines and cocktails are all fairly standard here, but the 100-strong bottled beers list is what helps it stand out. Tell the bartenders your preferred brew styles and they'll suggest something new for you to discover. Or you could just stick to your usual Carlton draught and call it a day. Dealer's choice.
Expect the pub classics for lunch and dinner but always look out for the weekly specials — as you should be doing at any good Aussie pub.
Mondays are for burgers (all going for $18), Wednesdays are steak nights (a 250-gram porterhouse with sides will only set you back $25) and Sundays are all about the classic roast ($27 with all the trimmings).