Latest reviews from Melbourne
| 62 /100 The Mitre Tavern (Bar) 5 BANK PL “Situated in an alley way off collins street / little collins street. Visited on Sunday evening after the Grand Prix, and in this area of the CBD it was one of few places open. Central bar with rooms both sides and an outside setting area. It had an Irish pub feel. Plenty of craft and regular beers on draft and some bottles. Food was a bid allover the places, but it was very busy.“ |
| 78 /100 Boilermaker House (Bar) 209-211 LONSDALE STREET “Visited and a Thursday Evening. long narrow bar with booths on one side. We had a booth. Beer served in flight which was an overly complicated process. especially as they were in a random order. Our server was knowledgeable.“ |
| 74 /100 Beer DeLuxe (Bar) FEDERATION SQUARE, FLINDERS STREET “Large modern pub at federation square Melbourne near to flinders train station. 20 or more taps of regional and wider Australian beers a few from breweries owned my the majors. Plenty of seating inside and outside with Wi-Fi and screen for sport.“ |
| 86 /100 Carwyn Cellars (Beer Store) 877 HIGH ST. THORNBURY “Dude, it's just so effing sick. Have not found a better bottle shop in Australia and they add great taps on top of that. About 15 taps if I remember correctly and nice 'biance out back. The bottle/can selection is amazing. They have better American beers than all but a few US bottleshops. Side Project, Bottle Logic, Bruery, Rare Barrel, all kinds of crazy stuff. Great Aussie beers too. Some real rarities. Seem like good people there. Just wish it were closer to Melbourne CBD.“ |
| 72 /100 Belgian Beer Cafe Eureka (Restaurant) 5 RIVERSIDE QUAY, SOUTHBANK “Visited on a Sunday in February 2020. A fairly large place located close to the Yarra River.I had a couple of domectic beers. (I prefer to drink Belgian beer in Belgium or at home in Sweden) A relaxed atmosphere on a Sunday, the service was good.“ |
| 78 /100 Cookie (Bar) 252 SWANSTON STREET “Visited in February 2020. A rather large place with plenty of people on a Saturday evening. The service was fast and polite. Located in China Town, not far from my Hotel. Next time I will try the food. A nice place.“ |
| 68 /100 The Windsor Alehouse (Bar) 42 PUNT ROAD, WINDSOR “This is a standard corner pub with a reasonable range of local craft offerings. They get a nice mix from around the country, with a couple of unusual ones typically. Can selection looked good too. It is really a local venue, with loads of tradies etc and not many beer wankers.“ |
| 86 /100 272 JOHNSTON ST. ABBOTSFORD “Very Scando in feel, with bright pine and whitewashed interior. Comfy booths, some smaller tables and a beer garden. All Range IPAs, hazies and sours, poured skillfully. Big fridge of takeaway cans, and growler fills. Pizza, gnocchi and burgers can be brought in from neighbouring restaurants. Dog friendly and just a classy vibe. A welcome addition to an upcoming neighbourhood.“ |
| 80 /100 245 JOHNSTON STREET, ABOTSFORD “Visited on a Friday during lunch in February 2020. A rather large place with high ceilings and plenty of seats and tables. They did have 15 beers on tap during my visit, paddles available. The service was friendly and talkative. It took around 45 minutes to walk to this place from my hotel in Melbourne CBD. A pleasant place.“ |
| 76 /100 The Catfish (Bar) 30 GERTRUDE ST, FITZROY, FITZROY “Visited on a Thursday evening in February 2020. A medium sized place with friendly locals. The service was also friendly and the selection decent. I kind of liked the vibe at this place.“ |
| 78 /100 Slow Beer (Fitzroy) (Beer Store) 351 SMITH ST FITZROY “Visited on an early Thursday evening in February 2020. A rather small shop and bar with some seating upstairs. I bought some bottles and drank one beer on tap. The service was friendly and the place was almost empty during my visit. Well worth a visit if nearby.“ |
| 72 /100 390 SMITH ST “Visited quite early on a Thursday in February 2020. A rather large place with a brewery, distillery and eatery. The beers were ok and the pizza decent. I liked the friendly service. Located close to other breweries in Collingwood.“ |
| 84 /100 Beermash. (Bar) 306 SMITH STREET, COLLINGWOOD “Visited early on a Thursday in February 2020. A friendly place with 20 beers on tap and a nice selection of bottles and cans. I only bought beers from Australia but I did notice that they did have som bottles from Sweden. (Brekeriet) It took around 30 minutes to walk to this place from my Hotel in Melbourne CBD. Would love to visit again in the future.“ |
| 92 /100 Near & Far (Bar) 373 BRUNSWICK ST, FITZROY “Fantastic new bar. Huge selection on tap, on pour and in fridges. Loads of unusual stuff from interstate and overseas. Cosy, with some quieter spots also upstairs. Food via takeaway menus (on a street full of eateries).“ |
| 72 /100 Boilermaker House (Bar) 209-211 LONSDALE STREET “Visited on an early Wednesday evening in February 2020. A fairly large place with a nice interior. The whisky selection was impressive and the beer selection was decent. The service was good and the location is very central in Melbourne. Worth a visit if nearby.“ |
| 78 /100 Beer DeLuxe (Bar) FEDERATION SQUARE, FLINDERS STREET “Visited a couple of times in February 2020. A large and modern place with a large patio. The selection was nice, 20 taps and an interesting bottle list. The service was fast and polite. Located close to the Flinders Station.
