The Drunken Poet

Pub · West Melbourne

The Drunken Poet

Pub · West Melbourne

1

65 Peel St, West Melbourne VIC 3003, Australia

Photos

The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null
The Drunken Poet by null

Highlights

Irish music, poetry, Guinness & trivia in a snug pub  

Placeholder
Placeholder

65 Peel St, West Melbourne VIC 3003, Australia Get directions

thedrunkenpoet.com.au
@drunkenpoetmusic

A$20–40 · Menu

Information

Static Map

65 Peel St, West Melbourne VIC 3003, Australia Get directions

+61 3 9348 9797
thedrunkenpoet.com.au
@drunkenpoetmusic
𝕏
@thedrunkenpoet1

A$20–40 · Menu

Features

wifi
payment credit card
Tap to pay
reservations

Last updated

Aug 29, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@eater

Melbourne’s Best Pubs Are What America Needs Right Now | Eater

"A genuine Irish-style shebeen notable for serving a properly poured pint of the black stuff by an Irish bartender in an atmosphere that truly evokes the back streets of Dublin rather than a themed imitation." - Lesley Suter

https://www.eater.com/2019/10/23/20916504/best-melbourne-pubs-family-friendly
View Postcard for The Drunken Poet

Carl Bronkhorst

Google
TDP, great place for a pint of Guinness. On a ride past the poet, Harry and I were lured in by the Irish charm. We had to end out ride here, as it will be for future rides to come. I often drive past the place, and it's pumping. It's on the list come come back and enjoy some of its many gigs and grrat hospitality.

Paula Phillips

Google
Great venue to see a band, Tuesday night is a tribute night, so good. Great atmosphere, super busy for a Tuesday, reasonably priced drinks, good service.

Leah Wheeler

Google
Great little pub with an awesome vibe. We came on an Open Mic night. Got to hear a few musicians play a few songs each, a comedian, and a poet! Had a lovely toastie and bag of chips. Just what you need to accompany some drinks!

Stephanie S

Google
7.5/10 (pretty good for aus standards) guinness !!! recommend for live music and vibes !

Donal Evans

Google
Great pub with a lively atmosphere, great drinks and friendly service. One of the better pints of Guinness I’ve had in Australia. Definitely worth a visit

raheem mir

Google
I love The Drunken Poet! I live nearby and it’s my go to spot amazing culture, female-owned, and the staff are always so friendly and welcoming. My friends even come up from South Yarra once a month just to enjoy the Guinness and Carlton. Highly recommend!

Jasmine Clarke

Google
Love the drunken poet, used to be my local when I lived in the city. Great atmosphere, especially when there’s music playing. Not a Guinness drinker myself but my Irish partner says the Guinness from here is up there with the best in Melbourne. Always a treat when mega meanies are in stock.

Jye Guy

Google
Great spot for a couple of pints, good music, and good conversation. The bar staff are very nice as well, and the general aesthetic is really cool !
google avatar

Michael A.

Yelp
A must stop hole in the wall pub great service great Guinness First time in Melbourne an ill be recommending this place to everyone
google avatar

Elise W.

Yelp
This is the best Irish pub in Melbourne and it's all down to Siobhan. I don't know how she does it but she remembers everyone and even though she seem to always be working she's always friendly and happy. Of course keeping the Guinness at the best standard you can get in Australia is a plus! Although I don't think it is drinkable outside Ireland/England but that's a whole other subject. There is live music too. The only food is simple toasted cheese sandwiches which are just awesome. There's usually two tables out front on the street which are generally communal.
google avatar

Liz O.

Yelp
LOVE! I loves me an Irish Pub. This small pub opposite of the Vic Market is a great place to grab a pint. No pub fare here though, all booze and a $5 toastie if you're starving! The bartenders are friendly, the place isn't kitchy and it has that good old fashioned Irish charm!
google avatar

Derek P.

Yelp
I love this place. Whenever I am in Melbourne I find my way there for excellent music. It is a proper local so don't expect anything flashy but good beers and always friendly staff make for a good afternoon.
google avatar

Monique J.

