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 you off.
We’ve hunted down the 16 spots where kids go feral in enclosed play zones, teens disappear into arcades and parents finally get to eat a meal while it’s still hot. Genius? Absolutely. Long overdue? Even more so.
We want you to be the first in the know. Join Urban List Insiders, we’ll shoot you all Melbourne’s best things to eat, drink and do every week.
Without further ado, these are 16 of Melbourne's Best Family-Friendly Pubs With Playgrounds:
The 16 Best Pubs With Play Areas In Melbourne
Stomping Ground Brewery
100 Gipps Street, Collingwood
Image: Stomping Ground | Website
This is where Melbourne's craft beer scene 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.
READ MORE
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, leaving you to enjoy your meal in peace. Parents 1-Kids 0!
READ MORE
The Berwick Spring Hotel
288-296 Clyde Road, Berwick
Image: Berwick Spring Hotel | Website
Prepare for next-level playtime at The Berwick Spring Hotel's Kids Planet, a warehouse-sized indoor playground that feels like Melbourne’s answer to Kidzania! This vibrant, high-ceiling wonderland is packed with climbing towers, slides and interactive games—big enough to keep kids busy for hours (yes, hours). Perfect for birthdays or big family catch-ups, it’s the best "parents relax while kids go wild" setup. Pair the chaos with pub classics and cold drinks, and you’ve got a foolproof recipe for family fun.
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).
READ MORE
The Station Hotel
59 Napier Street, Footscray
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
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—all while you keep an eye on them via live screens in the dining area. No more interruptions to check on the chaos! With a menu full of crowd-pleasers and coffee always on tap, it’s the prime "play hard, dine easy" family place.
READ MORE
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—all without losing sight of the action. 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.
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
The Ball Court Hotel
60 Macedon Street, Sunbury
Sundays just got more exciting! The Ball Court Hotel’s new playground—set on soft green turf—lets kids run wild 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.
READ MORE
Lower Plenty Hotel
4 Main Road, Lower Plenty
At the
Lower Plenty Hotel, Kids will love the indoor playground featuring a giant goofy shark slide they can climb through—jaws and all! While the little ones exhaust themselves, adults can sneak away to the separate “gaming” lounge with slots and pokies for some grown-up fun. With a relaxed vibe and family-friendly menu, it’s the spot for a family meal where everyone gets their own kind of entertainment.
The Victoria Hotel
188 Hyde Street, Yarraville
A historic gem with a modern family twist!
The Victoria Hotel’s brand-new jids Room is a wonderland of creativity, featuring a Lego wall, giant chalkboard, reading nook and even a mini "tech zone." While kids doodle or play, parents can enjoy seasonal pub dishes in the beautifully restored bar from 1873. Sundays amp up the fun with live kids’ entertainment, plus perks like free parking, pram access and healthy kids’ meals. Check out their interactive train mural of Yarraville, even the grown-ups will want to join the fun!
Edwardes Lake Hotel
257 Edwardes Street, Reservoir Victoria
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 (6–8pm) bring rotating entertainment like magicians, face painters and balloon artists, giving parents the perfect excuse to turn dinner into a private dinner away. With a relaxed vibe and crowd-pleasing pub menu, it’s the place for families who want playtime and 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 kids can slide, climb and groove to the interactive TV while you enjoy a meal in peace. 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
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 parma
The Templestowe Hotel
23 Parker Street, Templestowe Lower
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.
Main Image Credit: The Matthew Flinders Hotel | Website
Urban List Best Of: has our highest stamp of approval—curated lists of the very best recommendations for you to eat, do, see, buy or book, carefully chosen by our Editors.
Restaurants
What is the best restaurant in Melbourne? Our fair city has hundreds of spots that could be considered the best. Good thing I've got my 20 favourite spots for you right here, with something for everyone.
Restaurants
The long weekend is just around the corner so it’s time to start planning your social movements for the mini-break. Whether you celebrate Easter or not, we can all agree it’s pretty nice to have a four-day weekend to catch up with friends and family while letting someone else do all the cooking and cleaning—surcharges are totally worth it. Here’s your list of what’s on over the Easter weekend in Melbourne.
Bars & Pubs
When the clock hits cocktail hour you don't want to be messing around, it's time for a crisp martini or meaty negroni. Thanks to Melbourne's stellar culinary and bar scene there are some seriously good spots around the city to get a glass in hand. From hidden watering holes to some serious first-class swank here are Urban List's picks for the best cocktail bars Melbourne has to offer in 2025.
Bars & Pubs
The Melbourne CBD is a labyrinth for hidden bars, whether they be upstairs, underground or tucked away at the end of a laneway. You don’t need to be Sherlock Holmes to suss them all out though—we’ve done the detective work for you. We’ve scoured all the nooks and crannies and come up with some of the best hidden bars Melbourne has to offer. All you need to do is turn up and find the door.