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Melbourne’s AFL Grand Final Weekend Guide: Where to Watch, Eat, Drink & Celebrate
Here’s your game plan for making the most of the AFL Grand Final long weekend in and around the city.
Spring is showing off, scarves are flung across shoulders, and Melbourne is thrumming with anticipation for that one day in September. Grand Final Friday gives you permission to drift through a city warming to ceremony; Saturday turns the volume up and the MCG conducts the chorus.
This guide plays concierge and co-conspirator: big screens, pop-ups, rooftops, snacks, long drinks and the after-dark glide. Book where you can, wander when you must, and let the city host you with cheek, charm and a happily hoarse voice. Sunday is for stories, recovery brunch, and bright spring air, naturally.
The Main Events
The Parade
The city’s annual love letter to football has been given a polish. Friday 26th September kicks off with DJs and emcees from 9am at Birrarung Marr, drumming up anticipation before the Toyota HiLux motorcade rolls at 10:30am (AEST). The route remains gloriously people-first: weaving through Melbourne Park Precinct, gliding over the William Barak Bridge, and spilling into Yarra Park before the teams and the Premiership Cup take centre stage at Macca’s Footy Fest around midday.
This year’s parade is more than pomp and motorcades — it’s a nod to the AFLW and AFL Open, proof that the game’s heart beats wider than the scoreboard.
Sitchu Tip: Families, plant yourselves at Melbourne Park Oval. There’s pre-parade entertainment from 9am, food, music, legends in the flesh, and a quick escape route via Richmond Station when the sugar high wears off.
Footy Festival at Yarra Park
Yarra Park’s Macca’s Footy Fest returns this year from Wednesday 24th to Saturday 27th September — free, thriving and packed with energy. Expect live music, the AFL Play Zone, giveaways, food trucks, bars, and moments with footy legends. For the first time, you can buy a Sherrin onsite and get it engraved.
Bring sunscreen, bring your scarf, and come early: Saturday gets going at dawn, and the vibe builds up fast. Kids will be wide-eyed; parents will be relieved there are seats and shade.
Fed Square’s Big Screen
Nothing beats the wall-to-wall thrill of Fed Square on Grand Final afternoon. Arrive before lunch, claim your patch, and make friends with the neighbours because you’ll sing together later. Snacks and loos are close, trains even closer. The sightlines are generous, and the sound carries beautifully. Bring layers, patience, and that scarf your team feels responsible for. The city does the rest.
Broadcasting from 12pm
The Richmond Roar
Corner Hotel Carpark
Corner misses nothing on Grand Final Day. Doors open 9am, with rooftop, front bar and Bandroom screens already buzzing. The car park livesite kicks off at 10am, complete with a huge screen, food truck and bars in tow. Inside, multiple bars hum; outside, Swan Street swells into a chorus by quarter time. After the final siren, DJ Boffa takes over the Bandroom for a late-night die-hard vibe. Walk-ups only & free entry — just get here early.
57 Swan Street, Richmond
Mt View Hotel Street Party
Mt View lifts the stakes with a street-long gathering and a giant outdoor screen. Fourteen more inside means fewer awkward neck cranes. Arrive early, hydrate sensibly, shout yourself silly, then dance. Staff keep pace, the soundtrack is crowd-pleasing, and there’s always a friend of a friend waving from somewhere unexpected.
68/70 Bridge Road, Richmond
Richmond Club Hotel
Screens everywhere, stairs to a rooftop, and DJs upstairs once the siren fades — Richmond Club Hotel is built for long days that turn into longer nights. The middle floors attract diehards; the rooftop belongs to those treating footy like cardio. Order pub classics, keep a water handy, and surrender to the Swan Street chorus.
100 Swan Street, Richmond
CBD & Southbank Screens
Marmont’s Grand Final Feast
Cali vibes meet footy fever at Marmont this Grand Final Day. From 2pm, the game streams across big screens while the kitchen rolls out one-day-only snacks — buffalo wings with blue cheese, Marmont’s spin on hot dogs and more. Swing by for the sport, stay for the energy; this South Yarra icon knows how to host.
Crown Melbourne, Ground Level/8 Whiteman Street, Southbank
Transport Hotel
Part viewing party, part day-club, Transport layers live sport with bands and DJs. Ground level feeds the crowd buzz; upstairs offers skyline views. The drinks list embraces sessionability, the menu reads like comfort’s greatest hits, and the atmosphere builds like a crescendo.
Transport Hotel Ground Level, Fed Square, Melbourne
Imperial Hotel Rooftop
Few things feel more Melbourne than a rooftop grandstand with the skyline for company. The Imperial’s terrace offers screens, shade, and generous pours. Bookings go quickly, sightlines are forgiving, and bartenders are quick on the draw. Sunset selfies are inevitable, and the roar of the city is unforgettable.
