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Overview
It's official: sport in Melbourne is back. After a year of having to watch from afar, fans of all codes can once again turn out in full force to cheer their team on at Melbourne's world-class arenas. And with AAMI Park playing host to a number of different clubs and codes — including the A-League's famous Melbourne Derby — there's usually something on at one of the city's finest venues to watch live sport. It's also a short walk or tram ride to the nearby Swan Street, which in recent years has turned itself into one of Melbourne's buzziest places to eat and drink. We've put together a list of our favourite Swan Street restaurants and bars to head to after the final whistle – win, lose or draw.
UNION HOUSE
A beautiful heritage-listed pub with hearty fare to match, Richmond's Union House is run by the same team behind Fitzroy's crown jewel of watering holes, the Marquis of Lorne, so you can be sure you're in for a classic pub experience. A balanced tap list covering everything from Moon Dog's crushable lager to Boatrocker's robust, roasty stout will keep beer lovers happy, while an extensive wine list, including some natty orange options, provides something for every palate. Foodwise, expect modern gastropub fare such as a chicken schnitty with baby cos and tarragon aioli ($26), and wagyu rump cap with crumbed bone marrow, caramelised onion, silverbeet and red wine jus ($39). Union House closes at 1am on Saturdays, so you can take your time with the post-match catch-ups.
Find Union House at 270 Swan Street, Richmond.
Josh Robenstsone
NEW QUARTER
Part of the Hanoi Hannah family, New Quarter is a buzzy 80-seat restaurant serving up contemporary takes on classic Vietnamese dishes. The menu is designed for sharing, so it's a solid post-game option if you're with a group — and they're also open until 11.30pm on Saturday. The menu includes tasty starters such as the innovative banh mi finger with whipped chicken liver parfait, chicken skin and pickled qukes ($8) and beef tartare with egg yolk, beef pho jelly and anchovy tapioca crisps ($20). There's also larger plates like cha ca barramundi fillet with burnt butter nuoc mam ($32) and grilled short rib with burnt chili and charred betel leaf ($34). Wash it all down with a Stomping Ground pale ale on tap or a selection from the inventive cocktail menu.
Find New Quarter at 79 Swan Street, Richmond.
PUBLIC HOUSE
The team behind this sprawling venue really took advantage of the 2020 lockdown, extending what was initially supposed to be a short upgrade renovation into an 18-month, $3 million overhaul. Spread over four floors on the corner of Swan and Church Streets, the space boasts three separate rooftop sections, offering an internationally inspired menu of street food, craft beer, cocktails and an extensive wine list. The ground-floor bar offers all the comforts of a traditional boozer, with plenty of space for casual walk-ins, while the second floor is geared towards functions and events. The major flex of this venue, however, is the double-tiered rooftop garden, offering spectacular 360-degree views of the CBD skyline and surrounding suburbs, which you can soak up until 2am on a Saturday night.
Find Public House at 433-435 Church Street, Richmond.
SAINT URBAN
Open until midnight on Saturday, the cosy but bustling Saint Urban is a quintessential neighbourhood wine bar. A concise seasonal menu of sharing dishes might include plates like crumbed quail with serrano ham, goats cheese, peas and mint ($24) and the grass-fed Cape Grim black angus porterhouse with chimichurri, persian feta and compressed watermelon ($44). You can also let the kitchen team decide for you with the $75 banquet selection of small and large plates. As for the drinks, wine is the preferred tipple here with some great local and international options available by the glass and bottle, alongside a fun cocktail list of signatures and classics, while a concise list of beers and ciders is also available.
Find Saint Urban at 213 Swan Street, Richmond.
FARGO AND CO
Housed in a former bank, Fargo and Co is an impressive space that exudes both old-world and new-world charm, with a snazzy rooftop bar that stays open until 1am on Saturdays. Comfort food is the name of the game here, with the menu of burgers, bowls, fried and grilled chicken and caviar making a great post-game shout — think Cheezel-crumbed mac and cheese ($12) paired with a whole fried chicken ($38) and a selection of sauces and pickles. There are also a number of plant-based options that are just as indulgent, like roasted cauliflower ($15) with house pickles. Wash it down with a selection from the killer cocktail list, innovative house shots, or one of the 14 tap beers.
Find Fargo and Co at 216 Swan Street, Richmond.
COCHIN
Head to Cochin for French-Vietnamese sharing dishes served up in a setting that manages to perfectly strike a balance between smart and casual, with its mixture of high and low seating, dark wood interior and moody lighting. Start with the tom chien com, prawns in a green rice batter served with pineapple mayonnaise ($18 for three pieces), before tucking into the shaking beef, which sees cubed eye fillet wok-tossed with onion, capsicum, garlic and black pepper in oyster sauce ($38). Sides run the gamut from chilli-dusted french fries ($10) to Vietnamese-style fried rice with shrimp and lap cheong ($16), while an extensive wine list of Australian and French selections will keep the good times going.
Find Cochin at 256 Swan Street, Richmond.
Head to one of these great Swan Street venue after this weekend's Melbourne Derby. Head here to buy tickets.
Top image: Public House