Nightlife in Port Melbourne (2026)
Port Melbourne is a serious nightlife contender with enough range to cover every mood from craft cocktails to sticky-carpet pubs. 36 bars and pubs mapped and verified. 20 have Google ratings, averaging 4.5/5.
Top Rated Bars in Port Melbourne
| Rank | Venue | Google Rating | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shelanous | ★ 5/5 | 1,121 |
| 2 | Yarra Falls | ★ 4.9/5 | 294 |
| 3 | One or Two | ★ 4.8/5 | 337 |
| 4 | Frontside Events | ★ 4.8/5 | 112 |
| 5 | The Drunken Poet | ★ 4.7/5 | 1,230 |
| 6 | The Tipsy Cow - Cocktail Tapas Bar & Beer Garden | ★ 4.7/5 | 370 |
| 7 | Starward Distillery & Bar | ★ 4.7/5 | 332 |
| 8 | State of Grace | ★ 4.6/5 | 3,063 |
Your Night Out in Port Melbourne
Early Evening (5pm–8pm)
The after-work crowd. These venues are best when the sun is still up and you can get a seat without elbowing through a crowd:
- Shelanous — 154 Rouse St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia (★ 5)
- Yarra Falls — 381 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia (★ 4.9)
- One or Two — 18 Celestial Ave, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia (★ 4.8)
Prime Time (8pm–12am)
The main event. Port Melbourne fills up fast on Fridays and Saturdays — arrive early or accept you are standing.
All Bars and Pubs in Port Melbourne
#1 Shelanous — 154 Rouse St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia
the food | ★ 5/5 (1,121 reviews)
What makes it great: The queue outside Shelanous tells you everything before you walk in. What works here works because the kitchen has stopped trying to be clever and started trying to be consistent. This is not destination dining. This is your neighbourhood doing what it should.
1,121 people have reviewed Shelanous on Google. The average sits at 5. Earned, not gamed.
What locals say: “Believe the hype. This is probably the best dinner experience I have had. From beginning to end the fun and spectacle did not stop. The food was delicious and the alcohol pairings…”
Website: Shelanous | Google Maps
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
#2 Yarra Falls — 381 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
the food | ★ 4.9/5 (294 reviews)
What makes it great: Yarra Falls earns its crowd the honest way — through the food. The menu reads simply. The food arrives with more thought than the menu suggests. That gap is the mark of a kitchen that cares more about the plate than the description. The test of a restaurant is whether you think about it the next day. Yarra Falls passes.
Rated 4.9 by 294 locals on Google — and the ones who come back do not bother leaving reviews.
What locals say: “I almost don’t want to share this because it feels like such a secret, but Yarra Falls is honestly a hidden gem. It’s small, cosy and intimate, with most of the chairs lined up alo…”
Website: Yarra Falls | Google Maps
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
#3 One or Two — 18 Celestial Ave, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
the food | ★ 4.8/5 (337 reviews)
What makes it great: The queue outside One or Two tells you everything before you walk in. What works here works because the kitchen has stopped trying to be clever and started trying to be consistent. The menu changes. The quality does not.
337 people have reviewed One or Two on Google. The average sits at 4.8. Earned, not gamed.
What locals say: “We’ve been there on Sat night and had a good experience for both drinks and service! The cocktail I ordered is London Calling, tasted smooth and full of flavor. Bartender was also…”
Website: One or Two | Google Maps
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
#4 Frontside Events — 1A Fennell St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia
the food | ★ 4.8/5 (112 reviews)
What makes it great: Frontside Events is the place Port Melbourne locals take visitors when they want to show off the neighbourhood. The menu reads simply. The food arrives with more thought than the menu suggests. That gap is the mark of a kitchen that cares more about the plate than the description. It does not try to be everything. It tries to be good at one thing. It succeeds.
A 4.8 rating from 112 reviews does not happen by accident in Port Melbourne.
What locals say: “My fiancé and I celebrated our engagement party at frontside, and we could not recommend more! Damion was open to all our wishes and extremely helpful and chill throughout the prep…”
Website: Frontside Events | Google Maps
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
#5 The Drunken Poet — 65 Peel St, West Melbourne VIC 3003, Australia
the food | ★ 4.7/5 (1,230 reviews) | $
What makes it great: Irish music, poetry and Guinness, plus trivia, in a snug pub hung with portraits of famous authors. A restaurant that respects the ingredients, respects your time, and respects your wallet.
