Best Pubs in Mulgrave — 2026 Guide

Mulgrave’s pubs scene is affordable, diverse, developing — and the pubs reflect it. Whether you want a quiet midweek drink or a full Friday night, there are options that don’t require leaving the suburb.

Standard prices: pint $10-12, cocktail $15-20. Happy hour (usually 5-7pm) knocks $3-5 off at most places.

Our Top Picks

1. Wide Local — 221 Willow Terrace

Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-11pm Vibe: Rooftop terrace, sunset views Drinks: $10-12

The pub the suburb rallies around. Wide Local gets the fundamentals right — good drinks, comfortable room, staff who know the menu. The tap list rotates monthly, which keeps regulars from getting bored. The courtyard is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.

Drink this: The house lager on tap ($10-12). When to go: Tuesday for trivia and half-price pots.

2. Nell — 331 Willow Terrace

Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Open-air, fairy lights, garden seats

The quiet achiever. Nell doesn’t have a PR budget or an Instagram strategy — it has regulars who come three times a week. The beer garden is the draw. The cocktails are made with house-infused spirits.

Best night: Wednesday trivia (free entry).

3. The Happy Store — 25 Queen Crescent

Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-1am Vibe: Outdoor courtyard, heat lamps in winter Drinks: $10-12

Opened in 2025 and immediately became a regular spot for the under-35 crowd. The spirits selection includes hard-to-find local gins. The space is tighter than Wide Local — maybe 50 people before it feels packed — but that’s part of the appeal.

What makes it work is the attention to detail. The glassware is considered, the ice is proper, and the bartenders actually taste what they make before serving. The non-alcoholic cocktail list is genuinely creative, not an afterthought. If you hit capacity, put your name down and walk around the block — turnover is quick.

Drink this: Their signature sour ($10-12). Pro tip: The back corner booth is the best seat.

4. The Half Store — 333 Queen Crescent

Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-11pm Vibe: Pub grub elevated, beer garden out back Drinks: $10-12

The one for when you want food with your drinks. The kitchen runs until 9:30pm and the burgers are genuinely good, not bar-food-as-afterthought. The loaded fries are the move.

The drinks list complements the food — a cocktail list designed around the kitchen’s flavours. It’s the kind of place where you come for one beer and stay for dinner because you smell the kitchen.

Best combo: The burger with their house lager — simple and perfect. When to come: Any weeknight for a quick meal and drink without the weekend crowd.

5. The Long Commons — 56 Queen Crescent

Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Rooftop terrace with city views Drinks: $10-12

The vibe pick. Not the best drinks on this list, but the candlelit basement creates an atmosphere the others can’t match. It’s the place to bring someone you’re trying to impress, or to photograph, or both.

The drinks list is classic cocktails executed cleanly, no gimmicks. Food is limited to bar snacks and a single dessert option but you’re not here for the food.

Best for: First dates, anniversary drinks, or impressing out-of-town visitors.

Comparison

Practical Info

Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. Wide Local does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.

Getting there: Public transport options in Mulgrave. Don’t drive on Friday/Saturday nights — parking is scarce after 6pm.

Dress code: None of these are bottle-service-and-bouncers. Clean casual everywhere. The Long Commons skews slightly smarter but won’t turn away anyone in jeans.

Age check: All venues are 18+. Bring ID if you look under 25 — they will ask.

Nearby

• Melbourne CBD Pubs
• Mulgrave Restaurants — eat before or after
• Mulgrave Things to Do
• All Mulgrave Guides

Last updated: March 2026

Keep Exploring

More in this area:

• Best Bars in Mulgrave
• Nightlife Guide in Mulgrave

Useful tools:

• Melbourne Nightlife Guide
• Compare Melbourne Suburbs
• Explore Mulgrave