It’s footy season, and the AFL Grand Final is fast approaching. This year, the match will kick off at 2:30pm on Saturday September 28. And if you can’t make it to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) to watch the game live and in person, don’t worry. Melbourne is filled with heaps of pubs and restaurants that are airing the AFL Grand Final, live and loud on the big screen. These venues are having street parties, opening for pre-game feeds, serving up special menus and more for the footy. So, get amongst the action and book yourself in to watch the Grand Final at one of these pubs around Melbourne.
1. Beer DeLuxe Fed Square
Watch the game live, stop by for a drink and more at this convenient spot between Flinders Street Station and the MCG. Beer DeLuxe Fed Square is open for pre-match meals and post-game drinks. Sip on beer, wine and cocktails, and feast on pub favourites like schnitzels, burgers and chips. If you’re catching the Grand Final Parade the day before on Friday, they will also be open from 10am, with live music after the parade. Bookings are recommended.
📍Federation Square, Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000
2. Transport Hotel
Head to the ground floor of Transport Hotel and catch the AFL Grand Final on the big screen. Arrive early at Transport Public Bar and listen to live music from Andrew Da Silva from 11am to 2pm. Then, grab a drink and watch the game unfold live. Keep the good vibes going with a piano singalong from 7pm to 9pm. Learn more here.
📍Transport Hotel, Ground Level Federation Square, Melbourne VIC 3000
3. Richmond Club Hotel
Heading to the game? Stop by Richmond Club Hotel for breakfast from 9am in the Public Bar & Beer Garden, and from 10am on Level One & Rooftop. See the game live across the venue, and keep your energy up with the help of a DJ on Level One. See more here.
📍100 Swan St, Richmond VIC 3121
4. Harlow
Swing by Harlow for a pregame meal from 11am on Grand Final Day. Stick around to catch the game on screens around the venue, and enter the raffle for a pub voucher and other prizes. After the match, there will be DJs playing in the basement bar. See more here.
📍447 Church St, Richmond VIC 3121
5. Fargo and Co
Fargo and Co are starting the party early with a pregame event on Friday night. Start the long weekend right with shots on arrival, two hours of bottomless beverages and select cocktails, share plates and DJs from 6pm. This party package is $89 per person.
After that, turn up on Granny Day, watch the game live and enjoy three hours of bottomless drinks and roaming snacks for $99 per person. There will be DJs afterwards to keep the party going into the early hours. Learn more here.
📍216 Swan St, Richmond VIC 3121
6. Flour Child Richmond
Flour Child Richmond is serving up bottomless sessions with Pinsa Romana pizzas on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On Grand Final Day, there will be bottomless sessions for before, during and after the game. Enjoy a shot on arrival, feast on an assortment of pizza and sip on cocktails, beer and wine. There will also be a large screen broadcasting the game live, so you don’t have to miss a thing. Find out more.
📍432 Church St, Richmond VIC 3121
7. Bridge Road Main Street
Bridge Road in Richmond will have a massive street party on Grand Final Day. Kicking off at 10am, there will be plenty of festivities before, during and after the game. There will be two street closures, and DJs and live music playing beats throughout the day. Pop by participating venues like The Sporting Globe, Richmond Republic, Bouzy Rouge and more for your game day feed. Find more details here.
📍Bridge Road, Richmond VIC 3121
8. The Posty
The Posty is celebrating with an AFL Grand Final Laneway Party. See the game live, and stick around afterwards for drinks and music. The Posty is open from 10am till late, and it’s just a 12-minute stroll from there to the MCG. See more here.
📍90 Swan St, Cremorne VIC 3121
9. Maeve Fox
Maeve Fox is celebrating the Grand Final with five hours of unlimited Furphy, Heineken, Stone & Wood, wine and sparkling, as well as popular footy food like burgers, sausage rolls, pies and fried chicken. Doors open at 12pm, and the package is $99. There will also be DJs playing from 6pm to 3am. See more here.
📍472 Church St, Cremorne VIC 3121
10. Morris House
Morris House is serving up bottomless sips and roaming canapes on Level 1 from 1pm to 5pm on Grand Final Day. This package costs $99 per person, but if you’re after something more casual, the Rooftop is also open. Of course, they will be airing the game live. More info here.
📍120 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC 3000
11. The Hawthorn Hotel
The Hawthorn Hotel is playing the game live, and serving up a special footy menu and discounted jugs from 12pm. Items on the menu include classic game feeds like pies and sausage rolls. There’s also a cover band that will celebrate the winning team after the match. More info here.