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| 66 /100 115 -127 RUSSELL ST “Visited on an early Wednesday afternoon in February 2020. A large and modern place with a very central location in CBD. The service was fast and friendly, paddles were available. The beers were ok, although nothing special. Two of the beers that I tried were brewed onsite.“ |
| 78 /100 Mrs Parma’s (Bar) 25 LITTLE BOURKE ST “Visited on an early Wednesday afternoon in February 2020. A decent place with a good service and an interesting selection of only Victorian beer. The food was tasty and the location good.“ |
| 80 /100 The Catfish (Bar) 30 GERTRUDE ST, FITZROY, FITZROY “Small, quiet, cool vibe, comfortable. Great music. 8 taps, many cans and bottles - almost all interesting and unusual. Friendly staff. Great Philly cheesesteak.“ |
| 62 /100 115 -127 RUSSELL ST “Big city centre pub with mainstream vibe - American football n TVs and dodgy pop music. 10+ taps with their own beer including a few unusual and interesting ones. Staff are friendly and efficient. It’s ok but not special. It’s open late on a Sunday...“ |
| 78 /100 The Alehouse Project (Bar) 98-100 LYGON STREET, BRUNSWICK EAST “A bar very much focused on good beer. Several big bare rooms - Brick walls and big wooden tables. Pretty minimal decor. 12 taps with a great range of mainly Australian craft beers. Friendly helpful staff. A bit out of the way but well worth the effort.“ |
| 78 /100 The Alehouse Project (Bar) 98-100 LYGON STREET, BRUNSWICK EAST “Cavernous place with several rooms and a beer garden. Big bare brick rooms with big wood tables. 12 tables with a good range of interesting craft beers, mostly Australian. Friendly staff.“ |
| 26 /100 Young and Jackson (Bar) CORNER OF SWANSTON & FLINDERS STREETS “Normally a big fan of Y&J
Had a Work dinner with 20+ people tonight. Came back with drinks from the bar and found that everyone was paying their meals. Joined the paying queue and was the last to pay. The total bill had been between $400-$500 and the only outstanding items were my meal and an unpaid fish & chips.
I have an Entertainment Card discount card which enables the member 25% off the TOTAL bill at Y&J. With a maximum discount of $40. When shown to the Restaurant Manager I was offered a discount of -25% off the OUTSTANDING BILL only of $56 which is a $14 discount. I advised the staff member this is unacceptable, and a member of security was brought to me to encourage me to pay the amount proposed.
Through negotiation the TOTAL amount outstanding (including the Fish n Chips) was $56 reduced to $28. With no other option & to settle the bill. The amount was settled & paid. Not the right outcome, but a better one then initially offered.
Via email that evening I received a message that a Co-worker had received a call from the Y&J that there was an outstanding meal that had not been paid, a Fish & Chips meal. Which unbeknownst to him I believed I had settled. The co-worker unknowingly paid the previously agreed & paid item of a further $23 via credit card.
After reading the message I contacted the Hotel and wanted to clarify with the responsible staff member this evening. Instead spoke to Amy the Hotel Manager who did not want me to converse with the relevant “restaurant manager”… For the record the Restaurant Manager was approx. 5’8 with a shaved head and in late 30’s. Y&J believed the issue was settled and no further action was required.
