sports bar melbourne

Where To Find The Best Sports Bar In Melbourne?

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    You're probably in dire need of the best atmospheric and passionate bars and pubs in Melbourne as the major Australian sporting seasons near their glorious finals seasons. Melbourne is a city that loves its sports, so if you're searching for just a sports bar, you won't have any trouble finding one there.

    Which soccer team do you cheer for the most? Every major sporting event is shown at these Melbourne establishments, and you can enjoy delicious food and drinks while watching your team win. The best spot to watch your team rout the competition while eating a burger and drinking a beer is at a sports bar.

    We're all too familiar with the perennial predicament of having nowhere to cheer at your favourite team when they play an away game or when you can't get tickets (or flights) towards the big game. Fortunately, Melbourne is home to a plethora of fun and inviting sports bars where you can catch all the action of your favourite teams while enjoying a wide variety of beers and pub classics. Melbourne's sports pubs will give you the sensation like you're experiencing the real thing, minus the astronomical pricing and long lines. There are many great places to watch sporting events in Melbourne, Australia, so if you're in town for a game, you should check out a rugby union pub, an Australian rules football bar, or another popular establishment.

    If you want to enjoy true Space Coast sports nightlife, you need to hit to the top Melbourne sports pubs.

    The Imperial

    One of the best and oldest sports bars in Melbourne's central business district can be found at The Imperial. The Imperial is the best sports pub in the city for a number of reasons, including the fantastic rooftop bar, wonderful English cuisine menu, and impressive wine and beer list. If it's being played anywhere in the world, you can bet they'll be playing it too. The logical next step is for you to tune in.

    sports pub melbourne

    Finding a large venue in Melbourne's central business district might be challenging, but at the very summit of Bourke Street sits The Imperial, the city's third-oldest bar. Besides the Premier League, this is also a great place to watch rugby, football, tennis, or golf. Consequently, go to the Imperial and watch a game of any kind. There will be a sea of raucous red fans there to cheer for Liverpool FC, as this is their home ground in Melbourne. Is there any other benefits? The rooftop bar is spacious, offering stunning panoramas of the city, and the restaurant has recently introduced a new menu that has plenty of tasty options to fill your stomach.

    The Sporting Globe

    the sporting globe

    The Sporting Globe is everyone's neighbourhood bar because it has so many locations all around Melbourne and beyond. There are more than 30 screens in each of their Melbourne sports pubs, so you can watch the UFC, NRL, AFL, Performance . the performance Cup, or any sporting event you could possibly want to see. Delicious food, a sportsbook (TAB), and massive events create an unrivalled environment for watching the major games.

    The Great Northern

    Any sports lover in Melbourne should make a stop to The Great Northern, one of the city's best sports bars. With 10 high-definition screens and two giant projector screens, sports fans may watch games from the National Football League, and English Champions League, and Australian Cricket League, and the National Rugby League. If you and your friends are in Melbourne to witness an early morning international match, you will be welcomed early. In addition to the finest pub food in city, you'll also find a welcoming staff and a pleasant outdoor beer garden.

    the great northern melbourne

    Located in Melbourne's north, the Great Northern lives up to the promise of its name. Even if you don't set out to watch sports, you'll likely find yourself doing so on one of the 10 HD TVs strategically placed around the bar and adjacent beer garden. The Northern is known as the "unofficial headquarters of Freo," so if you don't root for the Dockers, you better be ready to defend yourself. Feel free to watch other sports outside Australian rules football (AFL) at the pub.

    The College Lawn Hotel

    Weekends just at College Lawn Hotel may be spent watching all the major sporting events live on their massive plasma screens. This Melbourne bar has a restaurant, beer garden, and main bar, making it ideal for watching the weekend's games.

    To find a bar that excels at what it does best — providing a welcoming atmosphere and a sunny Sunday afternoon — travellers should make their way to the Prahran backstreets. If you're looking to watch a game on the weekend, College Lawn is packed with rugby lovers, but don't worry if that's not your thing; the bar has dozens of TVs, and we're confident you'll find something that you like on at least one of them. On Fridays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., pints are only $6, plus there's a bottle shop right there.

    Crownbet Sports Bar & Pub

    The Crown is home to one of Melbourne's liveliest sports bars thanks to its Sports Bar and Pub. Immerse yourself in the excitement of all the world's most important sporting events and fulfil your every athletic need. Twenty TVs and TAB services are available in the Crown's Sports Bar, and the pub has eight large TVs and one gigantic screen to make sure you don't miss a minute of the action.

