Head upstairs to the rooftop beergarden and soak up some city views with your Coopers.
The Marquis of Lorne is the classic modern Fitzroy pub, sinuously melding the pub/restaurant/music venue/beer garden combination into one fantastic local watering hole. Thirsty, sun-loving locals settle outside the pub on the pavement benches to knock back beers and work on their tan. Step inside and lean on the retro-chic bar or stretch out on a well-loved couch in one of the adjoining ante-chambers.
Funky, inner-city crowds flock here on Friday and Saturday to groove to the DJ's mixes. A more sedate bunch shamble in on Sundays for soulful and soothing offerings from such bands as Chris Wilson and the Wagons.
The Marquis ardently supports local microbrewers, offering Little Creatures, Mountain Goat and both Coopers sparkling ale and pale ale all on tap. The wine list is extensive with nine whites available by the glass, including the Thorn Clark Sandpiper pinot gris.
Hungry punters trek upstairs to the restaurant for classic pub fare as well as more contemporary offerings such as a Thai stir fry, paella or kangaroo fillet. The former function room on the third level has had a makeover and is now a rooftop beer garden - and is well worth it for the city views.
Ben Maas
