Footy Fever Hits Home
Your Guide to Experiencing the AFL Grand Final in Your Local Melbourne Suburbs
The AFL Grand Final is more than just four quarters of footy, it’s a day filled with passion, community and celebration.
If you can’t make it to the MCG, there’s no shortage of local pubs, breweries, RSLs and family-friendly venues where you can get into the game-day spirit. Here’s your guide to where to watch, cheer and celebrate across our favourite suburbs.
Carnegie
- Carnegie Hotel – Classic sports bar with big screens and a buzzing atmosphere.
- Rosstown Hotel – Family-friendly dining, play area for the kids, and screens everywhere.
Bentleigh
- Bentleigh RSL – Affordable meals, relaxed club vibe, and plenty of screens.
- The Boundary Hotel – Spacious sports bar plus a family bistro that makes it easy with kids in tow.
Elsternwick
- Elsternwick Hotel – Huge screens, rooftop area, and plenty of footy energy.
- Ripponlea Food & Wine – A more low-key option where families can grab a bite and still catch the game.
Macedon Ranges
- Holgate Brewhouse – Craft beer and hearty meals in a cosy pub setting; kids welcome.
- The Victoria Hotel – Community pub with family-friendly spaces and locals cheering every goal.
Blackburn
- The Blackburn Hotel – Sports bar meets family bistro; great for groups of all sizes.
- Box Hill RSL – Relaxed, affordable, and very family-friendly.
Camberwell
- The Palace Hotel – A go-to sports bar for locals chasing the big game vibe.
- Riversdale Hotel – Pub classics, quieter spaces, and family-friendly areas for younger fans.
Mornington Peninsula
- Mornington Hotel – Local icon with a buzzing sports bar and family dining.
- Dainton Brewery – Craft beer for the adults, kids’ menu and open space for families.
Mount Waverley
- Notting Hill Hotel – Iconic student favourite with huge screens and a lively beer garden.
Mt Waverley RSL – More relaxed, family-oriented option with meals and club hospitality.
Oakleigh
- Oakleigh Junction Hotel – Beer garden, sports bar, and footy atmosphere.
- Railway Hotel – Old-school pub charm plus a welcoming family-friendly dining area.
Ascot Vale
- Union Hotel – Great modern pub food, lots of screens and a lively vibe.
- Ascot Vale Hotel – More laid-back, with bistro meals that suit families.
Essendon
- Rose of Australia Hotel – Iconic Essendon spot with strong Grand Final energy.
- Lincolnshire Arms Hotel – Family bistro, affordable options, and screens galore.
South Yarra
- The Emerson – Multi-level venue for party-vibe viewing.
- The Botanical Hotel – More family-friendly option with great food and a quieter dining room for those with kids.
Carlton
- The Great Northern Hotel – Packed with footy fans, one of Melbourne’s most famous Grand Final pubs.
- Prince Alfred Hotel – Family-friendly pub near the uni with hearty meals and plenty of seating.
Inner North
- The Standard Hotel – Big beer garden, screens, and a fun family crowd.
- The Rose Fitzroy – A local favourite known for its lively front bar, get down early to one of the busiest spots on Grand Final day.
Coburg
- Post Office Hotel – Great food, craft beer and a lively Grand Final day crowd.
- The Woodlands Hotel – Quirky vibe, but with a family-friendly dining space as well.
Pascoe Vale
- Pascoe Vale Hotel – Spacious sports bar plus a family bistro; a local favourite.
- Hotel Railway – Renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and multiple screens for watching the footy!
Croydon
- The Dorset Gardens Hotel – Huge venue with screens everywhere and family dining.
- The Public Brewery – Great craft beer for adults, casual meals and open spaces for families.
Heidelberg
- Old England Hotel – Classic Heidelberg pub with plenty of screens and a family-friendly bistro.
- Ivanhoe Hotel – Large dining spaces, pub classics, and good viewing options.
Keilor
- Keilor Hotel – Historic, family-friendly pub with plenty of match-day buzz.
- Keilor East RSL – A quieter, relaxed option with community spirit.
Lilydale
- The Crown Hotel Lilydale – Sports bar action plus a family dining area.
- Lilydale International Hotel – Spacious and family-friendly, with all the footy action.
Yarra Valley
- Matilda Bay Brewery – Craft beers for the grown-ups, open spaces that welcome families.
- Healesville Hotel – Traditional country pub with hearty meals and a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.
Manningham
- Doncaster Hotel – Spacious pub with a buzzing sports bar and a bistro for families.
- Templestowe Hotel – Multiple bars, kids’ play areas, and screens throughout.
