Melbourne’s Best Irish Pubs for St Paddy’s Day And Beyond

St Patrick’s Day might be just around the corner (or at the end of the rainbow, alongside a pot of gold and leprechaun?) on 17 March, but Melbourne’s best Irish pubs bring that famous Celtic spirit all year round. 

It might have started as a feast day for Ireland’s patron saint, but St Paddy’s Day has grown into a joyful worldwide celebration that sees cities covered in green, and Irish pubs everywhere full to the brim with happy punters. 

Whether you’re after an authentic pint of Guinness, a cosy fireside comfort meal, or a raring local where you can enjoy the Saturday night craic, there’s a venue near you to get a proper taste of the Emerald Isle. 

The Last Jar 

616 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne 

Image credit: The Last Jar | Website

Whether the weather is more like Melbourne summer or Dublin winter, the hearty, homely meals at The Last Jar are sure to warm your cockles. We’re talking proper beef and Guinness pies cooked up by Irish head chef Jake Beazley, and an extensive whiskey list to pair any meal with. In the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, it’s a favourite for those looking for a welcoming taste of Ireland. 

Don’t miss out on The Last Jar’s live music offerings across the week, plus their exceptional Happy Hour that runs every day from 4pm to 7pm. Book online here.

The Drunken Poet 

65 Peel Street, West Melbourne

Image credit: The Drunken Poet | Instagram

For our west-side four-leaf clovers, look no further than The Drunken Poet. With top-tier Guinness on tap and none of the twee clichés you might expect, this is a proper locals’ pub that’s conveniently located right next to the Victoria Markets. 

The Drunken Poet was even named in the Top 10 Irish pubs outside Ireland by the Irish Times in 2015, so you know it’s the real deal. Enjoy the cosy atmosphere, featuring portraits of Irish poets lining the walls, and make sure you check out their unbeatable roster of live music all throughout the week. Book online here. 

Murphys 

30 Aberdeen Street, Geelong

Image credit: Murphy's | Instagram

There’s something for everyone at Murphys, Geelong’s own iconic Irish bar that’s packed with local history. It was founded just after the Gold Rush and is the place where the Geelong Football Club was born, and now the venue hits that perfect Dublin-meets-Fitzroy vibe. 

There’s trivia each Tuesday, live music at the front bar on the weekend, and (of course) every Geelong game aired proudly on the big screen. Whatever you’re in the mood for, don’t forget to try their Irish ‘Parmi’ featuring curry sauce, bacon and cheese, in their nod to Ireland’s famous spice bags. Book online here. 

Bridie O’Reilly’s

462 Chapel Street, South Yarra

Image credit: Murphy's | Instagram

You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone in Melbourne’s south-east who hasn’t found themselves at Bridie O’Reilly’s at some stage of their pint-loving lives. The rustic-chic pub is in a Chapel Street location that’s hard to beat, and they’re open nice and late on Fridays and Saturdays—perfect for that late-night lager.

Sport is a big deal at Bridie’s, where they screen everything from soccer and AFL to the F1 and UFC. Their huge undercover beer garden is undoubtedly the highlight, though. Kick back with your favourite pour, no matter the weather, and people-watch along Chapel. Book online here.

The Fifth Province 

3/60 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda 

Image credit: The Fifth Province | Instagram

Living in St Kilda seems to be an unspoken rite of passage for anyone Irish relocating to Melbourne, so it’s no surprise that one of Melbourne’s best Irish pubs is right in the heart of the action on Fitzroy Street. 

The Fifth Province is sleek and modern on the outside, but cosy and welcoming on the inside—just as you’d expect from any Irish venue. From its vintage decor and streetside seating, to an ‘interactive’ whiskey menu, you could spend hours hidden away here. The owners pride themselves on The Fifth being reminiscent of classic taverns back in Galway or Dublin, but haven’t been afraid of upgrading the public bar, whiskey bar, verandah, and beer garden to feel fresh and new, whatever your craic may be. Book online here. 

The Irish Times

427 Little Collins Street, Melbourne 

Image credit: The Irish Times | Instagram

The Irish Times is true to its name: when you walk through the doors, you could just as well be standing in the heart of Dublin. Spread over two floors, the decor is moody with dark woods, stained-glass windows, and traditional Irish wrap-around bars. More importantly, the regulars rave about the quality of the Guinness pours. 

This place is a favourite amongst the city’s after-work crowd, and Friday nights get chockers. Any meal from the Irish kitchen will be a hit, but the steak and guinness pie and the traditional fish and chips are the standouts. Book online here. 

McDaid’s Irish Pub

1003 Point Nepean Road, Rosebud

Image credit: The Irish Times | Instagram

If you find yourself down the Mornington Peninsula and crave a perfectly poured pint, head on over to McDaid’s. It’s an authentically vibrant slice of Irish culture by the beach, with plenty of cosy nooks and wooden furniture to make you feel right at home. 

There are always plenty of live music, trad nights, and local events on the calendar at McDaid’s, where the locals say you can walk in as a stranger and leave as a friend. The lamb stew is hearty, and the Guinness is imported… say no more, we’re sold. Check it out here.

Main image credit: Murphy's | Instagram