The Eastern

Ballarat has lost some great live music venues over the past few years, but one of its best, The Eastern Hotel, is still going from strength to strength. The Eastern is like The Tote in Melbourne – but with nicer floorboards.

It’s a relaxed hangout even when bands aren’t playing, with exposed brick walls and no-nonsense drinks at great prices.

Reputedly haunted, the hotel was established in 1862 at the peak of the gold rush and offers basic accommodation upstairs (where the ghouls hang out after gigs, apparently). The front bar has a roaring open fire and a warm vibe and is a great place to get chatting to friendly locals.

Burgers rule the tasty bar menu. Locals love the Eastern Beef burger, with bacon, caramelised onion, cheese, tomato, lettuce, mayo and relish. There are three types of chicken burger and there’s a smashed falafel burger for the vegetarians. All burgers come with fat, crisp chips.

The tap beer leans heavily on the Moon Dog stable – with a fridge full of its popular Fizzer seltzers – and sekks jugs of Eastern Lager for $12 during happy hour between 5pm and 6pm on weeknights.