    Richmond Club Hotel

    When it comes to watching rugby union, or any other sport for that matter, the Richmond Club Hotel is among the best pubs in all of Melbourne. You may cheer on their favourite player or team in comfort and style while enjoying unrivalled happy hour specials and breathtaking views of the city.

    The Bells Hotel

    the bells hotel melbourne

    Bells Hotel is the South Melbourne dive bar to visit if you want to watch games, get up on sports news, or experience seasonal events. This sports pub has outdoor seating, a large number of betting options, and 38 TVs showing Foxtel & Sky sports. Visit this top CBD sports bar for the exciting atmosphere of any major sporting event.

    Turf Bar

    Plunge into the lively environment of Turf Bar and you'll quickly feel like a part of the activity. Because of its friendly staff, large selection of tasty drinks and snacks, and convenient location, this sports bar is among the best in Melbourne's central business district.

    If you're in the mood for some American football or baseball, Turf Bar might have been the place for you. They provide a varied schedule and excellent facilities, including large screens and powerful audio so you can hear every match or private screening chambers if you like. Pints are $6 and bar nibbles are $3 on Friday nights.

    The Swan

    the swan melbourne

    To enjoy AFL in style, The Swan is among Melbourne's top bars. Only the extensive variety of sporting events shown on their numerous TVs can compare to the opulent allure of their many rooms. Don't just stop by for the cheap and tasty pub grub; stay for the live music and fun environment as well.

    View Hotel

    You may have heard about Mt View Hotel's acclaimed rooftop bar and inventive drinks, but have you heard about the establishment that was just crowned the greatest sports bar in Melbourne? Throw in some of Richmond's most famous drinks and the staples of any bar, and you've got yourself a winner.

    Silverlake Social

    Silverlake Social offers a taste of the laid-back atmosphere typical of Southern California local taphouses, as well as the classic bar food, handcrafted beers, and world-famous American sports that go along with them. This sports pub in Melbourne's central business district will be broadcasting the greatest local games, in addition to the NFL and MLB championships, live and loud.

    The Precinct Hotel

    Located across the street from Richmond's sports and entertainment districts, the historic Precinct Hotel features all the excitement of a big game in the enormous courtyard, shorter bar lines, and delicious pub fare of your favourite local. It's one of best places in Melbourne to catch an AFL game, but beware if you are not a die-hard Tigers fan.

    The Castle Hotel

    the castle hotel melbourne

    This North Melbourne Belgian beer tavern is a popular hangout for Melbourne's rugby union fans. The extensive menu of sharing plates, traditional pub fare, and innovative gourmet cuisine is sure to whet your appetite if the extensive list of Belgian beers doesn't. Plus, the sports bar at The Castle Hotel has recently been renovated into the most exciting place to cheer for your side.

    The Empress

    If you're looking for a calmer place to watch an AFL game and enjoy a pint, the Empress in northern Fitzroy is the place to go. Settling in for a night in their quaint beer garden to watch the footy while enjoying a very, very good chicken parma is possible thanks to the upscale pub food and abundance of options for vegetarian or vegan fare.

    The Lomond

    If you're looking for a pub with a good selection of draft beers and a cosy atmosphere, look no farther than The Lomond. Tonight is Irish music night with real performers (classic). The Lomond is a popular sports bar where you can always find at least two games being wagered on and a handful of punters. Add a glass of Hahn or a pork belly burger, and by the time the final quarter is done, you'll be stumbling home to bed.

    London Tavern

    Take a peek around the London Tavern if you're in need of a bar close to the G; it's been around since 1921 but is regarded as something of a soccer landmark in the neighbourhood. Spend a Saturday or Sunday evening there watching the game and Thursdays for the massive meat raffle. The MCG activity might be audible from your seat if you don't cause an excessive amount of commotion.

    The Corner Hotel

    The Corner isn't only a great place to see concerts, though; there are a number of other things to do there as well. You can kick things off on Wednesdays with a fun trivia night. While the huge rooftop beer garden is now closed for renovations, the American food truck is serving patrons on the ground floor. Even more importantly, it is located in the centre of all the activity and features large screens and a fantastic vibe. Do your shopping here on the big game day.

