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    Howler

    4.0 (21 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)

    Howler Photos

    HOWLER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Loud
    Hipster
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - Howler

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    Reviews With Photos

    Hot spiced mead! Perfect winter drink
    Olivia B.

    A really fun little bar in Brunswick! It was perfect for a winter's night as they had all the heaters going and were serving hot mead, which by the way is delicious! I went there to see a comedy show in the back room and it looks like they have some great acts that come through there. Don't be turned off by the fact you have to go through a fairly dodgy looking carpark to get there, just look for the large zebra painted on the side of the building and you'll know you're in the right place! Prices of the drinks and food was pretty reasonable and the food was quite good! The night we went it was only burgers on the menu but they were excellent. They don't do alterations to the food which made it a bit of a struggle when asking for a burger without onion. Apparently even with an onion allergy they were reluctant to make a change to the burger.

    The bar
    Elise W.

    Not representative of Brunswick exactly but used to be fav of mine. So I wasn't sure for a second why I've not been here for a while until I got hit by the cigarette smoke. Having 4 walls and part cover makes it not a properly ventilated outdoor are for smoke sadly. The food (Asian Fusion) I eat here mainly consists of the snack sized Bao Pillows and dumplings ($12 for 2 or $8.50 for 7 dumplings) but there are a few other things (see pic). Sadly I was reminded how hit and miss the food can be here. It can and have been amazing in the past but sadly not today. The chicken Bao Pillow consisted of boiled flavourless chicken and not much else to give it flavour, the pork dumpling was much better but again lacks flavour but then the beef Bao Pillow was great. Perhaps it's a different chef on today. They also change the variety of the Bao pillows from time to time. As for why I don't think it's not quite Brunswick is because people get a lot more dressed up here compared to most other places (which are usually very hipster) especially on a hot day when short dresses seem mandatory along with very loud DJ music. It's nice that they have mist to cool you down as it gets very hot otherwise - the heaters sadly don't warm you up the same in winter. But it's very Melbourne in being "hidden" at the end of a car park opposite the baths. Oh another thing - it gets very dark once the sun goes down. You can barely see your food. Finally it's also a reasonably priced music venue.

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    5 months ago

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    13 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    Photo of Morg H.
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    10 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Great vibe and atmosphere, outdoor dining /lounge area is relaxed and social super busy though....

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    11 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    13 years ago

    Cool place, lunch with a beer. Dj in the background playing casual tunes, great fit out in an old warehouse...

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    8 years ago

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    Photo of Luke W.
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    8 years ago

    Inattentive bar staff, egomaniac bouncers. Not a good vibe! Lost what it means to be good service as a venue. Would not recommend going!

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    9 years ago

    Good drinks, great crowd and music. Loved the decor and vibe, definitely coming back for more.

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    Review Highlights - Howler

    It is located in an old warehouse, and it has the charm that you would expect from such a bar.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    The Brunswick Hotel

    The Brunswick Hotel

    4.0(7 reviews)
    0.3 km
    $

    Gotta love the brunny! Wednesday night's been a usual spot for me and my mates since we found out…read moreabout open mic night. Last semester a bunch of my international friends would muster up the courage after a few drinks to play but now I just go for the 10 dollar jugs & random acts. I don't come here enough seeing as it's literally only a block away but this will change once exams finish up. I'm super bummed I can't go tonight which is why I've decided to get the word out for any one who may be available. With the ram stop right outside theres no reason for anyone to pass up the opportunity to chill at the brunny. Go grab some cheap beer and head here for a comfy night lounging with live music ASAP! There are always random bands playing from around the area and it's always fun to hear new music. The best part though, yeah you didn't think it could get any better did you? Well, the best part is the beer garden. You know a place has got to be good when they've mastered the layout of each room to suit pretty much anyone and everyone.

    My two crazy russian friends had arrived home in Melbourne safely from the adventure around Europe…read moreand were having a 'welcome back' party here. I'd never been before but everyone seemed to think this was a good venue for cheap drinks and relaxed atmosphere. That is exactly the perception i got out of it. You cannot miss that crazy purple sign above the door and once you enter the dimly lit venue has not a lot going for it, but everyone inside is totally chilled giving the place a real laid-back feel. We arrived and they were sitting out back so i ordered a drink and headed out to the large beer garden. There's a large wooden communal table with small slum-couches scattered around. The venue is usually busy but never really feels 'packed out', such a great little place.

