The Best Pubs in Melbourne CBD for a Bevvy and a Bite

For many Melbournians, popping into a pub is the best way to unwind on the weekend, or after a hard day at work. With a casual, fuss-free vibe, these humble haunts beckon us to come in and relax with the help of an ice-cold bevvy and a crispy schnitty, or fare that’s on the fancier side. The city’s pub scene is packed with everything from old-school boozers and gastropubs to beer gardens, rooftops and party pubs.

So next time you’re in need of a beer and a break, head to one of the best pubs in Melbourne CBD.

Waterside Hotel

After eight years under wraps, The Waterside Hotel makes its grand return this November — and Melbourne, she’s had work done. The 1925 heritage beauty has been reborn as a seven-level playground of dining, drinking and downright decadence, from the ground-floor public bar to the rooftop terrace with skyline views. The jewel in the crown? PAST/PORT, a three-level South-East Asian restaurant by chef Sarah Chan (ex-Mya Tiger, The Espy) serving spice, soul and scene. A city classic, reborn with attitude.

Opens week of November 10th

508 Flinders Street, Melbourne

Le Pub

At Le Pub, history meets hedonism in the most Melbourne way possible. Housed in a heritage building on Little Bourke Street, this reimagined classic from the Kirk’s Wine Bar crew brings European flair to the humble pub. Expect golden schnitzels, oxtail-and-snail pies, and market fish that could hold its own in Paris, all paired with retail-priced wines and craft brews you can sip in or take home. It’s elegant without attitude, casual without compromise, and absolutely worth lingering over.

380 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne 

Hickens Hotel

Melbourne’s former Crafty Squire on Russell Street has levelled up as Hickens Hotel — literally. After a $12 million glow-up, this four-story icon now serves nostalgia on tap, with a copper tank-fresh Carlton Draught bar dripping 70s rumpus vibes and a rooftop that’s pure golden hour goals. From Cheese & Vegemite Garlic Bread to sticky honey chicken and crab ‘fish fingers,’ the menu slings classic Aussie pub hits with playful flair. Sports junkies will worship Abe’s Athletic Hall: think massive screens, arcade games, and karaoke madness.

Hickens Hotel? More like the city’s new out-of-work hours pulse.

127 Russell Street, Melbourne

Quarterhouse

Smack in the thick of the CBD at Southern Cross Station, Quarterhouse is Melbourne’s gleaming new three-level pub built for the big crowds and bigger appetites. On the ground floor, it’s all about modern pub classics — parmas, steaks with umami butter, and a blue cheese-laced signature burger — served beside a mammoth 4-metre LED screen. Upstairs, you’ll find a sunlit terrace and event-ready function spaces, while the rooftop promises city views and cocktail clout.

Slick, spacious, and seriously versatile, Quarterhouse is Docklands’ new go-to for everything from after-work pints to weekend sessions watching the footy with friends.

Sitchu Tip: Their Sunday Roast is one of the best in the city.

693 Collins Street, Docklands

The Drunken Poet

Just a jig from the CBD, The Drunken Poet is more than a pub — it’s an institution. Tucked beside Queen Vic Market, this West Melbourne staple brims with Irish soul: dim-lit, whiskey-warmed, and alive with song six nights a week. The walls pay tribute to great poets, the Guinness is textbook, and the welcome always genuine. There’s no kitchen flair here — just a perfect toastie, a flawless pint, and the kind of charm you can’t manufacture. A must-visit for any pub lover worth their salt.

65 Peel Street, West Melbourne

The Lincoln

Just a stone’s throw from the CBD, The Lincoln is an old-world charmer — pint in one hand, pedigree in the other. Pouring since 1854, it wears its history well: Art Deco bones, polished brass, and the gentle hum of proper pub life. But this isn’t merely a nod to the past. The kitchen turns out food that’s bold, unpretentious, and deeply satisfying — devilled eggs, scamorza and garlic shoot croquettes, schnitzel with herb butter, beef and red wine pie, Sunday roasts with Yorkshire pud, and house-made pickles. A rare pub where the beer’s cold, the wine’s sharp, and the food steals the show.

91 Cardigan Street, Carlton

Morris House

Once the European Bier Cafe, Morris House has had a $4-million glow-up and now wears the crown as one of the CBD’s slickest pubs. Four floors, four moods: comedy in the New York-style basement, refined dining at street level, live music one up, and skyline cocktails on the lush rooftop. Order the Iced VoVo margarita — yes, it’s a thing — with house-made focaccia and burrata piled with pickled vegetables.

120 Exhibition Street, Melbourne

The Mitre Tavern

The Mitre Tavern is Melbourne CBD history you can drink in. Set within the city’s oldest surviving building from the 19th century, it feels worlds away from the office towers outside. Inside, there’s dark timber, cosy corners and a lively bistro turning out juicy burgers and steaks with just the right amount of char. Outside, the leafy beer garden fills with after-work crews and long-lost mates regrouping over pints.