    Charles Dickens

    When you enter The Charles Dickens, you'll feel like you've been transported back a few decades; it's one of those classic British pubs with an endlessly endearing charm. British common sense dictates that you should order a pastry (you always deserve a pie) and play a game. At this bar, you can choose from watching the rugby, Premier League, or Australian Football on four different televisions. The Dickens also offers takeout beer for those late-game celebrations.

    The Leveson

    At The Leveson, perhaps one North Melbourne's better pubs, the chicken paratactic is as delicious as the happy hour specials. Grand Final weekend (or Super Bowl morning) at The Leveson is just a busy one, as the bar features both free concerts on Fridays and screenings of the big game on its televisions. A hearty steak menu, roaring fire, and a fun Grand Final day party (complete with a coffee martini bar) make this a top pick for this year.

    melbourne sports pub

    Cbd Bars And Pubs

    The Crafty Squire is a massive beer barn with 24 TVs, making it an ideal venue for watching the Grand Final. In honour of the AFL Grand Final, guests of the famous Imperial Hotel in Bourke Street can attend a rooftop viewing party. On Grand Final Day, the Garden Government Hotel will access at 10 am and provide a drinks and quarter pounder package, while the Boatbuilders Yard, a waterfront bar, will host a Finals Day Party beginning at noon, complete with handball competitions, a barbeque feast, and live broadcast of the game on a massive outdoor screen.

    North Sidebars And Pubs

    If you're looking for a classic Melbourne breakfast on Grand Final Day, go no further than The Provincial (they will also be showing the game on the rooftop and the first floor). The Great Northern is a well-known hangout for sports fans thanks to its ten HDTVs, projection screen, and tendency to amplify the commentary. There are two places to watch the big game in Northcote: the Northcote Social Club (which has pie and drink deals and accepts bookings) and the Rochey (which is a divey, old-school bar airing the game live) (which also happens to serve authentic South Indian cuisine). Dine on grilled seafood or hot porchetta rolls as you watch the game on Johnny's Green Room's open rooftop.

    South Sidebars And Pubs

    In 2016, we voted the Palace Hotel in South Melbourne as the best bar in the city, and it remains our top pick for watching the Grand Final in the southern suburbs. There will be a final on every screen and $10 pizzas all day long (bookings accepted). If you'd like to throw a party in style, the Emerson has catering packages & VIP booths available. The Grand Final will be shown on 18 screens, and the party will continue with DJs long after final siren has sounded at Prahran College Lawn.

    East Sidebars And Pubs

    Have an early start for the MCG? Beginning at 10 a.m., Harlow will be offering breakfast burgers (while patrons can relax and watch the game on one of seven TVs). The hotel's front bar, carpark, rooftop, and guest rooms will all be available for use on Grand Final Day. There are fourteen screens set up around the venue for viewing the game, and the parking lot will be crowded with food trucks, bars, and other entertainment options for fans.

    The public bar at the Terminus Hotel in Abbotsford serves food and drinks for a set period of time, currently 5 hours. Nearby, the Auburn Hotel has built a grandstand with in beer garden and also is offering free refills on Furphy and other "footy goodies" in the spirit of the finals.

    West Sidebars And Pubs

    Repurposed warehouse turned bar Back Alley Sally's is giving specials on beer for such Grand Final, including $15 jugs and schooner-sized pints, in honour of the game. The Commercial Hotel in Yarraville hosts an all-ages, kid-friendly party every Grand Final Day after the final siren, complete with drink promotions, a handball competition, with live music. Were any of you people assaulted? If you're looking for some blues after the game, check out Rhyece O'Neill & Liam Wilkerson at the Drunken Poet.

    Conclusion

    Then, how would you describe the ideal sports bar in Melbourne? Ultimately, everything comes down to what you want and need. If you're searching for a restaurant where you can also watch sports, check out either The Sporting Globe or The Australian Pub. You can find a relaxed yet active atmosphere at either The Local Taphouse or The Imperial Hotel. In Melbourne, there are a tonne of great sports pubs to choose from if you want to see the game along your mates.

