It’s nearly Grand Final day! Yes, it’s the siren that stops the city, and if you can’t get into the ’G itself (hey, who can?), the game is best enjoyed with good company, cold beers and great pub grub. If you haven’t locked in where you’re watching from, we’re punting you our guide of the best pubs in Melbourne to catch the action – and what to order when you’re there.
It might have had a new lick of paint, but the North Fitzroy Arms remains a footy pub at heart. For Grand Final day, the 150-year-old pub will host a ticketed three-course luncheon in the dining room, with front bar specials including Guinness and oysters, scallop pies and discounted Crownies. Grab a bucket and settle in under the extra screens in the beer garden. 296 Rae St, Fitzroy North.
Cheer on the Bloods on their original South Melbourne turf at the Rising Sun Hotel. The sea of red and white paraphernalia inside will quickly confirm the unabashed allegiances at play in this storied pub, which stood opposite the South Melbourne Swans’ former home ground for more than a century. While fanatics have long since booked out seated tables, walk-ins will be welcomed on the big day from 10am. Fuel up with another South Melbourne icon – the South Melbourne Dim Sim, brought in from their market home nearby. 2 Raglan St, South Melbourne. risingsunhotel.au
The first south-side foray from the team behind Fitzroy’s beloved Marquis of Lorne, the scale of the Mount Erica means there’s plenty of room to squeeze in elbow-to-elbow come Grand Final Day if you’ve missed out on a booking in the dining room; with the bar and courtyard reserved for walk-ins. Despite its relative youth, this is a classic pub, so stick with the classics and say yes to the schnitty – gussied up here with hunks of bocconcini, a cabbage slaw and a generous wedge of lemon for squeezing. 420 High St, Prahran. mountericahotel.com.au
Footy finals and beer gardens go together like a meat pie and sauce, and there’s few beer gardens south of the Yarra to beat the College Lawn. Doors will open extra early at 10am on Grand Final day, which means you can settle in long before kick-off and fuel up with a rack of tender barbecue pork ribs with slaw and chips. 36 Greville St, Prahran.
The refurbed Railway Hotel is the chicest pub in the village to pull up a pew for Grand Final day. Get in early to secure a spot on the rooftop deck, where the game will be played live and loud. Keep the energy high with an espresso martini and snack your way through the share plates like lamb kofta with tzatziki, pomegranate and warm pita. Or opt for a Cape Grim grass-fed steak. 35 Anderson St, Yarraville. railwayhotelyarraville.com.au
It’s business as usual at the Great Northern Hotel for footy finals. That means plenty of screens, one of Melbourne’s most dog-friendly beer gardens and classic pub fare washed down with independent brews on all 22 taps. The GNH knows that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. It’s the perfect spot to watch the game – improved only by the addition of the O’Connor Beef steak sandwich (and the company of your hound). 644 Rathdowne St, Carlton North.
Collingwood’s Albion Hotel has seen almost as many AFL Grand Finals as it has served pots. The historic hotel has undergone a recent refurbishment and the sleek food menu reflects the pub’s motto, ‘Time enjoyed is not time wasted’. Catch the match live and loud with perfectly cooked market fish or steaks, plus $8 Bodriggy Speccy Juice schooners. 314 Smith St, Collingwood.
Close enough to the ’G to hear the crowd roar, the Corner is gearing up for a big Granny day, with doors down and upstairs opening at 9am, along with the kitchen. Get in early for a table on the rooftop, and fill a table from the snack menu like the manchego croquettes and paprika-dusted calamari with a cajun aioli. Or pile into the carpark from 10am and fill up the Southern way with brisket and spiced chicken wings from the Smokey Boiz food truck. Stick around after the final siren for an afterparty as only this iconic live music venue could offer in the bandroom. 57 Swan St, Richmond. cornerhotel.com
Craft beer fiends will feel right at home come Grand Final day behind the roller door at Hop Nation’s Footscray Taproom. The industrial space is great for groups, with 19 taps sure to keep everyone happy. On-site Good Pizza will keep you carbo-loaded – long-fermented dough with toppings like vodka sauce with fior di latte, pepperoni with a drizzle of honey, or miso mushrooms with mozzarella are our picks. 6/107-109 Whitehall St, Footscray.
