Best Pubs in North Melbourne — 2026 Guide

North Melbourne’s pubs scene is vibrant, mixed, cosmopolitan — 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 $12-14, cocktail $19-25. Happy hour (usually 5-7pm) knocks $3-5 off at most places.

Our Top Picks

1. Mia’s — 293 Anderson Road

Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-11pm Vibe: Moody, dim-lit, excellent playlist Drinks: $12-14

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

Drink this: A glass of the house red ($12-14). When to go: Tuesday for trivia and half-price pots.

2. Lena’s — 283 Clarendon Street

Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-late Vibe: Hidden behind an unmarked door

The quiet achiever. Lena’s doesn’t have a PR budget or an Instagram strategy — it has regulars who come three times a week. The wine list is the draw. The parma is legitimately one of the best in the area.

Best night: Sunday sessions with live jazz.

3. Old Store — 271 Anderson Road

Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-late Vibe: Cozy wine den, candlelit Drinks: $12-14

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 Mia’s — 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 tap list rotates every two weeks with a Victorian-only policy. If you hit capacity, put your name down and walk around the block — turnover is quick.

Drink this: A glass of the pet-nat ($12-14). Pro tip: The back corner booth is the best seat.

4. The Blue Table — 253 North Drive

Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Neighbourhood corner pub, proper and unpretentious Drinks: $12-14

The one for when you want food with your drinks. The kitchen runs until 10pm and the burgers are genuinely good, not bar-food-as-afterthought. The steak sandwich is the sleeper hit.

The drinks list complements the food — an approachable wine list that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s the kind of place where you come for one beer and stay for dinner because you smell the kitchen.

Best combo: Share plates for two plus a bottle of wine, under $90. When to come: Thursday for the midweek special.

5. Rosa Quarter — 270 Murray Street

Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-late Vibe: Hidden garden bar behind a bookshelf door Drinks: $12-14

The vibe pick. Not the best drinks on this list, but the laneway entrance 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 designed around the aesthetic — photogenic serves that actually taste good. Food is limited to a small snack menu — olives, cheese, bread 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. Mia’s does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.

Getting there: Public transport options in North Melbourne. 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. Rosa Quarter 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

• Fitzroy Pubs
• North Melbourne Restaurants — eat before or after
• North Melbourne Things to Do
• All North Melbourne Guides

Last updated: March 2026

Keep Exploring

More in this area:

• Best Bars in North Melbourne
• Nightlife Guide in North Melbourne

Useful tools:

• Melbourne Nightlife Guide
• Melbourne Coffee Price Tracker
• Explore North Melbourne