A Parents’ Guide To Melbourne’s Best Family Pubs With Playgrounds
Melbourne’s best pubs are redefining family-friendly dining—with proper playgrounds (yes, actual slides and climbing frames), delicious food (hello, gourmet parmas) and cocktails to top it all off.
We’ve hunted down the 21 best pubs in Melbourne where kids can go feral in enclosed play zones, teens can disappear into arcades and parents finally get to eat a meal while it’s still hot. Genius? Absolutely. Long overdue? Even more so.
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Without further ado, these are 20 of Melbourne's Best Family-Friendly Pubs With Playgrounds:
The 21 Best Pubs With Playgrounds In Melbourne
Stomping Ground Brewery
100 Gipps Street, Collingwood
Image: Stomping Ground | Website
This is where Melbourne's craft beer scene finally got family-friendly. Stomping Ground's awesome cubby house lets kids climb, slide and explore for hours, while parents down some of Melbourne's best craft beers (with 30 taps to choose from). The cypress timber cubby house fits right into the cool brewery vibe—no bright plastic here. There's even space for birthday parties. With great food for grown-ups and kids alike, it's the perfect spot for parents who want proper drinks while the kids have their own fun.
Anglers Tavern
2 Anglers Way, Maribyrnong
Image: Anglers Tavern | Instagram
Anglers Tavern is a parent’s dream, with two dedicated kids’ spaces to keep little ones entertained while you kick back. The Kids Quaters area is packed with an outdoor playground, iPad station, trikes and giant board games—while the Reading Room offers a quieter retreat. Kids can enjoy a special menu, complete with soft serve and toppings, while parents appreciate the private feeding and change facilities. Every Sunday between 12pm and 2pm free live entertainment adds even more fun. Just remember that parent supervision is required—spaces aren’t staffed.
Good Nature Hotel
Federation Square, Flinders Street, Melbourne
Family outings in the city are easy at Good Nature Hotel. With flexible spaces and a fully enclosed, weather-proof playground that’s fully visible from the dining area, the kids can run riot with slides, climbing walls, and noughts and crosses while the parents kick back with a drink and hearty meal. And with its Fed Square location just across the road from Flinders Street Station, there’s no fussy parking or Uber planning required.
Banjo's Bistro
9 Ellison Street, Malvern East
Image Credit: Banjo's Social Club | Supplied
Banjo's Social Club Beer Garden have collaborated with Stomping Ground Brewery to create a parent's dream, transforming their decommissioned bowling green into a sprawling, relaxed beer turf where kids have the ideal open-air playground—the entire lawn. While the little ones run free, parents can chill out with a Stomping Ground beer or a cocktail from the container bar, with scrumpious bites from a colourful Mexican food truck. The family-friendly perks are top-tier, featuring live music and afternoon DJs on weekends, a Sunday petting zoo and evening cinema screenings. Best of all, it's a kid-friendly and dog-friendly space where the whole gang is welcome to relax in a classic bowlo.
Beretta’s Langwarrin Hotel
220 Cranbourne-Frankston Road, Langwarrin
Image Credit: Beretta’s Langwarrin Hotel | Supplied
Parents can dine in peace while kids go wild at Beretta’s Worx Zone—a four-level soft play wonderland at Beretta’s Langwarrin Hotel. This family-run spot truly gets kids, offering daily perks to Kids Club members like free kids meals, free ice cream and Monday night Kids Night Out celebrations. Birthdays are a breeze with free kids meals, ice cream cake and balloons (just sign up 48+ hours in advance). Membership is free but limited to locals within 40km, and physical cards are required for deals.
Pink Hill Hotel
20 Pink Hill Boulevard, Beaconsfield
Image: Pink Hill Hotel | Website
Get ready for double the fun at the Pink Hill Hotel’s next-level play zone, where kids can go wild in both indoor and outdoor play areas. The dedicated space—packed with soft play mats, epic slides and climbable wonders—lets imaginations run free while you relax in the bistro (with a clear view, thanks to the smart separate-but-connected setup). Whether they’re bouncing inside or exploring outside, one thing’s guaranteed: they’ll crash out after. Parents 1–Kids 0.
The Berwick Spring Hotel
288-296 Clyde Road, Berwick
Image: Berwick Spring Hotel | Website
Chelsea Heights Hotel
Corner Springvale Road & Wells Road, Chelsea Heights
Image: Chelsea Heights Hotel | TripAdvisor
Let your kids run amuck The Stadium, Chelsea Heights Hotel’s newly renovated jungle gym packed with climbing nets, slides and play zones. While they explore, parents can relax knowing there’s a dedicated kids menu with tasty, age-appropriate options for hungry little adventurers (up to age 12). Chelsea Heights is perfect for high-energy family outings where kids play hard and refuel easily.
The Matthew Flinders Hotel
667 Warrigal Road, Chadstone
Image: Matthew Flinders Hotel | Website
The Matthew Flinders Hotel is a complete entertainment zone. Little ones go wild for the ALLEYZ bowling arcade and dedicated games area, while parents relax knowing they can always request to keep an eye on the action. The hotel takes birthday parties to the next level with awesome add-ons like magicians, puppet shows and karaoke—plus delicious platters starting at $75. Whether it's a special occasion or just Friday night dinner, this is where families come for guaranteed fun (and sanity-redeeming grown-up time).
