Best Pubs in Port Melbourne — 2026 Guide

Port Melbourne’s pubs scene is established, leafy, well-maintained — 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 $13-15, cocktail $22-28. Happy hour (usually 5-7pm) knocks $3-5 off at most places.

Our Top Picks

1. Good Table — 99 Blake Road

Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Rooftop terrace, sunset views Drinks: $13-15

The pub the suburb rallies around. Good Table 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 back room is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.

Drink this: A glass of the house red ($13-15). When to go: Any weeknight for a quiet drink.

2. Half Press — 306 Bridge Road

Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-12am Vibe: Open-air, fairy lights, garden seats

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

Best night: Sunday sessions with live jazz.

3. Nina’s — 12 East Crescent

Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Big, loud, dancing on weekends Drinks: $13-15

Opened in 2025 and immediately became a regular spot for the under-35 crowd. The tap list leans towards Victorian craft breweries. The space is tighter than Good Table — 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: The house old fashioned ($13-15). Pro tip: Ask for the off-menu cocktail — they’ll make something custom.

4. Max Social — 196 Blake Road

Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-late Vibe: Sports screens plus decent food — the rare combo Drinks: $13-15

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 — 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: Share plates for two plus a bottle of wine, under $90. When to come: Saturday from 5pm — it fills up by 7pm.

5. Place — 296 Blake Road

Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Laneway entrance, exposed brick, jazz on the stereo Drinks: $13-15

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 classic cocktails executed cleanly, no gimmicks. Food is limited to charcuterie and cheese boards only but you’re not here for the food.

Best for: Sunset drinks on warmer evenings — arrive by 6pm for the golden hour.

Comparison

Practical Info

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

Getting there: Public transport options in Port 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. Place 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

• South Yarra Pubs
• Port Melbourne Restaurants — eat before or after
• Port Melbourne Things to Do
• All Port Melbourne Guides

Last updated: March 2026

Keep Exploring

More in this area:

• Best Bars in Port Melbourne
• Nightlife Guide in Port Melbourne

Useful tools:

• Melbourne Nightlife Guide
• Melbourne Rent Comparison Tool
• Explore Port Melbourne