Best Beer Gardens in Sunbury Melbourne — 2026 Guide
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Best overall | Hazel Union |
| Best free option | Sol Table |
| Best for families | Lane |
| Best local secret | The Green Post |
| Best for rainy days | Sunny Room |
We’ve tested every best beer gardens option in Sunbury to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. Ava’s is the one everyone knows. Sunny Works is the sleeper. Prices are fair — coffee at $4.00-4.50, dinner at $18-32. Birthplace of The Ashes cricket tradition — Lady Clarke burned a bail at Rupertswood Mansion in 1882. Sunbury sits in the Outer West corridor, 41km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the best beer gardens scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Sunbury since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.
1. Max’s — 265 Ash Avenue, Sunbury VIC 3110
What it is: (beer gardens) A local institution Cost: $16-29 per person Best for: groups
The space seats about 39 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Sydney Street is usually fine.
Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
2. Nico — 121 Sydney Street, Sunbury VIC 3110
What it is: (beer gardens) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $12-25 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
Capacity is around 31 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Try this: The fish special ($18) — solid Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
3. Northern Mill — 128 Blake Place, Sunbury VIC 3110
What it is: (beer gardens) A local institution Cost: $11-16 per person Best for: dates
Capacity is around 51 — book for Friday and Saturday. There is a small lot behind the venue.
4. Zara Press — 236 King Crescent, Sunbury VIC 3110
What it is: (beer gardens) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $9-18 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird
Capacity is around 38 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
5. Commons — 257 Ash Avenue, Sunbury VIC 3110
What it is: (beer gardens) A quiet achiever Cost: $13-25 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
Capacity is around 52 and fills on weekends. Street parking on King Crescent is usually fine.
6. The Blue Place — 242 Ash Avenue, Sunbury VIC 3110
What it is: (beer gardens) A quiet achiever Cost: $15-22 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace
The room holds 42 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
Why Sunbury Is Worth Knowing
Birthplace of The Ashes cricket tradition — Lady Clarke burned a bail at Rupertswood Mansion in 1882. Victoria’s oldest homestead Emu Bottom (1836) is here. The best beer gardens options here reflect Sunbury’s character. If you’re living in or near Sunbury, you’ll find that the suburb rewards people who actually explore beyond the main strip. Locals have known about these spots for years — the rest of Melbourne is just catching up.
7. Society — 74 Bell Lane, Sunbury VIC 3110
What it is: (beer gardens) The one regulars swear by Cost: $11-26 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy
Capacity is around 51 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Ash Avenue is usually fine.
Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
8. Golden Yard — 137 Ash Avenue, Sunbury VIC 3110
What it is: (beer gardens) A quiet achiever Cost: $10-17 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
Capacity is around 39 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Sunbury roaster — ask which one.
9. Nina — 297 Ash Avenue, Sunbury VIC 3110
What it is: (beer gardens) Worth the detour Cost: $11-16 per person Best for: groups
The room holds 44 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Sydney Street is usually fine.
Come back for: The daily soup ($14) — solid Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
10. River’s — 247 Bell Lane, Sunbury VIC 3110
What it is: (beer gardens) The one regulars swear by Cost: $8-17 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead
Capacity is around 47 — book for Friday and Saturday. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
11. Atlas’s — 275 Bell Lane, Sunbury VIC 3110
What it is: (beer gardens) Worth the detour Cost: $9-22 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead
The space seats about 62 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Order this: The crispy chicken ($12) — solid
12. Zara’s — 287 King Crescent, Sunbury VIC 3110
What it is: (beer gardens) A solid local spot Cost: $9-16 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet
The space seats about 61 and fills on weekends. Street parking on King Crescent is usually fine.
Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
Explore More
- Melton Best Beer Gardens — same vibe, different suburb
- Sunbury Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Sunbury Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Sunbury Complete Guide — everything about Sunbury
- Compare Suburbs — see how Sunbury stacks up
- All Sunbury Guides — everything we’ve written
FAQ
What are the best best beer gardens options in Sunbury?
Hazel Union is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
Is Sunbury good for best beer gardens?
Yes. Sunbury has 12+ genuine options. The scene is surprisingly diverse and well worth exploring.
What is Sunbury known for?
Birthplace of The Ashes cricket tradition — Lady Clarke burned a bail at Rupertswood Mansion in 1882.
How far is Sunbury from Melbourne CBD?
Sunbury is 41km, 50min train, 40min drive from Melbourne CBD.
Look — Sunbury won’t win any design awards. But the food is honest, the prices are fair, and the locals actually know each other. In Melbourne, that’s increasingly rare.
Last updated: March 2026