Yelp
I really liked that this little place had no tellie nor pokie machines. The music was old school with your choice from a juke box also available. A rather old pub that is very welcoming even if you are the only people there. If you are not into talking to your mates then try your hand at a game of ring toss on the wall.
google avatar

John T.

Yelp
Right across the street from the Vic market is a traditional Irish pub with a slogan something like "no shamrocks, no leprechauns" and something else, not sure. If the idea of going to an irish pub makes you want to clothe yourself in orange, you might want to give this place a try. It is not the kind of place that has given irish pub's a bad name, it is the kind of place that inspired people to hijack the concept of an irish pub to horrible effect. Anyway, I appreciate a decent pub Irish or otherwise that doesn't have TVs, has good service behind the bar, and is swimming in good woodwork and history. The walls are lined with pictures of famous Irish luminaries (Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, etc.) and there is often live music. Good beer and good prices, with a good selection of whiskey. They don't have much in the way of food but they do claim to have good "toasted sandwiches." Not totally confident about what those are exactly, but I suspect they are what they sound like. Worth a visit. Their website is also pretty good and has a list of upcoming events http://www.thedrunkenpoet.com.au/home. Last time I was there a pretty good band was playing and it looks like there is
google avatar

Suzanne Y.

Yelp
Ventured out here the first time for St Pat's day with my cousin. I'll admit I'd never heard of it before and I don't tend to get up to the top of the Vic Market very often so unlikely I would have found it without being told. But boy am I glad I found it. It's perfect to sit and unwind with a pint (for me cider as I haven't gotten into the whole beer thing yet, though I did try some Guinness). We arrived at about 4:30 straight from work - not too crowded and plenty of comfy seats in the back to choose from. After the first pint we ordered a couple of ham 'n' cheese toasted sandwiches YUM! Simple fare but oh so good. Later on they had a live band and it was great to hear some favourite standard Irish songs. A few more pints and sandwiches later we happily poured ourselves home at about 10:00. Since then I've been back when waiting to catch up with friends. I like that it's not too crowded but it's homey. Plus it's easy to walk to from flagstaff station.
google avatar

Rachel S.

Yelp
This is a damn cool pub right behind the Vic Market. You can't walk past it on the weekends without hearing live music right at the entrance and a bunch of people sitting at one of the tables outside. It's a decent sized pub, not too large but big enough to hold a rowdy bunch. More often than not you'll find a place to sit down. It gets super loud when there's live music but that's all part of the fun, isn't it? They also make cheese toasties for anyone who has late night munchies. Beer, music, friends and grilled cheese? Count me in!
google avatar

Lara O.

Yelp
Beautiful little spot next to Vic market! Understated and classy, with gorgeous portraits of Irish poets. I sought this place out after reading an article on the top ten Irish pubs worldwide not in Ireland! The bartender was so nice, gave us some tips on food in the area. Delicious pint on the patio apparently Wednesday nights is women wine and whisky with live music!
google avatar

David S.

Yelp
There are two things that I really like about this place: the name, and the painting of James Joyce on the far wall. If this were the only two things about this place then it would still get the thumbs up. Okay, I've only been here on a Friday night, which means it gets uber crowded, however for some reason nobody ever takes the seats at the back, which means that I have my nice little dark corner where I can sit and just let the ambience roll over me. I also just have to mention the guys toilets - it is covered in pages from a comic book, so you actually have your reading material plastered on the wall.
google avatar

Steven V.

Yelp
Really cool, old school type pub/bar. Came here randomly and had a great time drinking pints, playing songs from the jukebox and listening to a live music act at one point. I'd return.
google avatar

Jordan B.

Yelp
This is not even in the top 25 Irish Pubs I have been to in the world. Around 10 total beer selections. Chips were stale and no food. We've been to over 30 countries all over the world (Europe, Asia, USA, S. America) and always try to find a great Irish pub to drink at. This is not it. In fact, I feel a 1* is a gift.
google avatar

Gerry W.

Yelp
You'll probably be at the Vic Market if you visit Melbourne and if you want a good pint and a real relaxed irish Pub, this is your place. Good music, at least when we were there listening to the alt-folk-rock-quirky Lily and King. Highly recommended