Great pubs to check out across Melbourne's eastern suburbs

Going to the pub is one of the great Australian pastimes, up there with getting swooped by magpies and hearing about interest rate rises (even if you don’t know what that means). Thankfully, here in Melbourne's eastern suburbs we're blessed with many pubs worth paying a visit to. 

Obviously, the eastern suburbs is flooded with pubs, bars, and places to eat. Here at the Eastern Melburnian, we know everyone’s got an opinion about the best pub near them. So we’ll add to this list regularly as we get more and more intel, making sure you never miss out on a great time.

The Knox Club, Wantirna

Half a century old and still going strong, The Knox Club in Wantirna has undergone something of a transformation in recent years. What was once a dated venue has been reborn as a modern, inviting space. The renovation has created distinct areas for different purposes, from casual drinks to more formal dining, without losing the community focus that's always been the Club's strength.

Manhattan Hotel, Ringwood

The Manhattan is a Ringwood icon. It's been pouring beers for decades and is just about the perfect spot for any occasion — from functions of hundreds of people to a quiet couple of pots followed by letting loose at the “Feast” buffet. That's right, all-you-can-eat is alive and well in Ringwood, and we're all the better for it. 

The Bungalow Beer Garden, Ringwood

Ascend to The Bungalow's rooftop and you might forget you're in suburban Melbourne. With palm trees swaying in the gentle breeze and tropical-themed cocktails flowing, it's a mini island getaway without the expensive airfare. 

Do yourself a favour and visit on the weekend for the bottomless brunch. For $75 you'll get two uninterrupted hours of free-flowing mimosas, cocktails, spritz, or a selection of tap beers. Sessions run every Saturday and Sunday from 1:30pm–3:30pm.

The Burvale Hotel, Nunawading

For those seeking a more traditional pub experience, The Burvale Hotel in Nunawading delivers in spades. It's refreshingly unpretentious, it's got plenty of pool tables, and spacious shaded outdoor areas — so everything you'd want in a pub, really.

The Brew Bar offers plenty for those who want to explore pints of all ilks, while the food on offer at the Family Bistro sticks to the classics, done well. It's standard pub food, but the servings are generous. Try the parma, it's a crowd favourite.

The Notting Hill Hotel (The Nott), Notting Hill

The Notting Hill Hotel, affectionately known as The Nott, has been around since 1870, and it wears its history proudly. One of the area's oldest pubs, it's managed to evolve with the times without losing its character. The sprawling beer garden is a major draw, with The Nott themselves proclaiming it as “quite possibly Melbourne's biggest & best beer garden”.

The Nott is the perfect place to head if you're after a spot of live entertainment with your pint, as it regularly plays host to live music and comedy. You'll find summer sessions in the beer garden on most weekends and ticketed events throughout the year.

The Village Green Hotel, Mulgrave

The Village Green Hotel is simply massive. There is a spot for you no matter what vibe you seek. Hungry? Good news — the “Feast” buffet here rivals The Manhattan's in its scope, while the Central Bar & Grill offers a more traditional dining experience with a reputation for quality steaks.

Despite its size, The Village Green manages to maintain a sense of community. It's where you head to celebrate milestones, watch the game, or just catch up over a pint. If you're after a little more action, you can catch a live show, with local and international acts gracing the stage, depending on the night. There's even regular club nights, if that's more your vibe. Pick your poison.

Micawber Tavern, Belgrave

Hidden amongst the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, Micawber Tavern is the kind of place you almost don't want to talk about, lest it become too popular. Surrounded by lush old growth forest, ferns, and the gentle trickle of Clematis Creek, the beer garden here is a slice of proper paradise. 

Inside, the century-old tavern exudes real earned rustic charm, while the kitchen punches above its weight, turning out dishes that wouldn't be out of place in more upscale venues. Make sure you pop in for the Oktoberfest celebrations, or come in any time of year for regular live music.

Dorset Gardens Hotel, Croydon

We couldn’t pass up one of the most important eastern suburbs shoutouts in Australian music history. Croydon’s iconic Dorset Gardens Hotel will forever be immortalised in Australian Crawl’s 1980 hit ‘The Boys Light Up’ - featuring the line ‘The garden it is dorsetted’.

The hotel has gone through a number of touch-ups and renovations since the 80s, but it is still as iconic as ever featuring a bistro and a sports bar. For those wanting to kick on, there is also the equally iconic Dorset Gardens nightclub, spinning DJ tracks into the early hours.

The Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully

Rounding out our tour is the Ferntree Gully Hotel, also perched at the foothills of the Dandenongs. It's a pub that serves as a bridge between suburban Melbourne and the green beyond, reflected in a clientele that ranges from locals and visitors fresh off the nearby trails.

A recent refurbishment has given the Ferntree Gully Hotel a welcome update, but thankfully without sanitising its character. The sports bar still pulses with energy during big games, while the “Feast” offers a reliable buffet option (that's right, no matter where you turn, you are never far from The Feast). If you happen to be visiting the Puffing Billy or testing what you're made of at the 1000 Steps, the Ferntree Gully Hotel is a grand bet for the perfect spot to wind down the day.

Of course, there’s plenty of other great spots to grab a bite or a few drinks across the eastern suburbs. We might even add to this in the future.

For now, though, we’ll just see you at the pub.