Best Pub Crawl Routes in Melbourne — 5 Classic Walks

Five tested pub crawl routes across Melbourne best drinking strips. From Fitzroy to St Kilda, each route covers 5-7 pubs with walking directions.

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MELBZ

The Melbourne Pub Crawl Is an Art Form

Every Australian city has pubs. Melbourne has pub strips — streets where five or six excellent bars sit within walking distance, each with its own personality. Here are five routes tested and refined by locals.

Route 1: Smith Street, Collingwood to Fitzroy

Distance: 1.5 km | Pubs: 6 | Vibe: Indie, local

  1. The Gasometer (Smith & Queens Pde) — Start with a pot in the front bar
  2. The Tote (Johnston & Wellington) — One beer, soak in the history
  3. Bar Open (Brunswick St) — Basement bar, local vibe
  4. The Standard (Fitzroy) — Upstairs for a wine
  5. The Napier (corner of Napier & Fitzroy St) — Classic pub, good finish
  6. The Provincial (Brunswick St) — Nightcap in the front bar

Route 2: Chapel Street, Prahran to South Yarra

Distance: 1.2 km | Pubs: 5 | Vibe: Mixed, from grungy to polished

  1. Revolver (Chapel St) — Start early, before the club crowd
  2. The Emerson (Chapel St) — Rooftop drink
  3. Borneo (Chapel St) — Cocktail pit stop
  4. Leonard’s House of Love (detour to South Yarra) — Wine bar finish
  5. The Local (Bay St) — Final pint in a proper pub

Route 3: Fitzroy Street to Acland Street, St Kilda

Distance: 1 km | Pubs: 5 | Vibe: Beachside, relaxed

  1. The Prince (Fitzroy St) — Start at the bandroom bar
  2. Dog’s Bar (Acland St) — No-frills local
  3. Pontoon (Acland St) — Waterside drinks
  4. The Espy (The Esplanade) — Multiple bars in one building
  5. Claypots (near shore) — Seafood and a final glass of wine

Route 4: Sydney Road, Brunswick

Distance: 2 km | Pubs: 5 | Vibe: Multicultural, eclectic

  1. The Penny Black (start at north end) — Good tap list
  2. The Retreat — Live music, front bar
  3. Bar Loretta — Wine and small plates
  4. The Brunswick Green — Neighbourhood classic
  5. Bar Idda — End with Sicilian wine

Route 5: Laneways, CBD

Distance: 1 km | Pubs: 5 | Vibe: Hidden bars, laneway culture

  1. Section 8 (Tattersalls Lane) — Container bar to start
  2. Bar Americano (Presgrave Pl) — One perfect cocktail
  3. Goldilocks (rooftop) — View and a glass
  4. Cherry Bar (AC/DC Lane) — Rock’n’roll mid-crawl
  5. Heartbreaker (Russell St) — Dive bar finish

Pub Crawl Rules

  1. Eat before you start — Melbourne pub food is good, but eat a proper meal first
  2. Pace yourself — one drink per stop, not two
  3. Stay hydrated — Melbourne gets warm; carry water between stops
  4. Respect staff — if they cut you off, thank them and move along

More bar recommendations in our suburb bar guides.