Best Bars in Brunswick

by Dan Cunningham and Holly Bodeker-Smith

Updated 2 weeks ago

The best bars in Brunswick are still mostly found on Sydney Road, clustered between Brunswick Road and Glenlyon Road, but we’re starting to see new openings stretching into the suburb’s bungalow-filled side streets, edging closer to Brunswick East and Brunswick West.

The area is particularly good for bigger groups. It’s almost as close to the city as Fitzroy and Richmond and there are plenty of pubs, but there’s a little more space. Many of the bars in this guide feature large, open spaces filled with big communal tables.

Live music also has a serious presence here. The dearly departed Brunswick Hotel was an incubator for heavy metal and punk, a torch that’s since been passed to Stay Gold, the band room at the back of Spitfire. The Penny Black, The Spotted Mallard, Bar Oussou and The Retreat Hotel are also reliable places to catch a band. And of course, there’s Howler, where indie and electronic acts take full advantage of one of Melbourne’s best sound systems.

Co-Conspirators Brewpub
Bar
Hop-forward IPAs are the main game at this soaring warehouse brewery, but sours, saisons and dark beers are also on frequent rotation. Pair with a charcuterie box or pizza and you’re all set.
Union Hotel Brunswick
Bar
A simple backstreet boozer that harks back to the pubs of old.
The Cornish Arms
Bar
This warm and inviting pub is renowned for two reasons. First, it's got one of the most vegan-friendly menus in Melbourne – meaning meat-eaters and herbivores alike can get across the entire menu of pub classics. And second, its sunny and expansive rooftop bar ranks among the best in Brunswick.
Miss Moses
Restaurant
It’s beer, sandwiches and 1960s Americana at this laid-back spot.
Joey Smalls
Bar
This comfortable spot from the founders of New Guernica isn’t quite a nightclub or a bar. It’s something in between, with a slow-building dance floor that runs late on weekends, powered by funk, soul, house, hip-hop and disco. Take a break from dancing with burgers, fried chicken and decent cocktails.
Howler
Bar
A former wool store turned bar, arts hub and live music venue.
Amelia Shaw
Bar
Shoot pool on a round table, sipping cocktails and admiring the Art-Deco decor between shots.
Brunswick Mess Hall
Restaurant
A mix of business – from boutique beers to summer punch and Asian cuisine served Spanish-style.
Waxflower
Bar
Blending elements of Melbourne cafe, European wine bar and Tokyo-style “listening bar”, this buzzing spot hosts vinyl-only DJs five nights a week, with no cover charges. It’s one of the best places in town to hear recorded music.
The Bergy Seltzer
Bar
This live music bar spot feels a bit like a house party. See a gig in the bandroom, drink in the all-weather beer garden, or hide out in its quiet front bar for classic cocktails. It even has a 3am license, so there’s no mass exodus when the show ends.
The Sporting Club Hotel
Bar
This corner pub is from some of the crew that revamped the Royal Oak Hotel and The Marquis of Lorne. Visit for a retro menu filled with fun takes on pub staples – plus an outdoor bar with a retractable roof.