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.

I would say that this is an atypical Brunswick bar, but it is probably better to describe it as an…read moreatypical inner Melbourne bar. It is located in an old warehouse, and it has the charm that you would expect from such a bar. The service was pretty good and the atmosphere was pretty awesome as well. In fact, this place had pretty much everything that I would expect from a bar, including a great selection of beers. Oh, and being located near the railway station really helped as well.

Don't exactly trust the address... it's in a weird location, at the back of a dark car park. Look…read morefor the painted Zebra lit up with a street light. Next to it is the doorway, flanked by friendly bouncers ready to welcome you to this interesting new space! Is it a warehouse party? An art installation? A beer garden? A cocktail bar? A "asian-ish" tapas house? A music venue? Is it a mash up of all of these things? Yes. Is it good? Hells yes! I ventured in on a rainy cold night, so the first outdoor/indoor space was a bit wasted on my group. Instead we were in the true indoor space and spent time either mingling at the bar, sitting around the booth-like tables or (later in the night) showing off our moves as we enjoyed the DJ. The food was terrific - hot, flavoursome and beautifully presented in square steamer boxes that worked really well in conjunction with the cutlery holders, plates and sauce jars. It was obvious that a lot of thought has gone in to how the food is to be presented and consumed and it's this kind of attention to detail that always wins brownie points with me. Notable snacks: - The jars of pickled "things". I have no idea what it was (capsicum?) but it was delicious. - Crocodile spring rolls. No, I couldn't really taste crocodile but I felt badass eating them. - The bao, particularly the Kingfish. Fun to eat, though I think most of them came with mayo inside and I would have liked to have seen some variations on sauce. Wish a massive selection of beer, wine, impressive gin selection (though no Australian representation which I would have liked) and some inventive cocktails on the list there's pretty much something for everyone. I stuck to simple spirits and beer (Hitachino Nest White Ale on tap!) but I'd like to venture back to put the bartenders through their paces on the cocktails and see if they can cut it. The services was exceptional - super friendly and very attentive.

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).

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.

I have been to this pub a few times, but honestly, it really isn't one of my favourite places. Then…read moreagain that does have something to do with it being a pub that I visited for a meal, and I am not really a big fan of meals at pubs, at least in Victoria. Still, the pub itself is okay, even though it really isn't a true inner city pub, rather more one of those more suburban style pubs. Yet, in a way it was nice, and the service somewhat friendly.

I went to the end of the 96 tram line just to see how people commute out to the burbs. Stopped at…read morethis local bar for a steak sandwich and chips. Good sandwich with local clientele atmosphere.

There are a lot of really cool things about this little pub near the Queen Victoria Markets. Okay,…read moreit also doubles as a backpackers hostel so you are going to get a lot of the backpackers drinking here, but that isn't really a bad thing. On the front door there is this really strange statue that I am still trying to work out what it is, but due to the fishing theme that hits you when you walk inside (such as the net and the bouys that are dangling from the ceiling) I suspect that it may be a mermaid or something like that (though it does look a bit ugly to be a mermaid). Yes, this is a pretty grungy pub, but that is what I like in a pub, and they also have some pretty cheap drinks here as well, so this is certainly on my list of pubs to return to again.

Again am embarrassed to admit how long it's taken me to get to this awesome pub. Seriously dont…read moreask, cos I won't tell. Let's just say too long. I've seen in the last few weeks some awesome bands here. Most notably The Stiffys, Laura Imbruglia and Dart. Definitely a dive bar with decently priced not shit beer. They aren't changing the world, but maybe they are. Bringing decent craft beer to the masses.

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.

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!

I'm very impressed with this place. I've only had a drink here in the past and I can't remember…read morewhat put me off coming back. The pub itself had a good amount of space (inc a dining area) and a semi covered outdoor area. The beer selection is excellent ranging from Hargreaves Hill to Hawkers Pale Ale as well as the rubbish beers for those who don't know better (Carlton etc). Whilst he was disappointed that they were out (?!) of fish and chips he had the fish off the special board and loved it. He said the crispy skin trout with leek purée was fantastic; perfectly cooked. I had the beef bourguignon with sweet potato mash and garlic green beans it was excellent. Every bite was awesome. My only disappointment is that (as all Victorian venues) smokers pollute the outdoor space and as this is a popular venue lots of people are eating outdoors.

Went to the Union tonight for the first time with some girlfriends. Lovely interior, patrons ranged…read morefrom kids with parents, uni students right up to oldies. Pub menu was delicious. Really nice food. I had a beef & bacon pie with mash & friends had the burger & chicken parma. They both were very pleased. The Union has an awesome outdoor area too. I will almost certainly go back to this place as it close to my work, not wanky & staff were very friendly.

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!