    Content Summary: 

    • You're probably in dire need of the best atmospheric and passionate bars and pubs in Melbourne as the major Australian sporting seasons near their glorious finals seasons.
    • Melbourne is a city that loves its sports, so if you're searching for just a sports bar, you won't have any trouble finding one there.
    • Which soccer team do you cheer for the most?
    • The best spot to watch your team rout the competition while eating a burger and drinking a beer is at a sports bar.
    • Fortunately, Melbourne is home to a plethora of fun and inviting sports bars where you can catch all the action of your favourite teams while enjoying a wide variety of beers and pub classics.
    • Melbourne's sports pubs will give you the sensation like you're experiencing the real thing, minus the astronomical pricing and long lines.
    • There are many great places to watch sporting events in Melbourne, Australia, so if you're in town for a game, you should check out a rugby union pub, an Australian rules football bar, or another popular establishment.
    • If you want to enjoy true Space Coast sports nightlife, you need to hit to the top Melbourne sports pubs.
    • The Imperial One of the best and oldest sports bars in Melbourne's central business district can be found at The Imperial.
    • The Imperial is the best sports pub in the city for a number of reasons, including the fantastic rooftop bar, wonderful English cuisine menu, and impressive wine and beer list.
    • The logical next step is for you to tune in.sports pub melbourne
    • Finding a large venue in Melbourne's central business district might be challenging, but at the very summit of Bourke Street sits The Imperial, the city's third-oldest bar.
    • Besides the Premier League, this is also a great place to watch rugby, football, tennis, or golf.
    • Consequently, go to the Imperial and watch a game of any kind.
    • The Sporting Globe the sporting globeThe Sporting Globe is everyone's neighbourhood bar because it has so many locations all around Melbourne and beyond.
    • the performance Cup, or any sporting event you could possibly want to see.
    • The Great Northern Any sports lover in Melbourne should make a stop to The Great Northern, one of the city's best sports bars.
    • Feel free to watch other sports outside Australian rules football (AFL) at the pub.
    • The College Lawn Hotel Weekends just at College Lawn Hotel may be spent watching all the major sporting events live on their massive plasma screens.
    • This Melbourne bar has a restaurant, beer garden, and main bar, making it ideal for watching the weekend's games.
    • If you're looking to watch a game on the weekend, College Lawn is packed with rugby lovers, but don't worry if that's not your thing; the bar has dozens of TVs, and we're confident you'll find something that you like on at least one of them.
    • The Crown is home to one of Melbourne's liveliest sports bars thanks to its Sports Bar and Pub.
    • Immerse yourself in the excitement of all the world's most important sporting events and fulfil your every athletic need.
    • When it comes to watching rugby union, or any other sport for that matter, the Richmond Club Hotel is among the best pubs in all of Melbourne.
    • Bells Hotel is the South Melbourne dive bar to visit if you want to watch games, get up on sports news, or experience seasonal events.
    • Visit this top CBD sports bar for the exciting atmosphere of any major sporting event.
    • Turf Bar Plunge into the lively environment of Turf Bar and you'll quickly feel like a part of the activity.
    • If you're in the mood for some American football or baseball, Turf Bar might have been the place for you.
    • The Swan the swan melbourneTo enjoy AFL in style, The Swan is among Melbourne's top bars.
    • View Hotel You may have heard about Mt View Hotel's acclaimed rooftop bar and inventive drinks, but have you heard about the establishment that was just crowned the greatest sports bar in Melbourne?
    • This sports pub in Melbourne's central business district will be broadcasting the greatest local games, in addition to the NFL and MLB championships, live and loud.
    • Located across the street from Richmond's sports and entertainment districts, the historic Precinct Hotel features all the excitement of a big game in the enormous courtyard, shorter bar lines, and delicious pub fare of your favourite local.
    • It's one of best places in Melbourne to catch an AFL game, but beware if you are not a die-hard Tigers fan.
    • The Castle Hotel the castle hotel melbourneThis North Melbourne Belgian beer tavern is a popular hangout for Melbourne's rugby union fans.
    • Plus, the sports bar at The Castle Hotel has recently been renovated into the most exciting place to cheer for your side.
    • The Empress If you're looking for a calmer place to watch an AFL game and enjoy a pint, the Empress in northern Fitzroy is the place to go.
