Are you looking for a bar hopping good night to wake you from your Winter hibernation? Then look no further than Fabulous Footscray!
With an eclectic mix of family run old school pubs and a dash of modern hipster bar charm, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better list of venues to visit with your mates.
The only downfall will be trying to squeeze them all in! Check out our top picks for a fab night out on the town.
If you are out and about, try the mobile friendly version of this list.
Hop Nation Brewery
6, 107-109 Whitehall Street, Footscray.
Tucked away in a semi-industrial Street in Footscray, this craft brewery is independently owned and operated by former wine makers and best friends Sam and Duncan. Jumping the fence from wine to beer was a good call for these mates as their top brews have a cult following in and around town. Grab a few friends for an early start to your pub crawl and try their three signature brews whilst touring the brew house which was formerly a soap, candle and ammunitions factory. Kids of the two and four legged variety are also welcome making this the perfect weekend family outing!
Back Alley Sally’s
4 Yewers Street, Footscray.
Hidden down a laneway a short skip and a hop from Footscray station is Back Alley Sally’s. This stylish bar has embraced it’s gritty industrial setting inside an old t-shirt printing factory, and has a friendly vibe that welcomes in a broad mix of patrons with one common goal in mind….to have a good time.
On weekends the laneway is closed off which provides more space to spread out and soak up the ‘Footscray’ vibes. With a solid lineup of taps, cocktails and tasty food the team at Sally’s are waiting to make you welcome.
Lickety Split
38-40 Moreland Street
Just around the corner from Back Alley Sally’s, is it’s little sister, Lickety Split. This super chilled bar and beer garden looks like it has been assembled out of spare parts and what ever was lying around at the time, and therein lies it’s charm. A couple of shipping containers whacked together to make the bar, and a diverse assortment of chairs, tables and planter boxes mean no two nights out at Lickety Split will be the same.
With a great selection of beers on tap and friendly staff ready to mix up your cocktail requests, Lickety Split is great either for a cheeky afternoon session with your friends, or as a place to get your night started with a bite to eat.
Littlefoot Bar & Kitchen
223 Barkly Street, Footscray
Paying homage to their multicultural surrounds with Viet-inspired cocktails and wholesome Italian food, Littlefoot is owned and operated by well-known and much loved locals Stuart and Liana Lucca-Pope.
With a formidable drink list, an ultra cool dj spinning tracks and a welcoming and hip aesthetic, Littlefoot has become a relaxed and popular go-to in the heart of Footscray. Bring on the warmer weather and a quaint little court yard will bring your social setting to life. Equally impressive is the indoor décor for a cosy night drinking cocktails or beer or spirits or.. You get the drift.
The Cheeky Pint
231 Barkly Street Footscray
A perfect example of the changing face of Footscray, The Cheeky Pint has become a popular drinking hole for locals, with a large selection of local and international beers on tap.
Matching beer to their dinner menu is their shtick and the selection of upmarket pub food teamed with traditional offerings such as chicken parma keeps the locals coming back for more.
With glimpses of the old Barkly hotel present with high ceilings and architraves on show, The cheeky pint gives a nod to the old Footscray whilst embracing and revelling in the new Footscray.
Bar Thyme
227 Barkly Street Footscray
This upper crust wine bar is just what the doctor ordered for Footscray; fresh, lively and oh so fancy!
Bar Thyme prides itself on sustainability practices with small scale food and wine production and low waste models. With a deliberate focus on having regional suppliers and a menu to rival those found in Melbourne CBD, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve left the burbs for a memorable night out.
Their perfectly curated meals with an equally striking drinks list will help you find a little piece of heaven smack bang in the middle of Footscray.
Mr West
106 Nicholson Street Footscray
Cheers to the old school hospitality at Mr West! Super welcoming and friendly owners Caleb and Josh know a thing or two about walking the walk and delivering an impressive selection of beers on taps, cocktails and just about every drink request you can throw at them.
If you’re feeling a bit peckish you can order a delish charcuterie board to share but Caleb and Josh are happy for you to order from one of the fabulous eateries in Footscray to have delivered to the bar whilst you drink the night away.
Not only can you sit and enjoy a drink or two, but the take home selection of beer, wine and spirits will knock your socks off.
The Victoria Hotel
43 Victoria Street Footscray
If it’s old school retro cool you’re after, The Victoria Hotel is the place to be.
Nestled on the border of Footscray and Seddon, this family friendly and relaxed little nugget is polished gold. With classics like beer on tap, Sunday roast and parma nights, this vintage beauty is steeped in history, being one of the first watering holes for rail workers back in the day.
The beer garden and booth seating will have you reminiscing about Ye old Footscray because, you know, what’s old is new again.
Hotel Westwood
28 Napier Street Footscray
If live music is your jam, you can’t go past Hotel Westwood.
This newly renovated pub brings the crème de la crème of local music to your doorstep and has cemented itself as one of the top live music venues in Melbourne, showcasing the very best in rock, jazz and everything in between.
Saturday Drag Brunches brings light and laughter with drag bingo, trivia nights and performances to entertain you.
A small Mexican cantina will keep your hunger at bay and traditional bar drinks will keep you well-oiled as you dance or head bang the night away.
Baby Snakes Footscray
30 Chambers Street (Off Nicholson Street Mall) Footscray
Lo and behold, a hidden bar in Footscray; not just any bar, a sundrenched bar that leads to a rooftop courtyard in the heart of mighty Footscray.
As you slither your way up the colourful staircase, you will be set free on a whimsical journey where you can get your drink and dance on whilst you leave your inhibitions at home.
Your selfie game will be strong with lots of background magic, greenery and light filled spaces to snap away in front of.
Pride of Our Footscray
86-88 Hopkins Street Footscray
Dahhhlings, do we have a venue for you!
