Ten years old this year, makes the Gin Palace a venerable old man among Melbourne's hip young cocktail bars. It has lost none of its greatness though. Well trained bartenders, a bookshelf of cocktail books, hundreds of bottles (including dozens of types of gin) means that if you want to stray from the ten martinis printed on their cocktail list, you can have just about anything. Also, the chairs are stuffed with goose feathers, the music is never too loud and it is open every day of the year (including Christmas). I don't live in Melbourne any more but if I did, I'd be there right now.

Russell Place, Melbourne

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Named after a notorious Victorian brothel keeper, Madame Brussels has a deliciously kooky garden party theme, complete with grassed interior, trellising and parasols.

Bright young things in tennis whites will bring you iced Pimms and cucumber sandwiches. Scrumptious in every way.

Level 3, 59-63 Bourke Street, Melbourne
www.madamebrussels.com
+61 (0)3 9662 2775

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A pub with a view, a great view across Melbourne's bay. A pub with decent food in the bistro, a TAB, a lounge bar and accommodation all within 15km of the CBD.

A pretty good local pub with one of the best outlooks in Melbourne.

Cnr Beach & Bay Road, Sandringham,
just around the corner from Sandringham station
Telephone: 9598 7255

www.sandringhamhotel.com.au/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Recently renovated inside, the Flinders Pub has moved to improve its eating areas with a formal dining room in addition to the bistro.

The pub is a favourite of motorcycle riders (it's a great place to start or end a ride) who frequent the bistro but the dining room is a nice place for those wanting something more formal... nice thick linen and quality tableware. It's a nice place to eat for those who have been tramping the wineries in the area or having a hit at Flinders Golf Club.

Cook St
Flinders
Mornington Peninsula
about an hour from central Melbourne
ph 59890201

www.flindershotel com.au

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A local hotel with plenty of different beers, decent service and an interesting food menu.

157 Moray Street, South Melbourne Tel. 9690 4511

www.melbournepubs.com/v/59/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The Boundary is a pub with a history,
although today it fronts as a pub with decent food, kid-friendly even for those with ankle biters or rugrats who want a meal out and, of course, it has the obligatory pokies and TAB. Oh, and a decent wine list in the dining room.

The history bit? The Boundary pub gets its name from being on East Boundary Rd which gets its name from being the former east boundary of a large farming estate (back in the 1880s through to the 1920s)

Take the kids (leave them in the playroom) and have a meal or play the pokies.

cnr East Boundary Rd and Centre Rd
East Bentleigh
Vic 3165
ph 9570 7044
free on site parking

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The best place to meet before and after a test match or one-day international. An institution with the die hard fans of any sport played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG or "the G").

Punt Road, Richmond, next to the Richmond train station and the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Where to start?  Melbourne is a great town. Go to the Victoria market in the centre of town, or the smaller and groovier South Melbourne Markets at the weekend. Take a surfing lesson in Torquay after a trip along the Great Ocean Road, or a breathtaking dawn hot air balloon ride over the Yarra Valley wineries. Inner city Melbourne has some excellent bars down its lane ways: check out Honky Tonks for great cocktails or the Hi-Fi bar for grungier action. Brunswick Street Fitzroy is a haven for great food and drink and funky clothes.  

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Lovely area of beaches, quaint towns and in particular, wineries. Most serve excellent lunches and generally you can walk round the vines in a beautiful landscape.

About 1 hours drive south of the city centre.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The Espy (aka Esplanade Hotel) is a St Kilda institution. Great location, looking out over the bay and back to Melbourne city centre. Mostly known as a live music venue, but as well as the band rooms, there's a public bar, pool tables, good food availble and the best atmosphere of any Melbourne pub.

11 The Esplanade, St. Kilda

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Pure South serves great food, all organic and sourced from Tasmania (hence the name). Chef Neale White creates original and delicious combinations and together with excellent Tasmanian wines, this is a great evening out.

Opposite Flinders St station, Southbank, Melbourne CBD

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends