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10 Best Beer Garden Melbourne Has To Offer [2024]

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Best Beer Garden Melbourne

Best Beer Garden Melbourne
Best Beer Garden Melbourne

A beer garden is taken from the German phrase “Biergarten” in essence. It refers to an open-air area where people may get beer and food. Most first-time visitors believe that beer gardens just provide endless beer. The assumption, however, is not totally correct. In other words, beer gardens provide fast refreshments to go along with your beer choices. German sausages and the ever-popular salty pretzels are two of the most popular finger foods. We hope this information assists you in locating the finest beer garden Melbourne has to offer.

1. Jimmy Watson’s

Key ServicesModern Australian Cuisine, Full Bar Available, Gluten Free Options, Shared Plates, Vegetarian Friendly
Websitehttps://jimmywatsons.info/
Address333 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
Phone+61 3 9347 3985
E-mailinfo@jimmywatsons.com
Operating Hours12PM – 10PM Tuesdays – Thursdays | 12PM – 11PM Fridays – Saturdays | 12PM – 4PM Sundays

Jimmy took over the wine bar in 1935, and in the years since then, it has become a beloved institution in the city of Melbourne. As the Australian Financial Review noted not long ago, Jimmy Watson’s is indisputably one of Australia’s first little pubs, and it epitomizes Melbourne’s character in many ways. The wine bar, sometimes called an institution, is a social hub where people gather to test hypotheses, make bargains, debate, laugh, make deals, make choices, make assignations, and change the world over a glass of wine. This is why they are one of the top beer garden Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • one of Australia’s first little pubs
  • a social hub where people gather

Customer Testimonial:

“Don’t miss the courtyard/beer garden out the back. Definitely worth a visit.”

Gavin

2. Windsor Castle

Key ServicesPub Food, Modern Australian Cuisine, Craft Beer, Outdoor Seating, Fireplace
Websitehttp://www.windsorcastle.com.au/
Addresslevel 1/89 Albert St, Windsor VIC 3181, Australia
Phone+61 3 9525 0239
E-mailbookings@windsorcastle.com.au
Operating Hours3PM – 11PM Mondays – Thursdays | 12PM – 1AM Fridays – Saturdays | 12PM – 11PM Sundays

The Windsor Castle offers an experienced staff of event organizers to guarantee a flawless and memorable occasion. Their available venues include the dining room, beer garden, and the Windsor’s second floor. In their private areas, you may create the ideal atmosphere with your own music, or they can provide a DJ for the evening. Contact their staff and they will customize a plan to fit your budget. This verdant, jungle-like sanctuary, regarded as one of Melbourne’s best beer gardens, is the ideal outdoor gathering location. This is why they are one of the top beer garden Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • experienced staff of event organizers
  • available venues include the dining room, beer garden, and the Windsor’s second floor
  • private areas

Customer Testimonial:

“I totally forgot this place existed.  But boy, I’m pleased to have found the Windsor Castle again. Great pub to go to if your looking for a beer garden to relax in with good friends, food, and a pint of something cold.”

Pup Pog

3. The Retreat

Key ServicesPub Food, Modern Australian Cuisine, Traditional Pub Feel, Pet Friendly Courtyard, Live Music
Websitehttps://retreathotelbrunswick.com.au/
Address280 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056, Australia
Phone+61 3 9380 4090
E-mailinfo@retreathotelbrunswick.com.au
Operating Hours12PM – 1AM Mondays – Thursdays, Sundays | 12PM – 3AM Fridays – Saturdays

Amelia Shaw, named after The Retreat Hotel’s first licensee in 1842, retains this lineage but incorporates design aspects from other eras, especially American West Coast Deco with constructivist and contemporary touches. The Retreat Hotel’s attraction is its live music. It’s been well-known for years, and it continues to host outstanding music. A renowned beer garden is situated beyond the dance floor. Astroturf on the floor, fairy lights on a large knobby tree, and plenty of seating make it a terrific place to hang out with friends and listen to music. This is why they are one of the top beer garden Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • American West Coast Deco with constructivist and contemporary touches
  • beer garden is situated beyond the dance floor
  • fairy lights on a large knobby tree

Customer Testimonial:

“Just a great pub with a great atmosphere. The old tree in the beer garden is incredible and If it could talk it would have some great stories about this place. The site of one of the oldest hotels in Melbourne.”

Francesjk Keyland

4. The Alderman

Key ServicesPub Food, Modern Australian Cuisine, Art Deco Inspired, Fireplace, Expansive Courtyard, Beautiful Curved Central Bar
WebsiteFacebook
Address134 Lygon St, Brunswick East VIC 3057, Australia
Phone+61 3 9380 9003
E-mailinfo@thealderman.com.au
Operating Hours5PM – 11PM Tuesdays – Thursdays | 5PM – 1AM Fridays | 3PM – 1AM Saturdays

The Alderman Brunswick East Bar is well-loved by the neighborhood because of its stylish art deco decor and relaxing atmosphere. There are 3 private enclaves in this region. The Alderman Brunswick Bar is a wonderful place to relax with friends after a long day. The Alderman has a large courtyard that is illuminated by fairy lights during the warmer months and still draws attention throughout the winter and spring. This is why they are one of the top beer garden Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • art deco decor
  • relaxing atmosphere
  • 3 private enclaves
  • large courtyard illuminated by fairy lights

Customer Testimonial:

“This place is my new fav. Great staff, brilliant cocktails and a amazing atmosphere.”

Scott Wilford

5. Great Northern Hotel

Key ServicesClassic Pub, Sporting Memorabilia, Beer Garden, Live Sport, Cold Pints, Pub Food, Modern Australian Cuisine
Websitehttps://www.gnh.net.au/
Address644 Rathdowne St, Carlton North VIC 3054, Australia
Phone+61 3 9380 9569
E-mailinfo@gnh.net.au
Operating Hours11AM – 12AM Sundays – Wednesdays | 11AM – 1AM Thursdays – Saturdays

The next-to-last on our list is renowned for its enormous beer garden. As far as anyone knows, the beer garden at The Great Northern is the biggest in all of Melbourne, if not all of Australia. Please take our advice and make a trip here. Several items on our list have been described as “unique,” but this one really stands out. They hope that the Great Northern will continue to serve as a place where Melburnians may gather to celebrate life’s milestones for many years to come, as it has since its establishment in 1883. This is why they are one of the top beer garden Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • enormous beer garden
  • biggest in all of Melbourne
  • unique

Customer Testimonial:

“Great pub, has that old school style still but is very clean. Friendly staff. Lovely food. Huge beer garden outside.”

Lalita Horton

6. Welcome to Thornbury

Key ServicesPermanent Food Truck Park, Live Music, Outdoor Heating, Nightlife, Pub Food, Modern Australian Cuisine
Websitehttps://welcometothornbury.com/
Address520 High St, Northcote VIC 3070, Australia
Phone+61 3 9020 7940
E-mailinfo@welcometothornbury.com
Operating Hours5PM – 10PM Wednesdays | 5PM – 11PM Thursdays | 5PM – 12AM Fridays | 12PM – 12AM Saturday | 12PM – 10PM Sundays                                         

Once a car factory for most of the 20th century, Welcome to Thornbury is now Melbourne’s biggest beer garden and home to the city’s only permanent bar and food truck stop. The five to seven food trucks that will be there each day will be only a small sampling of the 80 that will be parked nearby for the whole month. The outside space at this location can accommodate up to 530 guests, while the building as a whole is authorized to host at least 700 guests. This is why they are one of the top beer garden Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • beer garden
  • only permanent bar and food truck stop
  • food trucks

Customer Testimonial:

“Came here on a lovely Sunday afternoon and the place was filled with great vibes. A really nice bar with a few food trucks and even an arcade area, it really is fun for the whole family. They also have a seemingly endless amount of beers on tap which always gets the 5-star review from me. Would definitely come back again.”

Thomas L.

7. Wesley Anne

Key ServicesVegetarian Friendly, Live Music, Available For Functions, Pub Food, Modern Australian Cuisine
Websitehttps://wesleyanne.com.au/
Address250 High St, Northcote VIC 3070, Australia
Phone+61 3 9482 1333
E-mailinfo@wesleyanne.com.au
Operating Hours12PM – 11PM Mondays – Thursdays, Sundays | 12PM – 1AM Fridays – Saturdays

What you’re looking for is at the Wesley Anne. At least if a verdant beer garden is part of the deal. Once you’ve adjusted to the bar’s gothic decor, you’ll find a relaxing atmosphere perfect for unwinding with a drink. If you’re looking for a unique bar experience, the fact that this one is located in a converted church should be enough to win you over. If the ambiance doesn’t do it, the quality of the meal and the variety of beverages offered will. This is why they are one of the top beer garden Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • beer garden
  • gothic decor
  • relaxing atmosphere
  • converted church

Customer Testimonial:

“Such a nice evening in the beer garden by the open fire with friends. Lovely dinner at reasonable price & they made our fur boys welcome too. The staff were fabulous & added to our enjoyment of the evening. We will be back!”