2-8 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Southbank Screen Crawl
Turn the river into your corridor. Start at Wharf for waterside seats, slide to PJ’s for pub-cosy viewing, then hover at Hophaus or Ludlow for German steins or terrace air. Walkable, scenic and cinematic — Southbank suits groups who like choice.
Pubs, Packages & Street Parties
Terminus Hotel Block Party
On Grand Final Day, Abbotsford’s Terminus Hotel transforms Flockhart Street into one colossal block party. The big screen looms, the drinks flow siren-to-siren, and roving canapés keep hands as busy as voices. Inside and out, live music and DJs soundtrack the highs and heartbreaks of the nation’s biggest game.
605 Victoria Street, Abbotsford
The Posty, Cremorne
Swan Street’s only mega-screen laneway party roars to life, with the game live and loud, plus drinks and music well beyond the final siren.
90 Swan Street, Cremorne
Hickens Hotel, CBD
The newly opened Hickens makes its mark with Abe’s Athletic Hall: wall-to-wall screens, booths, and private rooms. Pre-game duos in the Carlton Lounge, post-game DJs on the rooftop — it’s the city’s newest sports temple.
127 Russell Street, Melbourne
Quarterhouse, Docklands
A four-metre rooftop screen, roaming canapés and bottomless drinks for $110pp (or $130pp with spirits). Sky Park screenings push the vibe at Quarterhouse sky-high.
693 Collins Street, Docklands
Melbourne Public, South Wharf
Melbourne Public offers thirteen screens, DJs after the siren, and Private Super Booths for up to 14 people. Packages range from brekkie towers to siren-to-siren bundles.
11 Dukes Walk, South Wharf
Beer DeLuxe, Fed Square
Upstairs VIP packages ($115pp) include bottomless beers and wines, roaming canapés and a halftime BBQ. Downstairs is free entry and pure crowd energy. Let’s go, Beer Deluxe!
Fed Square, Flinders Street, Melbourne
Skinny Dog Hotel, Kew
The rooftop at Skinny Dog goes bottomless ($125pp) with seven canapé rounds and DJs after dark. Downstairs stays classic with à la carte and screens galore.
155 High Street, Kew
Village Belle, St Kilda
Bottomless beers, wines and soft drinks plus a footy snack platter for $99pp. A bayside institution doing Grand Final day right.
202 Barkly Street, St Kilda
Public House, Richmond
From bounce to siren, a three-hour bottomless package ($109pp) on the rooftop and balcony, with DJs firing up post-match.
433-435 Church Street, Richmond
More Spots to Catch Every Kick
College Lawn, Ball Court Sunbury, Anglers Tavern Maribyrnong, Duke of Wellington, Harlow, Prince Alfred, Richmond Club Hotel, Swan Hotel, The Victoria Hotel Yarraville, Imperial Bourke Street — Melbourne’s unofficial second stadiums, ready and waiting.
Iconic Spots Beyond the CBD
The Espy, St Kilda
This grande dame knows how to throw a day. Screens across rooms, sea breeze at halftime, and a soundtrack that keeps you dancing post-siren.
11 The Esplanade, St Kilda
Great Northern, Carlton North
The northside’s spiritual home for big-game days. Doors open early, the beer garden fills steadily, and parmas fuel the faithful. Relaxed, confident, always raucous.
644 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North
The Vic Hotel, Footscray
From a $28 steak sanga special on Thursday to a $90 five-course menu on Saturday, The Vic goes large this AFL Grand Final week. Multiple screens, courtyard energy, and live entertainment from 6pm post-match.
43 Victoria Street, Footscray
Harvey’s Sports Bar & Grill, St Kilda
With a 4-metre mega screen and 17 more dotted about, Harvey’s makes good on its “home of live sport” claim. A $110pp siren-to-siren package flows until 6pm, followed by bands and DJs late into the night.
169 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
Luxsmith, Seddon
For those after refinement, Luxsmith is serving a $49 Feed Me menu from 12pm alongside bottomless drinks packages ($50pp or $75pp with spirits). Screens, sound, and polished dining — all in one.
5 Gamon Street, Seddon
Family & Culture
Queen Victoria Market
If the parade is for cheering, the market is for grazing. QVM serves pastries, cheese and kids’ activities — the perfect Friday and Saturday warm-up.
Grazeland, Spotswood
A technicolour playground with live music, food trucks, big screens and family-friendly fun. Equal parts carnival and finals hub.
Kensington Aquatic Centre
A free Festival of Fun and Fitness on Sunday 28th September celebrates the centre’s reopening. Emma McKeon headlines, with pickleball, yoga, drumming and a KidZone. A charming way to round out the long weekend with the fam.
Monopoly Dreams Melbourne
From 22nd to 28th September, Monopoly goes footy with giveaways, trivia nights, SEN broadcasts and a five-metre AFL Monopoly board. A cheeky mash-up of Melbourne culture and sport.
