Want to watch Sydney and Queensland battle it out for the State of Origin without having everyone crowd around the TV in the living room like a pack of sardines? You’re in luck, because some of Melb’s finest pubs and bars are screening the games. Plus, you’ll even be able to grab a parma and a pint whilst you watch!
Nothing beats watching State of Origin with cold beers, big screens, and an electric crowd. From raffles for Sydney trips to happy hour deals, these Melbourne pubs are going all out for the big games. Here’s where to post up for the ultimate footy experience.
Here are the bars and pubs screening the State of Origin this Wednesday. Remember, Game 1 is on this Wednesday, 28 May, with kick off at 8.05am.
Richmond Club Hotel
100 Swan Street, Richmond
Image: Richmond Club Hotel | Supplied
This Richmond institution has massive prizes up for grabs as well as showing the game (obvs). If you spend $20 or more, which is pretty likely in this economy, via The Pass app during Game 1 and 2 you're in the running to win a trip to Sydney for Game 3 including flights, tickets and accomm. Nice one.
Quarterhouse
693 Collins Street, Docklands
Image: Quarterhouse | Supplied
This is the big one, if you've been waiting for a chance to check out Melbourne's new mega-poub this is it. Docklands' newest sports bar features a 4-metre-wide LED screen in its ground-floor public bar, delivering every tackle and try in crystal-clear HD. For everything about this new venue (perfect for after work drinks IMHO) head over here.
College Lawn Hotel
36 Greville Street, Prahran
Image: College Lawn Hotel | Supplied
The classics are the classics for a reason. We know the College Lawn shows just about every match under the sun and the Origin is absolutely on. The marquee is up for the rain and if you get in early you can enjoy happy hour nice and early from 4pm-6pm with $10 tap beers and $8 wines perfect for getting the throat lubricated for all that shouting later.
The Hawthorn Hotel
481 Burwood Road, Hawthorn
Image: The Hawthorn Hotel | Supplied
Fancy a bit more of a low-key affair, like a steak or a parma with your game day beer? During the mens' matches you can grab a $29 steak with all the trimmings and a parma for $23 during the womens games. Plus, you know, all those screens and the genereal good time vibes of the Hawthorn Hotel.
The Duke of Wellington
146 Flinders Street, Melbourne
Image: The Duke Of Wellington | Supplied
Another after-work classic showing the games, The Duke of Wellington (did you know it has a mint rooftop?) has 22 screens so you absolutely won't miss a moment of the action even if you're scooting to the bar for that second ... or third pint.
Prince Alfred Hotel
619 Church Street, Richmond
Image: Prince Alfred Hotel | Supplied
Another chance to win a trip to Sydney for Game 3, get on down to the Prince Alfred and jag a few drinks for your chance to win, it's the same drill as the Richmond Club Hotel—spend $20 or more via The Pass app during Game 1 or 2 for your shot at flights, tickets and accommodation.
Terminus Hotel Abbotsford
605 Victoria Street, Abbotsford
Image: Terminus Hotel Abbotsford | Supplied
Game-time happy hour runs the duration of the match, how's that for an actual happy hour? No pre-gaming here, just gaming with drink specials going from 8pm-10pm with $12 tap beers and $8 wines, ideal for extended celebrations. Might need a doctor's certificate for Thursday with prices like that.
The Imperial Hotel
2-8 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Image: The Imperial Hotel | Supplied
There's a reason the Imperial is packed every afternoon and it's because it's not only a sports hub, close to train stations but also has a cracker rooftop and screens everywhere. If you haven't been and you're working in the CBD, this is the spot to catch all the Origin games live.
Anglers Tavern
2 Anglers Way, Maribyrnong
Image: Anglers Tavern | Supplied
The Anglers Tavern has had a ripper reno (post-floods, we're really glad something good came from a bad situation). This laid-back spot in the west has plenty of screens perfect for anyone wanting to stay close to home for an early bed time, or just to avoid those mad inner-city crowds.
Munich Brauhaus
45 S Wharf Promenade, South Wharf
This one sounds epic. The Bavarian, Munich Brauhaus and The Bavarian Beerhaüs are screening all the State of Origin games, and they're throwing in 10c chicken wings, plus football-sized feasts. Did we mention the 1-litre glass beer boots and 2-litre beer towers?
The Precinct Hotel
60 Swan Street, Cremorne
The Precinct is one of our favourite sports venues, and they'll be slinging pub-style food whilst you watch State of Origin, with everything from gluten-free to vegetarian—to make sure everyone is a happy punter.
Image credit: Annika Kafcaloudis
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