Melbourne’s best pubs to watch the big dance (and we’re not just talking about Kylie)

Whether you’re going for the game, the drinks and footy snacks, queen Kylie, or all of the above, these are the pubs to flock to this grand final week, good times guaranteed (unless your team gets walloped).

For Lions and Dockers diehards

The Royal Derby, Fitzroy

The Royal Derby may be a little rough around the edges, but it’s got plenty of heart and soul and one of the ’hoods biggest beer gardens. As the official pub for Brisbane (and original Fitzroy) Lions fans, a great atmosphere and huge crowd is guaranteed, so don something red, yellow and blue and get among it for raffles, rousing footy and an almighty roar, no matter what the result. Some walk-ins will be available. There will be live music after the game (and guards of honour before it).
446 Brunswick St, Fitzroy royalderbyhotel.com.au

The Great Northern Hotel, Carlton North

It may already be booked out for Saturday afternoon (some walk-ins will be available from 9am Saturday), but all this week the grand old Great Northern beer garden will be heaving with Fremantle Dockers fans, enjoying a parma, a pint, and lots of purple-hazed wharfie time before, during and after the game. On Thursday, the DJ who whips the crowd into a frenzy at Dockers’ home games will be on the GN decks from 2-5pm. Dog-friendly, Dockers-friendly fun.
644 Rathdowne St, Carlton North, phone (03) 9380 9569 gnh.net.au

For free-flowing all-inclusive food and drink

The Waterside Hotel, CBD

This seven-storey CBD superpub is putting on a good show on grand final day with big screens and five hours of free-flowing food and drinks in The Balter Lounge, throughout level one and on the wraparound terrace for $148 per person. Or pay as you go and watch it on the big screens on the ground floor.
508 Flinders Street, Melbourne. watersidehotel.com.au

Quarterhouse, Docklands

The Docklands destination pub is throwing a rooftop viewing party, and you’re all invited. With a mega screen showing the game, pre- and post-game entertainment, roaming canapes and siren-to-siren bottomless house wine and schooners for $110 per person (upgrade to spirits for $130), it’ll be a great spot to spend the last Saturday in September.
693 Collins Street, Docklands quarterhouse.com.au

Good Nature Hotel, CBD

The Fed Square watering hole formerly known as Beer Deluxe is now Good Nature, and it’s getting in on the action early, opening at 9am for breakfast, live music and face painting before the game. The siren-to-siren package is good value: $105 per person for your choice of main and three hours of bottomless beer and wine in the beer garden — and all the action on the big screen, of course.
Federation Square, goodnaturehotel.com.au

Morris House, CBD

Take your pick from two pretty great packages on offer at the multi-level slick city pub. For $109 per person enjoy bottomless beer, wine and roaming canapes from 2pm-6pm, or take things up a notch, literally, at the rooftop VIP viewing party where $210 per person will get you premium drinks, deluxe food stations and guaranteed seats. Whichever you choose, there’ll be DJs to dance to from the final siren until late.
120 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, morrishouse.com.au

Terminus Hotel, Fitzroy North

The Fitzroy North Terminus (not to be confused with the Abbotsford Terminus, which is throwing its annual sold-out block party) is throwing a tailgate party with a half-time handball comp, face-painting, big screens showing the match and the great-value beer garden package. For just $75 per person you’ll get siren-to-siren bottomless Bodriggy Speccy Juice among other drinks, stadium food and VIP seating.
492 Queens Parade, Fitzroy North terminus.com.au

Walk-ins welcome

Transport Hotel, CBD

If you’re looking for a place to base yourself not too far from the footy, Fed Square is a strong choice. There’s no bookings, just walk-ins at Transport Hotel, which opens at 9am Saturday, with the game live and loud on 13 screens and three mega screens to make sure you won’t miss a second of the action. Celebrations kick on late into the night — wear your dancing trainers.
Transport Public Bar, Federation Square, transporthotel.com.au

The Imperial Hotel, CBD

Just 700 metres from the MCG, the Imperial makes a top meeting spot before, during or after the game, kicking off with breakfast from 8am and five levels of big screen footy action. There’s also live music at half-time and after the game, and a free sausage sizzle on the rooftop.
2-8 Bourke Street, Melbourne, bourkestreetimperial.com

The London Tavern, Richmond

Its proximity to the mighty ’G makes this grand old boozer the perfect spot for an Ashcroft or Serong debrief before or after the game. But if you didn’t nab a ticket, it’s also a cracking spot to watch the action on the big screens. The beer garden will be the prime viewing spot this sunny Saturday. For a bucket-list footy experience, jostle for a spot among the diehards in the main bar while sipping Carlton Draught and yelling at players who’ll never hear you. Walk-ins only from 9am.
238 Lennox Street, Richmond, londontavernhotel.com

The Duke of Wellington, CBD

Melbourne’s oldest pub is a mere 15-minute walk from the MCG, making it the perfect pitstop for lucky footy-goers before or after the match. With taps pouring from 10am and several levels of revelry from ground to rooftop, it’s set to be a long and lively celebration. It’ll also be showing the big match loud and live on multiple big screens.
146 Flinders Street, Melbourne, dukeofwellington.com.au

For back-to-back Kylie hits

Cleo Rooftop, CBD

If the actual footy is more of a sideshow for you and your crew, head to Cleo Rooftop and celebrate Kylie Minogue’s much anticipated pre-game performance with three-nights of Kylie’s biggest hits, back-to-back, all weekend. There’ll be Kylie Minogue tribute DJs spinning around, specialty Patrón Tequila margaritas and sunset city views across the rooftop, Friday through Sunday. Enjoy the sunset sips.
Cleo Rooftop, Level 12/130 Russell Street, Melbourne, cleomelbourne.com.au