Step through those weathered doors for classic pub fare, cold beer and a wonderfully old-world English tavern atmosphere.

5 Bank Place, Melbourne

The Natural History Public Bar 

Hidden in plain sight on Collins Street, The Natural History Public Bar is equal parts grandeur and grit — a pub that leans into nostalgia and nails it. The interiors feel like a museum after dark: red-and-black tiles, stained glass, and a sweeping 15-metre diorama of mountain goats and birdlife watching over the crowd. The menu is pure comfort with polish — steaks, parmas, and golden fish and chips — served alongside weekly specials and trivia nights that pull in the after-work faithful. Melbourne heritage, with a twinkle in its eye.

401 Collins Street, Melbourne 

The Sherlock Holmes

A true gem of Melbourne’s pub scene, the Sherlock Holmes Inn brings a touch of London to Collins Street. Slip downstairs and you’re in another world, all warm timber, low ceilings, and 19 taps pouring everything from crisp lagers to proper British ales. The menu leans hearty: Sunday roasts, golden parmas, and homemade pies that feel like a hug. Upstairs, Dr Watson’s Bar adds a touch of polish — cocktails, finger food, and a front-row seat to the city’s constant buzz.

415 Collins Street, Melbourne 

Captain Melville

For over 150 years, Captain Melville has been Melbourne’s oldest public house, welcoming revelers with its iconic bluestone walls and impressive selection of classic and unique brews. Satisfy your cravings with elevated pub grub, including Korean fried chicken wings, pasta, parmas, and curries, then head upstairs to Loch and Key, a cosy hideaway with warm wood finishes and intimate booths for private chats.

Open until 5am on weekends, it’s also the perfect spot for late-night fun. 

34 Franklin Street, Melbourne

Garden State Hotel

The popular, four-storey Garden State Hotel is a lush oasis and one of the best pubs in Melbourne CBD. Glowing spherical lights and full trees bloom from within their central atrium, while vines and planters make the whole place feel like a magical indoor garden. An intimate cocktail bar downstairs and sprawling spaces above mean plenty of cosy nooks to hide away in, even as the hotel reaches heaving capacity towards the end of the week.

101 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Imperial Hotel

The best pubs in Melbourne CBD consistently draw a crowd and this laid-back spot is no exception. The first two floors are made at the Imperial Hotel are made up of a sports bar, dining room and large function space with picturesque views of Parliament House. Climb another set of stairs, and you’ll reach the rooftop bar. With panoramic views facing Parliament, it’s ideal for date nights and friendly catchups, complete with delicious share bites and sun-soaked seating.

2-8 Bourke Street, Melbourne

The Mint

Blending history with contemporary energy, The Mint stands as one of Melbourne’s oldest pubs and proudly boasts the CBD’s largest beer garden. Located on William Street, this local favourite serves up cheeky happy hours, great meal deals and free trivia nights that keep things lively. The real highlight is the ‘pie of the week’ — think beef, bourbon and sage or chicken, white wine and sweet corn. Pair it with a cold drink, round up your friends, and settle in for an easy-going afternoon.

318 William Street, Melbourne

Saint & Rogue

With its character-laden charm, the centuries-old Saint & Rogue delivers relaxed sophistication with ease, and a cracking menu to match. Serving comfort food with an upmarket flair, it’s one of the top pubs in Melbourne CBD for those seeking a refined take on classic public house dining. The space oozes old-world elegance with dark timber, warm lighting, arched windows and attentive service that make it effortlessly inviting. Enjoy a leisurely meal or drinks with friends as tradition meets modern flair in the heart of the city.

582 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

The Duke of Wellington

Occupying prime real estate on the corner of Flinders and Russell Streets, the city’s oldest licensed pub is also one of the best in the Melbourne CBD. Established in 1853, The Duke of Wellington has plenty to offer — a wine bar, dining hall, multiple lounges, and a newly opened rooftop made for sunset drinks.

On the menu, you’ll find classics done right: the signature parma with crinkle-cut chips and slaw, a juicy 300g Darling Downs scotch fillet with zesty aioli, and the timeless 1853 cheeseburger. Pair it with a cold tap beer, a local drop, or a seasonal cocktail and settle in — this Melbourne icon needs to be enjoyed at least once in your lifetime.

146 Flinders Street, Melbourne

Worked your way through the best pubs in Melbourne CBD and looking for somewhere to eat? Be sure to check out our list of the hottest new restaurants around the city. Keen to head home and kick it on the couch? Your favourite eateries have you covered with the best takeaways and dessert delivery for the ultimate sofa-fuelled feast!