Pity the management staff caused the nice evening to end it the way they did.
Total Bill approx. $450
Entertainment Book Discount entitled $40
Total discount provided by Y&J with Entertainment Book .. $5.00
GENERAL RULES WHEN USING YOUR ENTERTAINMENT MEMBERSHIP (RELEVANT SECTIONS)
8) 25% OFF DINING OFFERS
The restaurant will deduct 25% off the total bill for the table, up to the maximum value indicated on the offer. If multiple Cards / Vouchers / Digital Memberships are used, the deduction is still 25% off the total bill, up to the maximum combined value of the Cards / Vouchers / Digital Memberships.“ |
| 82 /100 245 JOHNSTON STREET, ABOTSFORD “Funky brewpub of larger than average size. Great fitout. Loads of tables. Some seats at bar. Roof that opens. Kickass Mexican kitchen. And the beer is much better than nearby Stomping Ground. Tasting paddles too.“ |
| 68 /100 A Point of Difference (Beer Store) 499 WHITEHORSE ROAD, MITCHAM “[9/19] Next door to The Forager's Drop & very close to Mitcham station in Melbourne's never ending eastern 'burbs. A smallish shop crammed with beer. I couldn't stay long & already had too many hoppy beers at home so really only skimmed part of the stock. The range might well be the biggest in Melbourne with things I hadn't seen anywhere else (long time want Blaugies La Moneuse) & things that closer to town disappeared months ago as soon as they arrived (Tilquin Oude Pinot Noir). And that is good and bad of course. They are not alone in this, but freshness is an issue here. Keen pricing. Clearly a good place but check dates. [4/23] A lot of shelves gone and replaced by fridges. Less old beer. One of a number of places that seem to have decided that cans go in the fridge and bottles mostly don't. Well worth a stop if you are near.“ |
| 70 /100 245 JOHNSTON STREET, ABOTSFORD “A recently opened brewpub that looks like it’s been there forever but in reality the place only opened in 2019. The brewpub is like a huge, spacious, rustic warehouse. There is plenty of room for everyone here. They have 12 taps from their core range and plenty of specials too. Good looking food but the kitchen closes at 9pm. Paddles of five are available but rather pricey. Right opposite the Victoria Park station so its rather easy to reach.“ |
| 52 /100 Pixel Alley (Bar) 95 SMITH STREET, FITZROY “Not really a beer destination but a retro video game/pinball arcade that happens to have a handful of craft beers available in cans/bottles. Good fun if you are in to pinnies etc, and you can have a local IPA while you are playing!“ |
| 66 /100 Rainbow Hotel (Bar) 27 DAVID ST “A really great neighbourhood pub with decent and good value food offerings, a beer garden with pool table, and most importantly, a solid selection of craft beers on tap.“ |
| 64 /100 Uitgang Bar (Bar) 406 BRIDGE ROAD, RICHMOND “Still going nicely despite me thinking a couple of years ago they might struggle given the general downturn of the Bridge Road strip. 9 taps, all super local (ie Melbourne-based brewers) and $8 is decent pricing for this town. Whilst the venue is Exit Brewing's tap house only 4 taps devoted. Has done a very good job of the rear beer garden. A standard-issue bar in many respects but the devotion of Melbourne brewers is to be applauded.“ |
| 86 /100 Beermash. (Bar) 306 SMITH STREET, COLLINGWOOD “Terrific local place. Usually some great new things to try on tap, and an amazing bottle collection. The guys are happy to take your order for one of excellent pizza from Alimentari next door and deliver it to your table (we take our own plates and napkins!). Prices can be a little on the high side but the product is excellent.“ |
| 84 /100 Rainbow Hotel (Bar) 27 DAVID ST “This is my local, and what a great place to have next doror. A decent selection of rotating taps, with the odd gose and sour starting to find their way into the lineup during the warmer months. There's also over 100 beers in bottles in the fridges. Ask one of the friendly staff about the 101 club. The Beer Degustation Dinner during Good Beer Week is the stuff of legend.
Just to correct some errors from earlier reviews. There's only live music two nights a week except for the last Monday in the month gig by the Hammond Organ Combo (a staple for 30 years). There's blues on Sundays from 4-7pm, and Saturday night from 9.30pm is more of rock scene which attracts a younger crowd. There is a DJ late Friday night, but it's a pretty laid back vibe.