If fun and frivolity is your thang, then you cannot, I repeat, you CAN NOT go past Pride of our Footscray.
This colourful little venue will warm the cockles of your heart as will the inclusive vibe and friendly staff who will welcome you with open arms. The interior is super retro – think 1980’s groove, which adds to the charm of the delightful offerings at Pride.
You’ll laugh til you cry with drag bingo- a must to share with a group of friends, or maybe it’s the pop up Pinot and Picasso that will tickle your fancy. Big hair, don’t care; a cheeky drink or cabaret show will stoke the fires of your soul but whatever your taste, the glittering disco ball will reel you in and give you a night out to remember.
Sloth Bar
202 Barkly Street Footscray
The ambience at Sloth Bar is one to behold; Urban, arty and fantastically charismatic.
There are lots of cosy nooks and crannies to peruse and the bar – Indoor, outdoor, balconies and lounges, you can choose your own adventure as you devour a cocktail or two and take in the sights, sounds and mood of the bar.
Whilst there isn’t a kitchen on site, the bar encourages you to order in from one of the fabulous local eateries to soak up all the goodness the bar and DJ have to offer.
It’s the ultimate setting for a fun and relaxed drink with friends and a great after work hangout with colleagues and companions. Perhaps best of all, an awesome outing if you swipe right!
Kindred Studios
3 Harris Street Footscray
Tucked away in an industrial side street in Yarraville is this multipurpose hub which holds a variety of eclectic and diverse musical and artsy offerings to appease the already cultured and lots of exciting things to capture the attention of those late to the party.
Adding to the rich art scene tapestry of the west, Kindred studios offers a number of classes and workshops in many genre’s and also hire spaces for theatre, music rehearsal, co-working spaces and yoga and dance classes.
An excellent band stage and bar will give locals a good weeknight out with local performers doing their thing, and the site café makes a great pre-park date location for lunch with the littlies.
There’s so much to see and experience at Kindred Studios, take a walk on the wild side and see for yourself.
Jambo Bar & Cafe
195 Barkly Street Footscray
Foodies rejoice – here’s a café and bar with tasty, affordable food and drinks and efficient and warm customer service to boot. By day it’s a casual affair but by the weekend you’ll be lulled by the sounds of African jazz, whilst you sink a few drinks and dance the night away.
Blink and you’ll miss this bar but once you’ve spotted it, there’s no turning back- the epitome of Footscray in one little venue, Jambo Café and Bar will transport you to Ethiopia in as short as a lunch break.
You will embrace the cultural journey as it seeps into your soul like a warm and toasty hug but it doesn’t end there- Jambo has spunk and the right amount of funk to offer. This unassuming location has developed a well-deserved reputation for being one of the best live music venues in the west. Go check it out for yourself.
Bar Josephine
295 Barkly Street, Footscray.
Bar Josephine is a grungy, local hang out where the warm and laid back vibe will set your Friday night free. Located within the hustle and bustle of inner Footscray, this welcoming bar with well-worn upcycled décor is inviting but casual enough to hang with your mates. If puppy pals are more your thing the dog friendly courtyard will set tails wagging but the best bit is the local craft beer will make you feel like a true westie at heart.
Lay Low Bar
Rear, 93 Buckley Street, Seddon.
With a hidden entrance and no signage in Middle Footscray (Seddon), you’d be forgiven for feeling a little shady on first approach to Lay Low Bar. The long dark corridor gives off cautious vibes but once you enter the space, the ambient surrounds of the modern long bar and light filled space whisks you off your feet and takes you on a New York style journey through Cocktailville. A bit urban but also a little fancy, the bar serves some of the finest available but with a local and neighbourly feel. Its clandestine locale adds to its charm as does the cocktail menu and local brews. Definitely one to dress up for.
Plough Hotel
333 Barkly Street, Footscray.
The good old (new) Plough Hotel has been a firm Footscray icon and a favourite local hang for many generations. With a new lease on life and a decent lick of paint, the Plough is now more up-tempo than old school swagger. It has the right amount of tradition to give you all the nostalgic feels of growing up in the hood with a more refined feel that comes with progressive Footscray.
With a family friendly bistro on one side and a quieter restaurant on the other, you can choose your own vibe as you tuck into some hearty pub food and some upper crust menu favourites that keep you coming back for more. A function space is available for all you party animals and a decent drinks menu will keep you merry well into the night.
Station Hotel
59 Napier Street, Footscray.
The Station Hotel has long been renowned as one of the best steak houses in Victoria and has a reputation for being a bit on the extravagant side, but under that posh little restaurant menu is a local heart that beats true with a warm and welcoming demeanour and plenty of options for your dining experience.
Express lunches in the bistro and courtyard is a firm favourite for local tradies and workers looking for somewhere nicer to dine and sink a few beers, without being overly pretentious. If something a bit fancy is what you’re after then the restaurant is the way to go, with fine dining at its, well, finest. The wine menu hosts a variety of regional and international fare and the food is quite literally sublime.
Half Naked Almost Famous
116a Hopkins Street, Footscray.
Who knew there’s a sports bar in the heart of Footscray?! Nestled between the famous Nhu Lan Bakery and other Vietnamese businesses along a busy Hopkins Street, Chip’s Loft is an upstairs haven for the sports lovers of our community.
If you’re wanting to watch the latest match or just hang out casually with a fun group of friends, Half Naked Almost Famous has the right feel for a relaxed and entertaining night out with your buddies. Completely unpretentious but with a tasty and colourful menu, you’d be just as likely to drop in for a meal as you would to watch the latest game or fight in unison with other Westernites in the area.
Story Credits: Rosie Sallemi, Maribyrnong City Council Image Credits: Rod Ceballos Photography