    • Settling in for a night in their quaint beer garden to watch the footy while enjoying a very, very good chicken parma is possible thanks to the upscale pub food and abundance of options for vegetarian or vegan fare.
    • The Lomond If you're looking for a pub with a good selection of draft beers and a cosy atmosphere, look no farther than The Lomond.
    • Take a peek around the London Tavern if you're in need of a bar close to the G; it's been around since 1921 but is regarded as something of a soccer landmark in the neighbourhood.
    • Spend a Saturday or Sunday evening there watching the game and Thursdays for the massive meat raffle.
    • The Corner isn't only a great place to see concerts, though; there are a number of other things to do there as well.
    • Do your shopping here on the big game day.
    • When you enter The Charles Dickens, you'll feel like you've been transported back a few decades; it's one of those classic British pubs with an endlessly endearing charm.
    • At this bar, you can choose from watching the rugby, Premier League, or Australian Football on four different televisions.
    • At The Leveson, perhaps one North Melbourne's better pubs, the chicken paratactic is as delicious as the happy hour specials.
    • Grand Final weekend (or Super Bowl morning) at The Leveson is just a busy one, as the bar features both free concerts on Fridays and screenings of the big game on its televisions.
    • A hearty steak menu, roaring fire, and a fun Grand Final day party (complete with a coffee martini bar) make this a top pick for this year.melbourne sports pubCbd Bars And Pubs The Crafty Squire is a massive beer barn with 24 TVs, making it an ideal venue for watching the Grand Final.
    • In honour of the AFL Grand Final, guests of the famous Imperial Hotel in Bourke Street can attend a rooftop viewing party.
    • On Grand Final Day, the Garden Government Hotel will access at 10 am and provide a drinks and quarter pounder package, while the Boatbuilders Yard, a waterfront bar, will host a Finals Day Party beginning at noon, complete with handball competitions, a barbeque feast, and live broadcast of the game on a massive outdoor screen.
    • If you're looking for a classic Melbourne breakfast on Grand Final Day, go no further than The Provincial (they will also be showing the game on the rooftop and the first floor).
    • The Great Northern is a well-known hangout for sports fans thanks to its ten HDTVs, projection screen, and tendency to amplify the commentary.
    • In 2016, we voted the Palace Hotel in South Melbourne as the best bar in the city, and it remains our top pick for watching the Grand Final in the southern suburbs.
    • There will be a final on every screen and $10 pizzas all day long (bookings accepted).
    • If you'd like to throw a party in style, the Emerson has catering packages & VIP booths available.
    • Beginning at 10 a.m., Harlow will be offering breakfast burgers (while patrons can relax and watch the game on one of seven TVs).
    • The hotel's front bar, carpark, rooftop, and guest rooms will all be available for use on Grand Final Day.
    • There are fourteen screens set up around the venue for viewing the game, and the parking lot will be crowded with food trucks, bars, and other entertainment options for fans.
    • The public bar at the Terminus Hotel in Abbotsford serves food and drinks for a set period of time, currently 5 hours.
    • West Sidebars And Pubs Repurposed warehouse turned bar Back Alley Sally's is giving specials on beer for such Grand Final, including $15 jugs and schooner-sized pints, in honour of the game.
    • The Commercial Hotel in Yarraville hosts an all-ages, kid-friendly party every Grand Final Day after the final siren, complete with drink promotions, a handball competition, with live music.
    • If you're looking for some blues after the game, check out Rhyece O'Neill & Liam Wilkerson at the Drunken Poet.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Bar

    • Crafty Squire. Melbourne.
    • Melbourne. The best pub in Melbourne just got a little better.
    • Beer DeLuxe Fed Square. Melbourne.
    • European Bier Cafe. Melbourne.
    • The Empress Hotel Fitzroy North.
    • Sanctuary Lakes Hotel Point Cook. 
    • Prince Alfred Hotel Port Melbourne. 
    • The Sporting Globe - Moonee Ponds Moonee Ponds. 
    • Precinct Hotel Richmond. 
    • The Steam Packet Hotel Williamstown. 
    • Joey Smalls Brunswick.
    • The Imperial. The Imperial boasts one of the oldest and best sports bars in Melbourne CBD. 
    • The Sporting Globe.
    • The Great Northern.
    • The College Lawn Hotel.
    • CrownBet Sports Bar & Pub.
    • Richmond Club Hotel.
    • The Bells Hotel.
    • Turf Bar.
    • Buffalo Bar. Brisbane. 
    • Pineapple Hotel. Brisbane.

    According to the National Cricket Census, a record 1,311,184 people played Cricket across Australia in 2015–16, an 8.5 per cent increase on 2014–15 – placing cricket at No. 1 as the current top participation sport in Australia.

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