Maree Wilson

8.Paradise Alley

Key ServicesCraft Beer, Full Bar Available, Nightlife, Indoor Seating, Pub Food, Modern Australian Cuisine
Websitehttps://www.paradisealley.com.au/
Address25 Easey St, Collingwood VIC 3066, Australia
Phone+61 3 9029 8484
E-maildrink@paradisealley.com.au
Operating Hours4PM – 1AM Wednesdays – Fridays | 2PM – 1AM Saturdays | 2PM – 11PM Sundays

Nights spent at Paradise Alley are certain to be unforgettable. The bar’s community element, in which it collaborates with other local businesses to serve customers with food and beverages, is one factor contributing to the establishment’s high degree of attraction. This is a key reason why the school is so popular among prospective students. In part because it offers both an outside dining area and walls covered in graffiti art, one of the eateries on our list is known for being among the most cost-effective to run. This is why they are one of the top beer garden Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • beer garden
  • community element
  • local businesses

Customer Testimonial:

“The staff are absolutely lovely and great to chat to. Drinks are awesome, and environment is adorable. Highly recommend”

Sarah Emery

9. Garden State Hotel

Key ServicesFour-level Pub, Cocktails, Fries, Drinks, Salad, Chips, Pub Food, Modern Australian Cuisine
Websitehttps://gardenstatehotel.com.au/
Address101 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Phone+61 3 8396 5777
E-mailinfo.GardenStateHotel@ausvenueco.com.au
Operating Hours12PM – 11PM Tuesdays – Thursdays, Sundays | 12PM – 3AM Fridays – Saturdays

The Garden State Hotel is a multi-story party palace that can accommodate more than 800 revelers. The hotel’s beating heart is its expansive, tiered Beer Garden, where towering ficus trees and verdant landscaping bring the outside inside and create an atmosphere that will make you forget you’re only steps from Flinders Lane. Their public bar is a bustling social hub, where locals congregate for drinks after work and on weekends to enjoy their favorite brews. The Rose Garden, located in the basement, is a cozy hangout for those who like cocktails and a more relaxed atmosphere for socializing. This is why they are one of the top beer garden Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • beer garden
  • tiered beer garden
  • public bar
  • Rose Garden

Customer Testimonial:

“Popped in for a quick drink before dining across the road. Was my wife’s birthday. The bartender immediately recommended a cocktail and proceeded to shake things up. Can’t fault them. Amazing service. Great setting”

Justin Jolley

10. Whitehart

Key ServicesServes Cocktails, Outdoor Heating, Laneway, Pet Friendly, Pub Food, Modern Australian Cuisine
Websitehttps://www.whitehartbar.com.au/
Address22 Whitehart Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Phone+61 3 9602 2260
E-maildrink@whitehartbar.com.au
Operating Hours12PM – 11PM Sundays – Wednesdays | 12PM – 12AM Thursdays| 12PM – 1AM Fridays – Saturdays

The existence of white harts has been the stuff of legend for a very long time. The ancient Celts thought it was a portent of doom. The French believed that breaking a white person’s heart would result in eternal unrequited love. To the Scots, it was a symbol of perfection, redemption, and good fortune. It’s a term used to describe a gathering place in Melbourne, Australia, where people can enjoy great tunes, handcrafted beverages, small-batch wines, creative menus, artistic projections, and street art. This is why they are one of the top beer garden Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • beer garden
  • handcrafted beverages
  • small-batch wines
  • creative menus

Customer Testimonial:

“Industrial city garden bar right off Lonsdale St. Great selection of gins and whiskies, with a few craft beers on tap. Friendly staff and plenty of plants.”

Damian Norton

Beer Garden Melbourne

Overall, everyone loves eating with a breathtaking view all around them. When you visit a beer garden, your surroundings are just as important as the cuisine. Beer gardens provide a pleasant outdoor setting as well as a lively social atmosphere. Though each beer garden is intended to deliver a comparable experience, the overall ambiance might vary. We hope this information assists you in locating the finest beer garden Melbourne has to offer.

If you’re looking for more recommendations, you can check out our other posts below:

Rachel Tan - FunEmpire

Article by

I'm currently the editor at FunEmpire Media Australia. I've over 8 years of experience in the media industry discovering the best local businesses, places and things to do in Australia. From lifestyle, entertainment, food, travel, education and more, I strive to curate the very best Australia has to offer.