RALPH's top pub's - Vic

1

 

Any pub band worth their rider has played a set at the Epsy, one of the most iconic music pubs in Australia. In a world of hotels with chrome furniture and fancy toilets, this stands strong as a true Australian city pub, and still hosts about 50 bands a week on three different stages.

2

 

It's often described as "shabby", but people come here because it's a snapshot of Europe in St Kilda, with the Hungarian kitchen serving bargain schnitzels, goulash and cabbage rolls to old Jewish locals.

3

 

Best place in North Melbourne to wear your black Connies and Ramones tee while catching a band. Always free, which is always in our budget.

4

 

It's as famous for its pub food as its front bar celebrating the history of the Fitzroy Lions, but if you can squeeze in between the locals who love the joint, it's an awesome, unpretentious place for a drink.

5

 

Overhauled in 2005, it attracts a pretty upwardly mobile, good looking crowd these days, but still retains that classic you're-in-a-pub-Fitzroy feel.

6

 

An intimate and cosy pub with some schmick add-ons, including the Chameleon bar where you can gyrate with local hotties Thursday to Saturday, and the Cafe Provincial, which is one of the most acclaimed pub restaurants in M-town.

7

 

It's a casual no-bullshit spot with a homely feel thanks to the array of comfortable lounges and stools scattered about the place, all hidden by red velvet curtains at the entrance.

8

 

Another top Sunday sesh beer garden, though this classy one's cosier than the biggest beer barns, pulling off stylish and modern while retaining traditional pub feel.