Taylors Lakes’s pubs scene is working-class, authentic, community-focused — 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. Tall Store — 22 Elizabeth Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-1am Vibe: Moody, dim-lit, excellent playlist Drinks: $10-12
The pub the suburb rallies around. Tall Store 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 upstairs level is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.
Drink this: A glass of the house red ($10-12). When to go: Any weeknight for a quiet drink.
2. Ava Local — 126 Elizabeth Street
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-late Vibe: Corner pub, proper carpets
The quiet achiever. Ava Local doesn’t have a PR budget or an Instagram strategy — it has regulars who come three times a week. The front bar is the draw. Their natural wine selection is surprisingly deep.
Best night: Friday DJs from 9pm.
3. Old Pantry — 1 Flinders Lane
Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-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 tap list leans towards Victorian craft breweries. The space is tighter than Tall Store — 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 house negroni uses a local amaro. If you hit capacity, put your name down and walk around the block — turnover is quick.
Drink this: A glass of the pet-nat ($10-12). Pro tip: Arrive before 7pm on Friday to avoid the wait.
4. Finn’s — 45 Lygon Grove
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Sports screens plus decent food — the rare combo 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 steak sandwich is the sleeper hit.
The drinks list complements the food — local pale ales and lagers that pair with the menu. 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. Theo’s — 262 Lygon Grove
Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-late Vibe: Candlelit basement, moody and intimate 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 short but curated — they do six cocktails and all of them are solid. Food is limited to a small snack menu — olives, cheese, bread but you’re not here for the food.
Best for: Sunset drinks on warmer evenings — arrive by 6pm for the golden hour.
Comparison
| Venue | Best For | Drink Price | Kitchen | Live Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tall Store | Overall best | $10-12 | Yes | Weekends |
| Ava Local | Quiet drink | $10-12 | Yes | No |
| Old Pantry | New & trendy | $10-12 | Snacks only | No |
| Finn’s | Food + drinks | $10-12 | Full menu | No |
| Theo’s | Atmosphere | $10-12 | Limited | DJs Sat |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. Tall Store does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.
Getting there: Public transport options in Taylors Lakes. 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. Theo’s 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
- Taylors Lakes Restaurants — eat before or after
- Taylors Lakes Things to Do
- All Taylors Lakes Guides
Last updated: March 2026
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