    Photos
    The Brunswick Hotel - The Brunswick Hotel

    The Brunswick Hotel

    The Brunswick Hotel
    The Brunswick Hotel

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    Laundry Bar - @ Laundry bar in Fitzroy where Hip-Hop is alive and kicking ass

    Laundry Bar

    2.9(12 reviews)
    3.3 kmFitzroy
    $$

    I give this place a 3.5 Star thanks YELP…read more Been there twice, first time was pretty cool. Some nice old school hip hop tracks which was a thumbs up from me. YAY world! Bar service was a bit slow and nobody smiled they all looked like they wanted to die. Bathroom was okay- had chunder all over the floor but thats standard. I also got elbowed in the eye by some asian chink- wasn't too impressed.. Standard. Anyways- I danced a bit on the table which was interesting. Uhm- The place has a smoking area... Thank the lord- thumbs up. Second time, was a friday night. Pretty empty around 11-12 but got busier later with weird people in suits. HOWEVER. The girl who was playing initially was pretty decent. Then it all changed when another chick come up with short shorts that went up her anus. Her music was TERRIBLE. Some poppy hip hop crap. Sucked balls. Thumbs down. A jug of beer is at a pretty good price though, it was only 18 bucks compared to the standard average of 26. YAY AGAIN! Fun place overall. Totally recommend it. It's really laxed and pretty trendy. There were a couple painters there that night doing some canvas work. COOL-

    Laundry bar is an awesome two level club that offers a variety of events inclusive of drum and…read morebase, dubstep and even host an awesome gay night (danceteria). The venue is usually jammin' and has a pretty good crowd. Went to 'Danceteria' recently and the venue wad busy, upstairs offering deep ghetto beats and downstairs a little more 80's and retro. They do random events like open mic hip-hop which usually consists of white guys stoned out of their minds rhyming words that somehow string together into coherent sentences (sometimes that is).

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    Laundry Bar - @ Laundry bar in Fitzroy where Hip-Hop is alive and kicking ass

    @ Laundry bar in Fitzroy where Hip-Hop is alive and kicking ass

    Laundry Bar - @ Laundry bar in Fitzroy where Hip-Hop is alive and kicking ass

    @ Laundry bar in Fitzroy where Hip-Hop is alive and kicking ass

    Laundry Bar - @ Laundry bar in Fitzroy where Hip-Hop is alive and kicking ass

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    @ Laundry bar in Fitzroy where Hip-Hop is alive and kicking ass

    The Night Cat

    The Night Cat

    4.0(19 reviews)
    3.4 kmFitzroy
    $$

    I normally tend to stay away from the kind of place where the average age is 18 and a half and they…read morescan your drivers license upon entry - you know just in case you knife someone inside the club or change out of the unfashionable collared shirt they probably require you to wear to gain entry. But I have to say the Night Cat is slightly different. The first and major big difference is that they have live bands playing on a circular stage, usually surrounded by enthusiastic dancers. And the bands they have playing are often pretty good. When there is no live music ,they tend to have a DJ playing some pretty cheesy music - but in my view, cheesy in a good way. They often can be found spinning some old school classics that you jump up on the dance floor to have a bit of a laugh, only to realise you are having a lot of fun. So if you are looking for a boogie and prepared to admit to yourself that having fun is way better than hanging with hipsters and jazz musicians then give the Night Cat a go. What's the worst that could happen (sans Interpol being notified of the details on your drivers license)?

    It's a fascinating venue and one that has escaped me for many years…read more Boy does this place fill up. Its pretty trashy and cheap with a basic selection of average drinks. But when the music and band kicks in, it doesn't really matter. Everyone is dancing. It's the opposite to most places where the odd few are dancing whilst the majority remain as stone human statues. There's good areas to sit and relax as well. very interesting place to sit watch and observe people too.

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    The Night Cat
    The Night Cat
    The Night Cat

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    The Old Bar

    The Old Bar

    4.2(11 reviews)
    3.3 kmFitzroy
    $$

    The Old Bar is just one of Venues in Melbourne that you know and at one point or another you are…read moregoing to end up there one night or a mate is going to invite you to see their band play there. Why is the Old Bar so damn popular? Because it's dingy, the staff are awesome and there is a feeling of being warped to simpler times when you are there. I have noticed that myself and others confuse The Old Bar and Bar Open, potentially because they are reasonably close to each other and have similar sounding names. Besides that, both have a chilled out atmosphere, graffiti art, toilet poetry and just all very reminiscent of a grunge bar in Seattle circa 1996. So much fun! Whether you are a North sider, a North West sider, Westie, Southerner, South Easter, a local or just visiting, you are bound to find some fresh jive at Old Bar.

    Old bar adheres to the 'play live music and people will come' mentality that somehow thrives in…read morethis town. There is absolutely no nonsense about the place - they show bands, they serve beer, that's it. Over the years the calibre of acts they put on here has fluctuated greatly. Nowadays it seems a fairly rock intensive, alt.country-type vibe about the joint and it really fits with the record-cover and band-poster decor of the place. You could spend a great deal of time, beer in hand, perusing the walls of this bar, just imagining the past bills they've put together - a veritable who's who of the local and touring rock scene. The best thing about Old Bar is the non-sceney nature of the surrounds and staff. Sure, it's a bit of a shithole, but the staff take pride in the fact that they're serving an important function in the community. Plus, the dude who owns the joint is in a kick-arse band of his own. This is a serious rock pub, in a serious rock city, and whatever else can be said about Old Bar is pretty much beside the point.