Le Méridien Wine Club
On Friday 26th September, Hirsch Hill Winery headlines a chic alternative to pubs. For $45pp, enjoy four wines, chef-paired plates, and post-event discounts. Just 38 seats — cultured, convivial, sold out in a heartbeat.
Eat: Finals Feasts
Ferguson Plarre
The Chunky Beef Nacho Pie (available until 5th October) loads pulled beef into a zingy Mexican sauce, with nacho cheese and crushed corn chips on top. AFL cupcakes are the ultimate party shortcut, with 80+ bakehouses across Victoria.
Drink: What’s in Your Hand
Barry’s Cherry Vanilla Cola
Bailey Smith, Charlie Curnow and the Daicos brothers have dropped a whiskey-based Cherry Vanilla Cola RTD, backed by a cheeky “Five Cougars, thanks” parody. Low sugar, high fun, and timed to perfection.
ALTR Bliss
From Nic Naitanui and Jack Redden comes Bliss, a strawberry-lemon soda packing probiotics, electrolytes, ginger and turmeric. More than fizzy refreshment, it’s a functional daily ritual rolling into 7-Eleven this week.
Where’s Open on Grand Final Eve (Friday 26th September)
Because sometimes you just need the hours.
- Marameo, CBD: 12pm–late, 15% surcharge
- Etta, Brunswick East: 5pm–late, 15% surcharge
- Lona Misa, South Yarra: 5pm–late, 15% surcharge
- Mister Bianco, Kew: 5:30pm–late, 15% surcharge
- Bianchetto, Fitzroy: 5:30pm–late, 15% surcharge
- Parker Street Project, Dunkeld: 5:30pm–late, 15% surcharge
- Wickens at Royal Mail Hotel, Dunkeld: 6pm–late, 15% surcharge
- Lexy, CBD: 11:30am–late, 15% surcharge
- Hotel Nacional, CBD: 11:30am–late, 15% surcharge
- Fleet Rooftop, CBD: 3pm–late, 15% surcharge
- Mr Miyagi, Windsor: 11:30am–late, 15% surcharge
- Re’em Yarra Valley: Cellar Door 11am–5pm, Lunch 12–3pm, Dinner from 5:30pm, 15% surcharge
- Hofbräuhaus, CBD: 12pm–1am, 10% surcharge
- Ms Parker, Richmond: Breakfast & Lunch 8am–2:30pm, Dinner until 8:30pm, 15% surcharge
- The Westin – High Cheese, CBD: 5pm–9:30pm, 15% surcharge
- BistroX Pop-Up, Fitzroy: 12–3pm, 5–10pm, 15% surcharge
- Ciao Cielo, Port Melbourne: 12–10pm, 15% surcharge
- Officina Gastronomica Italiana, Prahran: 8am–2pm, 20% surcharge
- Omnia Bistro, South Yarra: 5:30pm–late, 15% surcharge
- Yūgen Dining, South Yarra: 5:30pm–late, 15% surcharge
- Studio Amaro, Windsor: 5pm–late, 20% surcharge
- Tokyo Tina, Windsor: 12–3:30pm, 5–10pm, 20% surcharge
- New Quarter, Richmond: 12–11pm, 20% surcharge
- Firebird, Windsor: 5:30–10pm, 20% surcharge
- Hanoi Hannah Express Lane, Windsor: 12–9pm, 20% surcharge
- Hanoi Hannah Vol. II, Elsternwick: 12–9pm, 20% surcharge
- Ministry of Crab, CBD: Lunch 12–3pm, Dinner 5:30–11pm, 15% surcharge
- Lucia, South Melbourne: Lunch from 12pm, Dinner from 6pm
The Chic Alternative
Beverly’s Ladies Lunch
Not everyone wants wall-to-wall sirens and screens. Beverly offers the chic alternative: a $95pp Chef’s Menu (bluefin tuna crudo, Old Bay half chicken), à la carte options, sparkling packages and a spring-ready “Sunset by the Yarra” spritz. Book 12 to 3pm, toast to the season, and let the footy play elsewhere.
Goldfields, level 24/627 Chapel Street, South Yarra
Grand Final Friday at Tokar Estate
In the heart of the Yarra Valley, Tokar Estate is opening its doors this Grand Final Friday for a day that blends easygoing charm with vineyard elegance. From 11am to 3pm, settle in with guided tastings ($15 to 25pp), chocolate and wine pairings, or cocktails best shared with friends. Picnic tables and rolling lawns set the scene for platters of seasonal antipasto and cheese, while kids and dogs alike have space to roam.
Book a tasting to secure your spot, or simply wander in for lawn drinks, a platter, and a glass with a view.
6 Maddens Lane, Coldstream
You don’t need a ticket to the ’G to feel the roar. With rooftop screens, laneway block parties and bottomless packages scattered across every suburb — plus chic lunches and family festivals for those who’d rather skip the sirens — Melbourne turns itself into one giant stadium. Book now, wander boldly, and know that queues will be legendary.
