Best Beer Bars in Melbourne
The past decade has wrought huge changes in pubs and bars. Once, it was enough to sell four draught beers and a few dozen in bottles and cans. Nowadays, drinkers want more choice. Hence, huge beer fonts with upwards of 20 taps.
But quantity is only a small part of what makes a good beer bar. The best spots keep their taps pouring a variety of styles, rather than 10 same-y pale ales. They change their offering regularly, and employ people with a genuine passion for the stuff. Lastly, they have plenty of comfortable seating, so you can stick around.
Read more:
Best Beer Shops in Melbourne
Best Brewery Bars in Melbourne
Best Wine Bars in Melbourne
Best Cocktail Bars in Melbourne
Shop
Penny Young
At this bottle-o and attached beer hall, there are 17 draught beers to drink on site, and more than 350 to take home.
Bar
Bonny
A sleek, minimalist bar with craft beers, natural wines and food made to complement the booze.
Bar
Carwyn Cellars
In addition to a diverse, ever-changing tap list, there's a cellar full of incredibly rare beers.
Bar
Stomping Ground Brewing Co.
Brewer Ashur Hall makes everything from pilsner to barleywine, and most of the staff is Cicerone certified.
Bar
The Royston Hotel
The pub that kickstarted Melbourne's beer revolution.
Bar
Hudsons Road Wine and Beer
This spot in the western suburbs has roughly 200 wines and the same again of beers, plus a deli cabinet filled with cured meats, pate, and a range of cheese. All of the above are available to enjoy in the relaxed shopfront overlooking the street.
Bar
The Park Werribee
Won Australia's best beer list in 2013.
Bar
Mr West
Local skin-contact wine, Spanish ciders, obscure spirits and easy-drinking beers are all on the menu at this friendly neighbourood bottle shop and bar in Nicholson Street Mall.
Bar
Bar Liberty
The swankiest and most expensive spot on this list, with a particular passion for European sours.
Bar
Howler
Nice beer, nice music.
Bar
East Of Everything
There are only five taps, but they're always pouring something interesting.
Bar
The Great Northern Hotel
Repping the best of the US.
Restaurant
Fox in The Corn
Fresh pasta and arguably the best restaurant beer list in Melbourne.
Shop
Grape & Grain
Four hundred bottles, arcade games and cushy couches.
Bar
Junction Hotel Newport
Two separate rooms – one for beer, one for wine.
Shop
BeerMash
Grab a growler to go, or sit in and take advantage of the huge range of draught, canned and bottled beers.
Bar
The Raccoon Club
The most down-to-earth beer bar in town.
Bar
The Catfish
Good beer and Philly cheesesteaks.
Bar
Redwood Tasting Room
A piece of Northern California in North Fitzroy.
Bar
Benchwarmer
This beer bar stocks limited release and hard-to-find brews, as well as funky, mostly local, wines. And don't miss the Japanese izakaya-style food. Designed by an alumnus of legendary restaurant Yardbird, it punches well above its weight.
Bar
Good Liquor and Wine
This drink-in bottle shop pours wild ales, natural wines and sour Negronis. Come for beer-infused cocktails, Belgian lambics and plenty of snacks.
Bar
Moon Dog Wild West
Moon Dog’s bar in the Franco Cozzo building leans heavily into an old-Hollywood interpretation of the American West. It comes complete with a mechanical bull, “Cowboy Shots” and a Blues Brothers-inspired bar.
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