Overview
Dear Mums of the world, we love you. That's what we should be saying to our Mums this Mother's Day — and if we can't say it with words, we best say it with a booking at a stellar venue.
We've got some recommendations ready to suit any preference and family group, from big family affairs to a cheeky champers brunch with just the two of you. Thank us later, but hurry up and make a booking.
Melbourne Public — Pub Classics and a Petting Zoo
If you have a large group in tow — including younger siblings, kids or grandkids — a top choice would be Melbourne Public. Not just for this sprawling Yarra-side venue's classic pub fare offerings for lunch and dinner, but because there'll be a full-blown mini farm petting zoo for the little ones to get some cute cuddling time in with baby animals between 12.30–3pm.
BrewDog Pentridge — An Exclusive Menu at One of Melbourne's Biggest Breweries
Scottish brewery BrewDog made a splash when it arrived in Australia, setting up all over the eastern seaboard, including in the massive historic Pentridge Prison site. This is a Mother's Day event you won't want to miss.
This brewery is friendly for the whole family — including the furry members — but gives the little ones enough room to stretch their legs when the grownups need a break. It offers an exclusive menu for the occasion, which ought to put a pep in any Mum's step.
Prince Alfred Hotel — Live Acoustics and Face Painting
Settled in as one of Richmond's most popular pubs and beer gardens, Prince Alfred Hotel is perfect for any larger group looking for a great lunch out with the family in the spirit of Mother's Day. She's getting the celebrity treatment here, and that starts with a glass of bubbles on arrival.
Once the bubbles are done, Mum can enjoy (and you can order) drinks at happy hour prices from 2pm–5pm. Mum isn't the only special guest; kids eat free all day. Said kiddos can also enjoy a spot of face painting, also for free, and the whole group can enjoy live music from some of the pubs' favourite acoustic performers.
The Victoria Hotel — Monthly Mum Brunches
Serving pints to thirsty Yarraville locals and visitors alike since 1873, it's safe to say that The Victoria Hotel is something of an institution. But despite the long and storied history of the pub, it's still managing to keep things fresh. That includes a brand-new motherly tradition kicking off on Saturday, May 11.
Sure, that's not Mother's Day, but it is the beginning of the new Monthly Mummy Brunches. Going forward, the second Saturday of every month will be reserved from 12.30–2pm for brunch and bottomless bubbles, plus free kids entertainment to keep the little ones busy, all for $54pp.
Trinket — Bottomless Gin High Tea
Steering away from the family-oriented offerings, the boozier offerings kick off from the intimate ground-floor bar Trinket. Here, you'll find two Mother's Day tropes: high tea and bottomless bevvies. But instead of champagne and bite-sized scones, we're getting out a classic Mum cocktail, gin and tonic, and blending it with a gourmet chef-curated high tea tray.
Garnish your G&T as you like, and nosh on six bites per guest (it's all high tea classics like sandwiches, quiches, mini cheesecakes and cannolis), all served on a cake tray. Bookings are $75pp and are available for two or more from 2.30pm.
Garden State Hotel — Grazing Boards, Bubbles and Drag Queen Bingo
This CBD pub has a wealth of experiences and memories to be made across its four storeys, each whisking you away from Flinders Lane — at least in your mind. Be it the open beer garden where quaint decorations and tall ficus trees fill the space with light and love, or the intimate Rose Garden basement bar.
Adding to the Mother's Day celebrations all over town, here in the venue's Rose Garden, you'll find a great afternoon of drag queen bingo. For $45pp, you and Mum can join the fun with a cold glass of bubbles and a moreish grazing board to share.
Morris House — Three Indulgent Courses of Dining
This multi-storey establishment boasts a reputation as an all-purpose venue and a damn fine one at that. Ranging from a sun-soaked leafy rooftop to an exposed-brick comedy club in the basement, it's everything you want in a multimillion-dollar CBD venue.
The same can be said for its Mother's Day special, everything you want for mum's special day. It's a hefty three-course lunch, starting with a seafood platter to share, then a main of your choice and a boozy NYC-style cheesecake to finish — available between 12–3pm.
Middle Park Hotel — Three-Course Feed with Complimentary Fizz
Another Melbourne standout, especially if you're keyed into the gastropub scene, is Middle Park Hotel. Be it the historical decor or the bold menu items, there's much to be said for landing on this St Kilda adjacent location. So why not make a Mother's Day booking?
For $69pp, any mum will be served a complimentary glass of bubbles before tucking into an appropriately luxurious three-course set menu lunch. If Mum doesn't need anything fancy, general reservations are also available on the day.
The Smith Prahran — Drag Comedy with Brunch and Bubbles
The last addition to this hefty list of choices might be one of the most entertaining. The Smith in Prahran is a regular pick for both bottomless brunches and drag events in Melbourne, fitting then that it's combining its two specialties for Mother's Day.
For the big day, you'll be treated to live entertainment from drag group The Jawbreakers, a brunch item to enjoy alongside and perhaps most importantly, two hours of bottomless mimosas, spritzes, wines and beers. It's all bundled for $74pp and available in two sessions at 12pm and 3pm.
For more information on any of these venues or to make bookings, visit the respective websites linked above.