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| 76 /100 Napier Hotel (Bar) 210 NAPIER ST “A great neighbourhood asset. A reasonable tap list, but not a place for those looking for something too out there. It's a great place for a feed as well. It's hard to think of a better place for a pint and a lunch on a wintry Melbourne Sunday. Can get loud in the back restaurant when it's full.“ |
| 66 /100 115 -127 RUSSELL ST “Located in the CBD, a bit of a modern pub feel to the place. Seemed like they had multiple rooms but only visited the front bar. Service was good if not particularly beer oriented. 8 beers on tap with flights available. Prices seemed fair considering the location. A good ticking stop.“ |
| 66 /100 4 JOYNER ST, MOORABBIN “A pretty standard warehouse brewery with some nice seating and a walk up bar. Service was solid but it was not particularly busy. 8 beers on tap with flights available. Pizza was alright and the prices were a touch on the high side. Pretty standard brewery overall.“ |
| 80 /100 Grape and Grain (Beer Store) 14 - 16 STATION STREET, MOORABBIN “A bit of a dingy beer store but a cool little bar in back and very helpful and friendly service. Bottle selection was great and while limited the taps were interesting. No food on site but prices seemed fair overall. Well worth a stop.“ |
| 78 /100 184 CARLISLE STREET, EAST ST KILDA “A nice second floor bar with a great patio. A narrow space inside and seating could get tight. Service was good and they knew the beers. 20 taps with flights available and came with a pallete cleanser. No significant food on site. Prices were a bit high. A fun beer bar overall.“ |
| 74 /100 64 SMITH ST, COLLINGWOOD “A very modern bar with clean finishes. A large bar with a good amount of high top seating and two TVs. Service was good on both visits and they had a nice selection of taps. Half pours available. Did not try the food on my visit and prices were inline with the area. A solid bar overall.“ |
| 84 /100 Slow Beer (Fitzroy) (Beer Store) 351 SMITH ST FITZROY “A store with strong selection and a few tap lines for in house consumption. I didn't have any more space in my bag so just grabbed a pint but the seating the store was pleasant enough. Service was solid and knowledgeable. Bottle selection was quite impressive and prices seemed inline with the area. A strong bottle shop.“ |
| 80 /100 17 DUKE ST, ABBOTSFORD “A small little warehouse brewery with a good amount of charm. I can imagine that sitting gets a bit tight during rushes. Service was very helpful and knew about the beers. 12ish beers on tap with half pours available. No food on site. Beers seemed to be good value. A bit of a diamond in the rough.“ |
| 70 /100 CORNER NORTH AND CLARK STS, RICHMOND “Large older warehouse with a small walk up bar and a plethora of seating throughout. Very dimly lit on my visit. Service was fine during my visit. 8 beers on tap with flights available. Did not try the food on my visit. Prices seemed inline with the area. I was left wanting a bit more on my visit.“ |
| 76 /100 The Royston Hotel (Bar) 12 RIVER STREET, RICHMOND “Just a short metro ride away this pub has a nice traditonal feel if it is a bit cramped. Service was quick and friendly and they had a good selection of local micros on. Half pours available. I did not try the food on my visit. Prices seemed competitive. A nice little pub.“ |
| 72 /100 Beermash. (Bar) 306 SMITH STREET, COLLINGWOOD “A small venue with about 20 taps but a much larger range of cans/bottles in fridge. Seating inside and on pavement. Both tap and fridge ranges are good with rarely seen in Australia brews available. Nice vibe but service when I was there a little off-hand and taps pricey.
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| 70 /100 Rochester Hotel (Bar) 202 JOHNSTON STREET, FITZROY “This was a really cool pup in central Fitzroy which serves up high quality South Indian food along with about 8 or so regularly changing craft taps with a local focus. Nice ambiance and good food you can't really go wrong.“ |
| 74 /100 17 DUKE ST, ABBOTSFORD “A grungy little brewpub tucked away up a small side street among light industrial neighbours. They have about 12 or so taps including the core range plus numerous special brews. A pizza van operated outside but we didn't try. Service was good and ambiance nice. Eclectic decor was interesting.“ |
| 82 /100 Heartbreaker (Bar) 234A RUSSELL ST “Great dark place, great great music. Local tap craft beer, pizza by the slice. Cool as a cucumber. Go there.“ |
