The upside of Melbourne’s temperamental weather is that the city knows how to do winter. Melburnians are experts at layering, and knowing which of the many excellent pubs boast fireplaces. There’s nothing better than enjoying a cold pint beside a roaring fire to help you get through the darkest days of the year.
The Rochey in Fitzroy is a winter haven, boasting three fireplaces throughout the pub; in the front bar by the pool table, the front bar dining room and the Bowie bar at the back of the pub. 202 Johnston St, Fitzroy; rochrochey.com.auey.com.au
What goes hand in hand with a roaring fireplace? A leather chesterfield lounge that you can really sink into. The Exchange has you covered for both. 39 Bay St, Port Melbourne; theexchangehotel.net.au
A stunning fireplace, with stacks of freshly chopped logs of wood, takes centre stage in the Golden Gate’s dining room. It’s a double-whammy of warmth, the fire takes care of your outer layer as the food warms you up from the inside. 238 Clarendon St, South Melbourne; goldengatehotel.com.au
The St Kilda destination pub may be by the water, but its many fireplaces make it a year-round vibe; there’s the outdoor fireplace in the beer garden, the ornate marble centrepiece in its Cantonese restaurant Mya Tiger downstairs and the one upstairs – when the light streams in through the bay windows on a sunny winter’s day and the fire is on, there’s no place you’d rather be. 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda; hotelesplanade.com.au
There’s no shortage of places to grab a pint on Church Street, but the Prince Alfred has become a local favourite in the cooler months thanks to its warming fireplace perfectly located next to it’s leather booths. Grab a gang and settle in. 619 Church St, Richmond; princealfredhotel.com.au
Not a lot of good things came out of lockdown, but Hotel Collingwood’s renovation was one of them. And it included restoring the two wood-fired fireplaces. Handily located near the TV so you can cheer on the ‘Pies. You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to pubs in this ‘hood, but the fireplaces combined with the all-weather beer garden make this a winner. 376 Smith St, Collingwood; hotelcollingwood.com.auhotelcollingwood.com.au
Locals know that in winter, the best seat in the house is by the fire. Luckily, the Marquis of Lorne has three of them. If you miss out, the consolation prize is also pretty special – a hidden rooftop kept cosy and warm with heaters. 411 George St, Fitzroy; marquiseoflorne.com.au
Union House is the kind of corner pub that you wish was just around the corner from your place. The pub experts behind Marquis of Lorne took over the heritage-listed building, upped the food offering and made the centrepiece of the dining room a freestanding Cheminees Philippe fireplace. And there are two more fireplaces in the front bar. 270 Swan St, Richmond; unionhouse.com.au
The lime-green exterior of Windsor Castle Hotel is a sign that you can expect quirky, kitschy interiors rather than a meeting with the King. But what’s not to love about the idea of settling into a plush, pink velvet banquette by a roaring fire? The iconic pub was saved from closure in 2024, and the fireplaces are roaring again. 89 Albert St, Windsor; windsorcastlehotel.com.au
The old Pentridge Prison is somewhere you actually want to hang out these days. The sprawling space has been transformed into a unique pub, with a beer garden, welcoming nooks and, yes, a fireplace. Pentridge Prison, E Building, T101/1 Champ St, Coburg; brewdog.com/au/pentridge .
