The Best Pubs In Townsville To Sink A Schooner

There’s nothing quite like a pub feed to cap off your week. Especially in Townsville/Gurambilbarra, where the community watering holes make you feel like a local from the moment you walk in. From beachfront beer gardens to heritage hotels, Townsville’s pub scene is just as big on atmosphere as it is on food and frothies.

Ready to round up your mates, sink an ice-cold schooner (or three) and tuck into a hearty meal? Here’s our pick of the best pubs across the city—where good times and great beers are always on tap.

The Metropole Hotel

81 Palmer Street, Townsville City

Image credit: The Metropole Hotel | Instagram

We're calling it: fresh from a revamp by heritage architects Tunbridge & Tunbridge, The Met is now one of Townsville’s most photogenic pubs. Inside, Art Deco details (think warm timber textures, emerald feature tiles and French-washed painted walls) set the scene, while outside, panoramic views of the marina, Magnetic Island and Castle Hill steal the show. Pair a perfectly cooked steak or fresh seafood with a cold one and settle in for golden hour.  

Molly Malone’s Irish Pub

87/95 Flinders Street, Townsville City

Every city needs an Irish pub, and Molly Malone’s arguably does it best in Townsville. There's dark timber tables, Guinness flowing on tap and generous plates of crumbed steak and beef Guinness pie that taste even better after a couple of schooners. By day it’s your go-to for a casual bite, but once the live music starts, Molly’s transforms into a rollicking good time. Open-mic nights, Irish bands and a crowd that loves a singalong (guilty) keeps the craic alive well into the evening. 

The Australian Hotel

11 Palmer Street, South Townsville 

Ask any local and they’ll tell you the Aussie (as The Australian Hotel is affectionately known) is where the good times roll. As one of the first pubs in Townsville slinging beers since 1888, this family-owned heritage venue is an icon for a reason. There’s something for everyone: juicy steaks with a cult following, a leafy beer garden out back and all the live sport you could ever want on the big screens. Did we mention Free Oyster Friday? Yep, the Aussie serves freshly shucked oysters for free every Friday to kickstart the weekend in style.   

The Beach Hotel

70 The Strand, North Ward

Image credit: The Beach Hotel | Instagram

You know that post-swim bliss—salty hair, sea breeze on your skin and a refreshing drink sweating on the table? That’s how it feels to pull up a chair on the deck at The Beach Hotel (formerly the Anelay Rooftop Bar and Restaurant). Located on The Strand, this beachfront gem is perfect for long lunches with friends that turn into happy hour drinks. As for the kitchen? The menu is a love letter to Tropical North Queensland, serving up fresh-caught seafood alongside all the classics you'd expect from a pub, like grilled steaks, schnittys, wood-fired pizzas and even bolognese. 

The Taphouse

373 Flinders St, Townsville City

Based in Townsville’s coolest dining precinct City Lane, The Taphouse is our go-to spot for after work bevvies. The airy, industrial-style bar comprises ten rotating taps that showcase pours from some of Australia’s best independent breweries. Pair your pint with classics like burgers, tapas and share plates, and you’ll see why it’s a firm favourite among locals and craft beer lovers alike.

Townsville Brewing Co

252 Flinders Street, Townsville

Image credit: Townsville Brewing Co | Supplied

You’d never guess that Townsville Brewing Co was once the city’s 1889 post office. Now, this family-owned brewery has traded letters for lagers, becoming a must-visit craft beer hub. Inside, soaring heritage ceilings frame a rotating lineup of beers brewed onsite—from crisp lagers to hop-heavy IPAs—while the courtyard is perfect for sharing pizzas, slow-cooked ribs, and grazing plates with mates. Throw in trivia nights and live tunes, and you’ve got a spot worthy of any pub catchup. 

Seaview Hotel

56 The Strand, Townsville City

Sunset seekers, this one’s for you. The Seaview Hotel is Townsville’s ultimate sundowner spot, perched on The Strand with unmatched views of the Coral Sea. Recently renovated, the historic 1929 pub now blends heritage charm with modern, coastal interiors that reflect the venue’s waterfront location. Plus, it dishes up all your classic pub grub alongside beers on tap, cocktails and wine. Pull up on the deck for ocean views, or hit the dog-friendly garden bar to enjoy live music on weekends.

The Commonwealth Hotel

46 Allen Street, South Townsville

Image credit: The Taphouse | Instagram

The Commonwealth Hotel, aka the Commie, has been a staple in Townsville’s pub scene since 1901. This heritage beauty serves up everything from juicy burgers and fresh seafood to crowd-pleasing Korean bites—yep, kimchi fried chicken and bibimbap bowls make the menu. Families love the alfresco area, complete with a playground for the little ones, while upstairs the breezy verandah is perfect for a Sunday sesh. 

Tiny Mountain Brewery

20 Palmer Street, South Townsville 

In the shadow of Castle Hill, Tiny Mountain Brewery brews bold, refreshing beers made for long, sun-drenched North Queensland days. The relaxed, industrial-style brewpub (named after the city’s tiny peak) serves a rotating line-up, from crisp lagers to the signature Great Barrier Reef Gose, alongside wood-fired pizzas and smoky, share-style eats. Best of all, furry friends are welcome in the open-air areas. 

Maggie Island Brewery

9 Esplanade, Picnic Bay

Image credit: Maggie Island Brewery | Instagram

For something a little different, head to a nano-brewery on an island. Just a short ferry ride from Townsville, Maggie Island Brewery in Picnic Bay’s Seasalt Arcade brews and pours local drops onsite, such as Holiday XPA, Dank ’83 IPA and the crisp Maggie Mid lager. There’s also a selection of fine wines, spirits and artisan cocktails. Whatever your poison, pair it with Latin-inspired tapas from Amaroo or a wood-fired pizza from Mamma Roma, and kick back with one of the most scenic views on the island.

North Shore Tavern

37 Main St, Burdell

A little out from the city but worth the drive, North Shore Tavern is a crowd-favourite for its casual vibes, cold beers, and excellent pub fare. Sports fans flock here for live games on big screens (the largest sports screen in Townsville, no less), while families and friends settle in for schnitzels, loaded burgers, and share plates made for group grazing. The beer garden catches the afternoon sun, making it an ideal spot for weekend hangouts—or post-match drinks.

Image credit: Tiny Mountain Brewery | Kirra Smith Photography