1,230 people have reviewed The Drunken Poet on Google. The average sits at 4.7. Earned, not gamed.
What locals say: “Warm and pleasent welcome when we arrived followed by a quick pour of that long awaited guinness. They say guinness doesn’t travel well and I would say thats true based on this pou…”
Prices here are honest — you eat well and the bill does not punish you for it.
Website: The Drunken Poet | Google Maps
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
#6 The Tipsy Cow - Cocktail Tapas Bar & Beer Garden — 359 Bay St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia
the food | ★ 4.7/5 (370 reviews) | $$
What makes it great: The kitchen at The Tipsy Cow - Cocktail Tapas Bar & Beer Garden runs on precision and repetition — the same dish, perfect, every time. The menu reads simply. The food arrives with more thought than the menu suggests. That gap is the mark of a kitchen that cares more about the plate than the description. The menu changes. The quality does not.
370 people have reviewed The Tipsy Cow - Cocktail Tapas Bar & Beer Garden on Google. The average sits at 4.7. Earned, not gamed.
What locals say: “Excellent place! Friendly service. Comfortable casual surroundings. Cocktail hour was a treat with cheaper drinks. They had a wide variety of cocktails and mocktails as well as bee…”
Mid-range pricing that reflects fair value for what comes out of the kitchen.
Website: The Tipsy Cow - Cocktail Tapas Bar & Beer Garden | Google Maps
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
#7 Starward Distillery & Bar — 50 Bertie St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia
the food | ★ 4.7/5 (332 reviews)
What makes it great: Starward Distillery & Bar earns its crowd the honest way — through the food. What works here works because the kitchen has stopped trying to be clever and started trying to be consistent. If this place were in Fitzroy, there would be a queue. In Port Melbourne, you can still walk in.
Rated 4.7 by 332 locals on Google — and the ones who come back do not bother leaving reviews.
What locals say: “I took my husband here for the distillery tour as Starward is his favourite! We both thoroughly enjoyed the tour and tasting and stayed for a couple of Cocktails afterwards. Lovely…”
Website: Starward Distillery & Bar | Google Maps
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
#8 State of Grace — 27 King St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
the food | ★ 4.6/5 (3,063 reviews) | $$$
What makes it great: Restaurant and cellar bar with kitsch decor including a mounted giraffe, for Modern European food. Not the flashiest option in Port Melbourne. Possibly the best.
A 4.6 rating from 3,063 reviews does not happen by accident in Port Melbourne.
What locals say: "@stateofgracemelbourne 📍 Every Saturday for $80 per person you can enjoy a delicious Bottomless Brunch and Unlimited cocktails and drinks for a 2 hour sitting (either 12-2 or 3-5)!"
Not cheap, but the quality justifies the spend. This is a deliberate night out.
Website: State of Grace | Google Maps
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
#9 Railway Club Hotel
the food | ★ 4.6/5 (2,516 reviews) | $$
What makes it great: À la carte dining showcasing grass-fed beef, in a casual pub setting with polished wood decor. This is not destination dining. This is your neighbourhood doing what it should.
The 4.6/5 Google rating (2,516 reviews) reflects what regulars already know.
What locals say: *“The Railway Club Hotel
The lazy afternoon in Melbourne you didn’t realise you needed…!
So after hearing about how wonderful the steaks are at The Railway Club Hotel, I decided to…”*
Mid-range pricing that reflects fair value for what comes out of the kitchen.
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
#10 The Palace Hotel (Port Melbourne) — 505-507 City Rd, South Melbourne VIC 3205, Australia
the food | ★ 4.6/5 (801 reviews) | $$
What makes it great: Unpretentious bare-brick pub with a beer garden and keg stools, for craft ales and pub food. The test of a restaurant is whether you think about it the next day. The Palace Hotel (Port Melbourne) passes.
801 people have reviewed The Palace Hotel (Port Melbourne) on Google. The average sits at 4.6. Earned, not gamed.
What locals say: “The Palace Hotel is a must-visit if you’re craving some of the best fish and chips in Melbourne, crispy, fresh, and perfectly cooked. Pair it with their great selection of beers an…”
Mid-range pricing that reflects fair value for what comes out of the kitchen.