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    The Old Bar
    The Old Bar
    The Old Bar

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    The Brunswick Green

    The Brunswick Green

    3.9(17 reviews)
    0.2 km
    $$

    I could really make this place a regular hangout, if only I actually had the time to do so. Sure, I…read morecould come here after work everyday with my book and laptop and simply absorb the atmosphere, but sooner or later I'm going to have to go home. Anyway, this is one of those bars that I had regularly passed while travelling down Sydney Road but had never actually been inside, so one Sunday, when I knew I was going to be early for church, I decided to jump of the tram and pop in here for a quick beer. I must say that I am really glad that I did because I finally got to experience this really laid back bar is one awesome beer garden. It is this type of bar than really gives Sydney Road it's character, and I'm really going to have to make the effort to come down here more often.

    The relatively hidden pub is a real great find on the strip. Some friends and I came here after a…read moregig at Penny Black and i was surprised by how large the venue actually is. There's a small front entrance but it leads into an awkward cosy inside but very large outdoor area. We came and the place was pretty quiet, we knocked back a few pints and enjoyed the quirky 1920's B&W videos that showed crazy acrobatics, contortion and acting, it was mesmerising! We were a large group but the outdoor area accommodated us well and once the group began to dissipate we moved indoors and then finally (they kept hinting to us that they were closing) we left. Definitely a keeper!

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    The Brunswick Green
    The Brunswick Green - The Brunswick Green

    The Brunswick Green

    The Brunswick Green

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    Retreat Hotel

    Retreat Hotel

    3.7(18 reviews)
    0.2 km
    $$

    This is one of those pubs that I could literally spend ages at, but then again this is by far and…read moreaway my style of pub. Yep, it has a pretty big beer garden, and a pretty awesome one at that. It also has a great selection of beers on tap, but further it also has live music, and live music that you don't have to pay to hear as well, which is another thing that pretty much sets this place apart from many of the other live music venues in Melbourne. Honestly, I love this place, and in fact I want to stop writing this now and go and pay it a visit again, except that it happens to be the middle of the week, so unfortunately that isn't going to happen.

    A dining area takes up the centre and back of the building, complete with good kitchen of good food…read more- full-fledged meals to the snack variety nachos, bowl of veggies, chips etc. - and band area. Music can be found four nights a week, usually softer acts starting during actual dinner time and the night and the sounds getting underway as the kitchen closes. For those wanting to avoid the band, lounge area is to the front of the venue, with couches and booth style areas, along with tables taking up the street frontage. The outside holds a wicked beer garden, complete with patch of real fake grass in the centre. The beer is good; one bar serves all three areas so the crowds can get in the way for those waiting in line. And as for lines, Saturday nights usually have a line out the front of the building, stretching down the tram stop on the corner. Monday nights with Mexican specials!

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    Retreat Hotel
    Retreat Hotel
    Retreat Hotel

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    Mango Lounge Bar

    Mango Lounge Bar

    5.0(2 reviews)
    3.3 km
    $$

    I didn't want to review this club, because I didn't want to share the best kept secret in…read moreMelbourne. But I will because it's just too awesome. It's hip, urban underground and smooth. Classy yet it doesn't even appear they are trying. Open from Wednesday through Sunday, each night the Mango Bar comes alive with different sounds and genres of music. They've certainly got their pulse on the hottest up and coming local acts, as well as playing host to a range of renowned international DJ's. Each night there's something diff; electro funk, deep house, jazz and blues - there's something for everyone at Mango. The drinks menu deserves a rave as well. Spirits, beer and wine, as well as a sensational selection of martini's, cocktails and the signature Mango Daiquiri. It's like an oasis away from home. Somewhere you feel totally comfortable, totally chilled out and completed entertained by the music and live acts. There. The secrets out. Now go and enjoy!

    Another Hall st gem!…read more Great selection of drinks, from $5 Friday happy hour, to cocktails & top shelf whisky's Mango is the perfect amount of chilled tunes & chatty crowd, with a small dance floor to carve up listening to resident & guest DJ's later in the night if the mood so grabs you, or enjoy the outdoor seating & perhaps throw in a game of jenga. BYO food (pretzels / crisps / nuts onsite for sale), and drop in for a quiet one, or settle in for an awesome night with the staff, old friends & new! PS- word is the espresso martini is the bomb (I don't drink coffee myself. Yes, we do exist)

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    Mango Lounge Bar
    Mango Lounge Bar
    Mango Lounge Bar

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    Howler - bars - Updated May 2026

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