📍127 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000
12. Imperial Hotel Bourke Street
Imperial Hotel has a pretty epic day planed for the Grand Final. Pop by for breakfast from 9am to 1pm, and enjoy a breakfast and drink on arrival, as well as the best seats to watch the game on Level 1. Upgrade this package to include a meet and greet with Brownlow Medalist Dane Swan. If you’re after something more casual, you can also visit for breakfast and lunch on the ground floor and rooftop. More info here.
📍2-8 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
13. Garden State Hotel
This pub in Melbourne is celebrating with a beverage package and halftime nibbles for $135 per person. Otherwise, pop by for the afterparty from 5:30pm to 3am and have fun with DJs and live music. Find out more about Garden State Hotel here.
📍101 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
14. Cannoleria x American Doughnut Kitchen
Pop by any Cannoleria store to try their new flavour inspired by the footy jam donut. They’ve teamed up with American Doughnut Kitchen to create some cannoli that’s filled with ricotta swirled with raspberry jam. The crunchy shell outside is then garnished with crumbled doughnuts. Find it from September 20 until October 3. Grab a sweet treat to take and enjoy the match at home. See their locations here.
📍Melbourne
15. Boatbuilders Yard
The Boatbuilders Yard is playing the glam live on the jumbotron in the beer garden, as well as on seven other big screens around the venue. Entry is free and they’ll be open from 8am. Brick Lane Brewing will take over the taps, and if you’re bringing your friends, book a Meat Coma platter for $120 and feast on brisket, al pastor pork, cheese kranzsky and more. Find out more.
📍23 S Wharf Promenade, South Wharf VIC 3006
16. UGO Burrata Bar
UGO Burrata Bar has teamed up with Wonderpies to create something in celebration of the AFL Grand Final. Sink your teeth into their limited-edition chicken pie, filled with tomato, Italian spice and burrata. This pie is available from September 20 to 29.
📍322/326 Coventry St, South Melbourne VIC 3205
17. Builders Arms Hotel
Treat yourself to a long lunch at Builders Arms Hotel on Grand Final Day. From midday, graze through a classic prawn cocktail, smoked ham, O’Connor sirloin, chips and more, while watching the game from one of the five screens around the venue. This long lunch is $90 per person. Otherwise, there’s a BBQ happening in the courtyard from 11am, serving up bacon and egg rolls. See what else is on here.
📍211 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
18. Terminus Hotel, Fitzroy North
Terminus Hotel is playing the AFL Grand Final live on the screens in both the Corner Bar and Level One space. Treat yourself to a three-hour food and drinks package. This includes bottomless drinks, roaming canapes and footy staples. After the game, there will be live musicto celebrate. Tickets are $120 per person. Learn more here.
📍492 Queens Parade, Fitzroy North VIC 3068
19. Terminus Hotel Abbotsford
Terminus Hotel is shutting down Flockhart Street for their annual Grand Final Day Block Party in Abbotsford. Watch the game on the mega screen, while enjoying bottomless drinks and roving canapes. There will be live music from 12pm to 2pm, a live band from 5:30pm to 8:30pm, and a DJ from 8:30pm until late. Tiered packages start from $109 per person. Learn more here.
📍605 Victoria St, Abbotsford VIC 3067
20. Abbots Yard
Abbots Yard is airing the Grand Final live on their state-of-the-art LED screens. Secure your spot in the outdoor beer garden with one of their food and drink packages. Choose between a pizza package or a grazing picnic package. On top of the game, there will also be live music and entertaining activities like pool tables, basketball and darts. Learn more here.
📍329-341 Victoria St, Abbotsford VIC 3067
21. Welcome to Thornbury
Welcome to Thornbury is showing the Grand Final live across the venue. Doors open from 12pm, and there’s plenty of food trucks for you to choose from. See more here.
📍520 High St, Northcote VIC 3070
22. Newmarket Hotel
Doors open from 11am at Newmarket Hotel, so you can come in for an early drink or a $5 Irish coffee. Indulge in their three-hour package, which includes bottomless drinks and a meal. This package runs from 2:30pm to 5:30pm and costs $99 per person. Stick around for a DJ and afterparty from 7pm. More info here.
📍34 Inkerman St, St Kilda VIC 3182
23. Hotel Esplanade
The Espy has a couple of cool things going on Grand Final Day. Pop into the Gershwin Room for three hours of drinks and roaming snacks for $110 per person. Or, head into Louey’s for an Italian feast and drink package. This scrumptious package includes house-made focaccia, rare roast prime rib and limoncello tiramisu at $140 for adults. See more here.
📍11 The Esplanade, St Kilda VIC 3182