Website: The Palace Hotel (Port Melbourne) | Google Maps
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
#11 The Graham Hotel — 97 Graham St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia
the food | ★ 4.6/5 (671 reviews) | $$
What makes it great: Perennial, stylish gastropub with a front bar serving classic local dishes, beer & wine. The kind of place you recommend without being asked.
Rated 4.6 by 671 locals on Google — and the ones who come back do not bother leaving reviews.
What locals say: “Lovely, relaxed location for sitting outside on a warm summer eve and a smart, friendly restaurant inside, with the bar area being more informal. Very professional service in all a…”
Mid-range pricing that reflects fair value for what comes out of the kitchen.
Website: The Graham Hotel | Google Maps
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
#12 Black Kite Commune — 30 Russell Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
the food | ★ 4.6/5 (197 reviews)
What makes it great: If Port Melbourne had a signature restaurant, Black Kite Commune would be on the shortlist. The menu reads simply. The food arrives with more thought than the menu suggests. That gap is the mark of a kitchen that cares more about the plate than the description. There is a reason the regulars do not talk about it much. They do not want the wait.
A 4.6 rating from 197 reviews does not happen by accident in Port Melbourne.
What locals say: *“This place is a 10/10, a must go.
The all Aussie concept is awesome & the decor & vibes are so cool. We sat at the bar for hours & the bartender was amazing! He happily had a chat…”*
Website: Black Kite Commune | Google Maps
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
#13 Hopscotch Melbourne — Ground Floor/4 Riverside Quay, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia
the food | ★ 4.4/5 (3,279 reviews) | $$
What makes it great: Buzzing riverside brewpub offering creative bar fare, burgers & a nitro ice-cream bar. This is not destination dining. This is your neighbourhood doing what it should.
The 4.4/5 Google rating (3,279 reviews) reflects what regulars already know.
What locals say: “The place is cool, but there’s no service at all, other than the food/drinks runner that deliver your QR code order to your table. Ordered chips with guacamole (along with other fo…”
Mid-range pricing that reflects fair value for what comes out of the kitchen.
Website: Hopscotch Melbourne | Google Maps
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
#14 The Cricketers Port Melbourne — 69 Cruikshank St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia
the food | ★ 4.4/5 (502 reviews) | $$
What makes it great: Elevated comfort food in a stylish, vibrant restaurant that has a spacious outdoor courtyard & bars. If this place were in Fitzroy, there would be a queue. In Port Melbourne, you can still walk in.
502 people have reviewed The Cricketers Port Melbourne on Google. The average sits at 4.4. Earned, not gamed.
What locals say: “If you can’t accommodate more people due to having private birthday I suggest keep the restaurant closed for the day. Couldn’t even get more drinks or water due to staff been busy…”
Mid-range pricing that reflects fair value for what comes out of the kitchen.
Website: The Cricketers Port Melbourne | Google Maps
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
#15 Pier Port Melbourne — 1 Bay St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia
the food | ★ 4.3/5 (871 reviews) | $$
What makes it great: Creative bistro dishes and wood-fired pizzas served in a glossy bar/restaurant with outdoor seating. You will not Instagram it. You will remember it.
Rated 4.3 by 871 locals on Google — and the ones who come back do not bother leaving reviews.
What locals say: “Great fun happening vibe ! Beautiful attentive hard working waitress. Delicious quality menu options. We loved the Wagu spaghetti, Wagu burgers and generous lobster rolls 😋 delicio…”
Mid-range pricing that reflects fair value for what comes out of the kitchen.
Website: Pier Port Melbourne | Google Maps
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
#16 The Cornerstone — 1 Crockford Street
the food | ★ 4.3/5 (637 reviews) | $$
What makes it great: Every suburb has one restaurant that defines it. In Port Melbourne, the argument starts with The Cornerstone. The menu reads simply. The food arrives with more thought than the menu suggests. That gap is the mark of a kitchen that cares more about the plate than the description. Worth crossing Port Melbourne for. Worth crossing Melbourne for, honestly.
The 4.3/5 Google rating (637 reviews) reflects what regulars already know.
What locals say: *“Had a great experience at The Cornerstone Pub. The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, perfect for a casual meal.
