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John Curtin Hotel

3.8 (13 reviews)
Closed • 12:00 am - 1:00 AM

John Curtin Hotel Photos

JOHN CURTIN HOTEL ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Live music
Good for groups
Outdoor seating

Recommended Reviews - John Curtin Hotel

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Reviews With Photos

David S.

It is a shame that the couple of times that I have been here I've had a bad experience (including some arguing while I was trying to read my book outside), because this is a pub that I should really like - it is basically one of those grungy university pubs that seems to attract the university crowd. Okay, the first time I landed up here was with a group of people that I really had little in common with, and the second time I found myself having to listen to an argument for about fifteen minutes, but now that I have left it simmer for a while, and look back on it I can now honestly say that I do like this pub. As I mentioned it is a pretty grungy pub, and plays some pretty grungy music, and is probably one of those places I should try to check out another time, however I'm going to have to time that visit.

sam m.

Right next door to where I studied a couple of years back, the John Curtin was my little hidey hole away from all the bozos at school. This place is kind of a tradie type pub and sits opposite the union buildings (Trades Hall) on Lygon Street. It's open for, and does, killer tradie lunches at stupidly low prices -- no 'gastro' label here. There are a few tables on the street to enjoy the sunshine, or you can enter the cave-like bar area to escape the cold winter southerly. They play rockin' tunes here and there is a massive band room upstairs. At this point the room is a little under utilised, but I've been to a few shows here and when it fills up, it can sound pretty good. The staff here are easy going and it's the perfect place for a cheap beer and a bit of a relax after work/school or before a night out. They don't deal in wankery here, so the clientele are usually pretty well behaved if a little eclectic. This is one of the best secret little inner city pubs, and I hope it stays as is.

Hope M.

Although it's on busy Lygon Street right near the corner of Victoria Parade, the John Curtin is unassuming and easy to walk straight by without noticing it. Being so close to RMIT it's a student hang out, but not to the exclusion of all others thanks to being so close to the Trades Hall and other businesses on the fringe of the city. There are a few tables out the front that are a favourite spot of mine to have a quick drink post-work, or to spend some time on a sunny afternoon with a newspaper. The great thing about the John Curtin is that no one will take a second glance at you if you're enjoying a beer alone - it's a haven for wanna be alcoholics! Being a student hangout there's always a bigger than expected crowd on weeknights, and if it's warm the street can be overflowing with people. The food is nothing fancy but it's so cheap it doesn't matter - a great spot for a pub meal if you're on a budget.

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Caretaker's Cottage

Caretaker's Cottage

4.0(5 reviews)
0.4 km•Melbourne

Absolutely disappointing experience and appalling customer service. The vibe looked good and we…read moredecided to take a chance. We entered at 11pm and decided to get a bottle of sparkling. No one informed us about any policy. We paid for the bottle with 5% service charge which I do not think they deserved. We had a sudden work call at 11.30pm and grabbed the bottle to go, only for the staff to chase us to the front of the bar to inform us that they do not have a takeaway license. For christ sake, we already had bought the bottle!! Though it's alright, we respect policy. They highlighted that they needed to keep the bottle in the establishment. We asked if we could come back and finish it. They said they would keep our bottle. We rushed back to our hotel (Marriott- 200m away for the call). When we returned at 11.58pm, they had already thrown our bottle away. Unbelievable! They were quick to receive our money but equally quick to throw our experience out the window. No doubt, we returned almost at closing times but throwing our wine before closing time - if you wanna go by the book, that is still not your closing time. When we raised our grievances to the staff, she said she told us about closing time at 12 midnight. However, we emphasised that she should have let us know about the takeaway policy and license. Had we known, we would not have ordered a bottle. She looked at us blankly and simply replied "feedback received, but we do not allow anyone in after 12, so you have to leave". Quite honestly, ChatGPT / Claude / Grok could have conveyed more empathy. I am not a VIP customer nor am I a high spender. That being said, I value places with a human connection and empathy, and would regularly visit such places with joy and happiness multiple times. This place is not one of them. For this reason, I will never visit again. If you think likewise, and value authenticity and a true Aussie welcome, you would not visit this place. I hate to give negative reviews but please spend your money elsewhere.

I would come back to Melbourne just to come here again- good drinks, cool atmosphere…read more . The staff was so nice. Definitely worth the overwhelming hype this place gets .

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Caretaker's Cottage
Caretaker's Cottage
Caretaker's Cottage - Found you!

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Found you!

State of Grace

State of Grace

4.9(8 reviews)
1.7 km•Melbourne

State of Grace was one of the highlights of our Melbourne trip -- an incredible dining experience…read morefrom start to finish. The atmosphere is vibrant, stylish, and full of character. From the moment you walk in, there's a buzz that makes the place feel alive without being overwhelming. It strikes a great balance between upscale and relaxed, making it perfect for a date night or a fun evening out. The warm lighting and eclectic design add to the charm and make you want to linger. Service was friendly, attentive, and well-paced throughout the night. The staff were knowledgeable about the menu, checked in on us at the right moments, and made the whole experience feel effortless and welcoming. Every dish we ordered was excellent -- not a single miss. We started with the Cauliflower & Mozzarella Croquettes, which were crispy on the outside and perfectly creamy inside. The Grilled King Prawns were flavorful and cooked just right, while the Kingfish Ceviche was fresh, bright, and beautifully balanced. The Stracciatella & Heirloom Tomatoes was simple yet outstanding, letting the quality of the ingredients shine. For mains, the Duck Breast was cooked perfectly and full of rich flavor, and the Lamb Backstrap was tender and well-seasoned. The Pecorino & Ricotta Ravioli was comforting and delicate, while the Seafood Linguine stood out with generous portions of seafood and a beautifully balanced sauce. The Honey Glaze Carrots were the perfect side -- sweet, savory, and executed flawlessly. Overall, State of Grace delivers on every level -- ambience, service, and food. An exceptional spot that lives up to the hype, and one we'd absolutely return to on our next visit to Melbourne.

Food was delicious and perfect potions. The music was way…read moretoo loud which ruins the experience. Service is great

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State of Grace
State of Grace
State of Grace

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John Curtin Hotel - bars - Updated July 2026

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