Pubs in Fitzroy, Melbourne: the guide
Fitzroy's pubs run from heritage corner hotels in the back streets, like the Napier and the Rainbow, to the band rooms and rooftops of Brunswick Street. Every entry below was checked against the venue's own website this week.
The pubs, from the back streets to Brunswick Street
The Napier Hotel
A heritage corner pub at Napier and Moor streets that describes itself as equal parts neighbourhood pub, dining destination and cultural landmark. Open seven days.
210 Napier Street, Fitzroy · Venue site · Checked 3 October 2026
The Rainbow Hotel
Established in 1869, the Rainbow is a backstreet pub known for its beer selection, kitchen and live bands.
27 St David Street, Fitzroy · Venue site · Checked 3 October 2026
The Standard Hotel
A backstreet Fitzroy local on Fitzroy Street, off the main drags.
293 Fitzroy Street, Fitzroy · Venue site · Checked 3 October 2026
Union Club Hotel
A landmark corner pub tucked into the back streets at Gore and Webb streets, open from 3pm early in the week and from midday Wednesday to Sunday.
164 Gore Street, Fitzroy · Venue site · Checked 3 October 2026
Builders Arms Hotel
A Gertrude Street pub whose first stones were laid in 1853, now a public bar, bistro and private dining room. Open seven days, with the footy finals on and a monthly pub trivia night.
211 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy · Venue site · Checked 3 October 2026
Labour in Vain
A Brunswick Street pub with live music, one of the few pool tables left in Fitzroy, and a covered rooftop beer garden with city views, heated in winter and misted in summer. No kitchen: you are welcome to order in.
197A Brunswick Street, Fitzroy · Venue site · Checked 3 October 2026
The Provincial Hotel
A Brunswick Street pub with a rooftop bar, a happy hour, late nights, a steak night and a Monday trivia night.
299 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy · Venue site · Checked 3 October 2026
The Workers Club
A front bar with rock-solid pub food and a band room hosting local and touring acts most nights, plus a Tuesday front-bar pub quiz and a Wednesday comedy club.
51 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy · Venue site · Checked 3 October 2026
Old pubs in Fitzroy
Fitzroy is one of Melbourne's oldest suburbs, and several of its pubs say so on the door: the Builders Arms says its first stones were laid in 1853, and the Rainbow was established in 1869. Most of the back-street corner pubs date from the same Victorian building boom.
Common questions
What is the best pub in Fitzroy?
There is no single answer: the Napier for a heritage corner pub with dining, the Rainbow and Labour in Vain for live music, the Provincial for a rooftop, the Builders Arms on Gertrude Street for a bistro. Each entry above says what it does.
What's the oldest pub in Fitzroy?
Of the pubs in this guide, the Builders Arms dates its building to 1853 and the Rainbow to 1869. We have not verified a single oldest pub.
Which Fitzroy pubs have a rooftop or beer garden?
Labour in Vain has a covered rooftop beer garden, heated in winter and misted in summer; the Provincial has a rooftop bar. More in our beer garden guide.