We tried the Vegetable Burger, Mexican-style Chicken Parma, and…”*
Mid-range pricing that reflects fair value for what comes out of the kitchen.
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
#17 The Exchange Hotel — 39 Bay St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia
the food | ★ 4.2/5 (1,116 reviews) | $$
What makes it great: Stylish pub and bistro with a fireplace, leather sofas and a relaxed vibe, plus DJs on weekends. The Exchange Hotel does not need a rebrand or a renovation. It needs you to sit down and order.
Rated 4.2 by 1,116 locals on Google — and the ones who come back do not bother leaving reviews.
What locals say: “Had the best time celebrating a 60th birthday in the upstairs function space! Highly recommend it for special functions. Private bar, toilets & small outdoor area. Amazing food!! S…”
Mid-range pricing that reflects fair value for what comes out of the kitchen.
Website: The Exchange Hotel | Google Maps
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
#18 The Albion Rooftop — 172 York St, South Melbourne VIC 3205, Australia
the food | ★ 4.1/5 (1,132 reviews) | $$
What makes it great: Chic eatery with regular live music presenting elevated Asian provisions, unique cocktails & wine. This is not destination dining. This is your neighbourhood doing what it should.
The 4.1/5 Google rating (1,132 reviews) reflects what regulars already know.
What locals say: “Went on Friday night. The salsa and bachata classes are fun. Roof top atmosphere is great. Will come again and try a meal next time.”
Mid-range pricing that reflects fair value for what comes out of the kitchen.
Website: The Albion Rooftop | Google Maps
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
More Venues in Port Melbourne
| Venue | Address | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HER | 270 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia | ★ 4 |
| Sol & Luna | S7 Rooftop, 300 Plummer St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia | ★ 4 |
| CBCo Brewing | 89 Bertie Street, Port Melbourne | — |
| Westside Ale Works | 36 Alfred Street | — |
| Rex Hotel | 145 Bay Street | — |
| The Clare Castle | 356 Graham Street, Port Melbourne | — |
| Tap 831 | 831 Bourke Street, Docklands | — |
| North Port Hotel | 146 Evans Street, Port Melbourne | — |
| Hibernian Hotel | 358 Graham Street | — |
| Bleak House Hotel | 97 Beaconsfield Parade | — |
| Graham Hotel | 97 Graham Street | — |
| The Local Port Melbourne | 22-24 Bay Street | — |
| Tessie Pearl Hotel | — | — |
| The Exchange | — | — |
| Cricketer’s Arms | — | — |
| Bay & Bridge Hotel | — | — |
| Prince Alfred Hotel | — | — |
| Swallows Hotel | — | — |
Nightlife Tips for Port Melbourne
- Thursday is the new Friday — Port Melbourne bars are busy but not rammed on Thursday nights. Better service, easier parking
- Cash is dead — almost every bar in Melbourne takes card. Some are card-only
- Last drinks — bars will call last drinks 30 minutes before closing. Do not be the person arguing with the bouncer
- Eat first — Port Melbourne has 70 restaurants. Line your stomach before you start drinking
- Rideshare pickup — set your pickup point before your last drink. Surge pricing hits hardest between 1am and 2am
- Pub crawl route — start furthest from home and work your way back. Geography is your friend after midnight
Getting Home from Port Melbourne
- Rideshare: Uber and DiDi operate across Melbourne. Budget $15–$40 depending on distance
- Night Bus: Check PTV for NightRider services
- Train: Last trains typically depart between 11:30pm–12:30am (check PTV)
- Tram: Some routes run until 1am on weekends
Related Guides
- Best Restaurants in Port Melbourne
- Best Cafes in Port Melbourne
- Best Bars in Port Melbourne
- Cost of Living in Port Melbourne
- Port Melbourne Neighbourhood Guide
- Family Guide to Port Melbourne
- Is Port Melbourne Safe?
- Port Melbourne Transport Guide
Last updated: March 2026. This guide is refreshed when OpenStreetMap data changes — new openings, closures and corrections are reflected automatically. Found something wrong? Let us know.
Sources
- OpenStreetMap Contributors — openstreetmap.org — accessed March 2026
- ABS Census 2021 — abs.gov.au/census
- REIV Quarterly Median Prices — reiv.com.au
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