The Station Hotel
59 Napier Street, Footscray
Image: The Station Hotel | Instagram
The Beer Garden at The Station Hotel is a family paradise, complete with a shaded outdoor play area where kids can let loose. Sundays turn up the fun with a free petting zoo and face painting—making it the ultimate weekend treat. Best of all, your furry family members are welcome too, so no one gets left behind. Parents can relax with a cold drink while the kids play, making it the perfect spot for sunny afternoons with the whole crew.
Waltzing Matilda Hotel
856–868 Heatherton Road, Springvale
Image: Watzing Matilda Hotel | Instagram
For family-friendly fun in the southeast, the Waltzing Matilda Hotel provides its indoor slide area—wonderful for kids to run around while parents unwind nearby. The space also includes crawl tunnel spaces and arcade games for extra entertainment, and even picky eaters will love the kid-approved menu (complete with dessert, of course). With comfy seating and pool tables for the grown-ups, it’s a laid-back spot where everyone leaves happy.
The Dava Hotel
614 Esplanade, Mount Martha
Image: The Dava Hotel | Website
The Dava Hotel is a parent’s paradise, offering the best of both worlds with indoor and outdoor playgrounds for non-stop kid fun. Little ones can climb and explore in the safe indoor playroom, while adventurers conquer the mega outdoor playground. With a menu full of crowd-pleasers and coffee at the ready, it’s primed for afternoons spent kicking back with the fam.
The Croxton Park Hotel
607 High Street, Thornbury
Image: Croxton Park Hotel | Website
The Croxton Park Hotel is a family favourite thanks to its cleverly designed indoor play area, perfectly positioned behind glass right in the dining space. Kids get their own zone to climb, slide and play safely while parents enjoy a meal and a drink. The modern bistro serves up crowd-pleasing pub classics (think loaded parmas and crispy fries), while the relaxed vibe makes it a go-to for stress-free family dining.
Coolaroo Hotel
Corner Of Barry Road & Maffra Street, Coolaroo
Image: Coolaroo Hotel | Website
A hit with local families, the Coolaroo Hotel keeps both kids and parents happy with its carpeted indoor play area—ideal for little ones to safely climb, slide and burn off energy for hours. While the kids play, adults can unwind in the sports bar or enjoy a meal from the bistro, complete with a dedicated kids menu (even fussy eaters will find something to love). With relaxed vibes and hassle-free supervision, it’s a restful spot for the family.
The Ball Court Hotel
60 Macedon Street, Sunbury
Image: The Ball Court Hotel | Supplied
Set on soft green turf, The Ball Court Hotel’s playground lets kids run wild safely while parents kick back. And here’s the kicker: kids eat half-price every Sunday, with meals like burgers, pasta and (the ultimate win) ice cream with sprinkles. Add live entertainment and space for them to burn off that sugar rush, and you’ve got the ultimate Family Day destination.
Lower Plenty Hotel
4 Main Road, Lower Plenty
Image: Lower Plenty Hotel | Instagram
At the Lower Plenty Hotel, Kids will love the indoor playground featuring a giant goofy shark slide they can climb through—jaws and all. With a relaxed vibe the Lower Plenty Hotel is the perfect spot for a family outing where everyone can enjoy their own kind of entertainment.
The Victoria Hotel
188 Hyde Street, Yarraville
Image: The Victoria Hotel | Instagram
Edwardes Lake Hotel
257 Edwardes Street, Reservoir Victoria
Image: Edwardes Lake Hotel | Website
Step into Kids Planet at Edwardes Lake Hotel, where little ones can unleash their energy in a massive indoor play area packed with climbing structures, slides, and ball pits. The fun doesn’t stop there—Friday nights (6pm–8pm) bring rotating entertainment like magicians, face painters and balloon artists, giving parents the perfect excuse to turn dinner into a moment of respite. A great spot for families who want playtime as well as downtime.
The Glasshouse
31 Station Street, Caulfield East
Image: The Glasshouse | Website
The Glasshouse nails family-friendly dining with its bright indoor play centre right in the heart of the restaurant—so you can keep a steady eye on the kids while they slide, climb and groove to the interactive TV. With all-day dining, modern pub classics and a laid-back lounge vibe, it’s ideal for early dinners or lazy weekend lunches. Parents get to laze in the sports bar or comfy booths, while little ones take care of themselves (no bribing required).
Auburn Hotel
85 Auburn Road, Hawthorn East
Image: Auburn Hotel | Supplied
Parents, rejoice. Auburn Hotel is your sunny-day savior, with a crazy-cool outdoor playground that’s like a mini adventure park—with tunnels, climbing nets and slides galore, all safely fenced so you can sip your bevvy in peace. But wait, it gets better: every Sunday, a free petting zoo rolls in with fluffy bunnies, cheeky goats and clucky chickens—because nothing beats seeing your kid’s face light up while you tuck into a well-earned parma.
The Templestowe Hotel
23 Parker Street, Templestowe Lower
Image: The Templestowe Hotel | Supplied
At the The Templestowe Hotel, kids get their own play HQ right next to the bar—so you can sip a craft beer while they conquer the indoor playground or battle it out on free arcade games. Big kids aren’t left out either, with computer game stations to keep them hooked. It’s the ultimate win-win: little ones burn energy, teens stay entertained and parents actually get to enjoy their pub meal.
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