Melbourne’s Best Old Pubs
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By Ben Oliver || Last Updated: April 3, 2024
Hip bar joints come and go, but it’s the traditional, old pubs are what gives a city its soul.
Founded in 1835, Melbourne has some of Australia’s best and most interesting traditional pubs, each with their own story to tell.
Here’s our guide to the best traditional pubs in the Melbourne CBD. Explore on your own, or join us for one of our brilliant hidden bar and history tours!
🌐 The Mitre Tavern || @themitretavern
Why come here?
The honour of being the oldest building in Melbourne (but not technically the oldest pub in the city) goes to the mighty Mitre Tavern. Dating back to 1837 and licensed since 1868, the Mitre Tavern is a pub institution in every sense of the word. Trivia nights every Tuesday and Wednesday at 6:30pm, rotating beer taps and friendly staff make this a must do.
What’s the food situation?
Plentiful. Everything from bar snacks to big meaty, parmas.
The final word
Mighty old, mighty comfy.
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Mon-Fri: 11am-late | Sat-Sun: 12pm-late
Captain Melville || @captainmelville_34
Why should I come here?
The Captain Melville is often named as a contender for the oldest licensed bar in Melbourne. Regardless, the Captain Melville has been an iconic inner city pub since 1853
Seemingly out of place surrounded by modern CBD buildings, the Melville is one of the few bluestone buildings left in the city. Named after the famous bushranger of the same name, Captain Melville feels old fashioned on the outside, but has a gastro pub feel on the inside.
What’s the food situation?
Pretty damn good. All the classics are covered, and check out their daily specials for even bigger discounts on grub
The final word
A country pub in the middle of the CBD.
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Sat-Thurs: 12-11pm | Fri: 12pm-1am
The Duke || @theduke
Why come here?
Officially the oldest pub in Melbourne, The Duke has been standing on this spot since 1850, and serving beers since 1853.
Like so many pubs these days, the old exterior gives way to a flashy internal remake, but to be fair, they’ve done a fair job of not going full gastro. A cracking place to watch sport (not just AFL) and a popular place for that pre-MCG beer. And they have a pretty decent rooftop bar as well.
What’s the food situation?
Very impressive. Try the Larmagiana, a chicken parmagiana topped with lasagne.
The final word
Great location, great pub.
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Mon to Sat: 12pm–1am | Sun: 12pm-11pm
Young & Jackson || @youngandjackson
Why come here?
Because it’s the most famous pub in Melbourne.
Built in 1853 and a pub since 1861, the Young & Jackson’s location and that painting makes it mandatory for visitors and Melburnians alike.
The painting in question is Chloe, a full length, 19th century nude portrait of a 19-year-old French girl. The punters have been gawking – sorry contemplating – the famous artwork since it was purchased by ex-gold digger and entrepreneur Henry Young (one half of Y&J) for £800 in 1908.
Take the stairs up to Level 1 to view Chloe, now estimated to be worth about $5 million.
Downstairs you’ll find the public bar and lounge serving a wide variety of local craft beers in comfortable surrounds. Sports fans (in particular UFC) won’t be disappointed, and are well served by a large number of screens.
What’s the food situation?
Solid pub fare at solid pub prices. Chloe’s Brasserie upstairs also features a bar and dining set menu including main, soup, drink and a coffee for $40 per person (lunch or pre-theatre evenings sittings)
The final word
It’s not polite to stare.
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Mon-Sun: 10am-Late
The Drunken Poet || @drunkenpoetmusic
Why come here?
The discerning Guinness drinker knows the gulf between a traditional pub in Ireland and what the world has come to know as the “Irish Pub”.
Publican Siobhan Dooley founded the Drunken Poet just outside the Melbourne CBD in 2006 to address Melbourne’s lack of the former (and by extension glut of the latter). The pub has since been named among the top 10 Irish pubs outside of Ireland.
At the Drunken Poet, the walls are adorned not with shamrocks and large screens, but portraits of famous poets. The focus is on good conversation, good Irish Whisky and of course, plenty of good Guinness.
The Drunken Poet also has a strong emphasis on live music. Wednesday’s are Wine, Whiskey & Women, where two female acts perform original music. Fridays & Saturday’s showcase traditional Irish and folk music, while on Sundays, the DP hosts bluegrass.
What’s the food situation?
No kitchen to speak of, but they do a pretty killer toasted sandwich.
The final word
To be sure, to be sure.
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Thurs-Sat: 12pm-1am | Sun: 12-11pm | Tuesday 12-1am, 12pm-1am | 12pm – 1am
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