6 of the Best Kid-Friendly Pubs with Heated Beer Gardens in Melbourne

Ah Melbourne, the land of City Winter Magic, where your May-September outings need not leave you frozen solid!

We specialise in heating outdoor spaces and beer gardens are no exception - in fact, they're almost the gold standard in How to Outdoor Winter. Read on for our kid-friendly favourites!

The Windsor Castle Hotel

Lime green exteriors and pink elephants already help the Windsor Castle, just off Chapel Street, to stand out, but their multicoloured, leafy beer garden helps!

The food is good, the outdoor space feels like a tropical location even when it's 10 degrees out, and the vibe is high. 

Grab a local beer or cider, a plate of something good (may we recommend the marinated artichoke pizza) and get the kids a little winter fresh air.

What you need to know

Find it: 89 Albert St, Windsor (cnr Albert and Upton Sts)

More info: windsorcastle.com.au

The Brunswick Green

A Brunswick Stalwart, you'll enjoy the huge space and the kids will enjoy the boardgames. Plenty of room to spread out and the decor is exceptionally Brunswick, with kitchy paintings and paisley cushions. Snuggle up around the fireplaces or under the blazing heaters and have yourself a time. 

Stay for dinner - you can order in from anyof the surrounding Sydney Road restaurants and they'll bring it to the bar for you, or there's bar snacks all day.

What you need to know

Find it: 313 Sydney Rd, Brunswick

More info: thebrunswickgreen.com

Pilgrim Bar

With a sprawling Yarra River-side beer garden, Pilgrim in the heart of the CBD is a great spot to pull up a heated outdoor seat and have a glass of something delicious while the kids play.

The whole bar is very vineyard-to-glass, paddock-to-plate centred, with a menu straight out of a high-end restaurant, but served pub-style super-relaxed surroundings. 

What you need to know

Find it: Vaults 15-19 Federation Wharf, Federation Square, Melbourne

More info: pilgrimbar.com.au

The Boatbuilder's Yard

And just across the CBD is the Boatbuilder's, with it's super-duper brand new all-weather outdoor space, chock-full of toasty ceiling heaters and adjustable blinds to keep the warmth in.

Did we mention it's big? Huge! Plenty of room for a pram or two, and to spread out without feeling like you're taking over the whole joint. And you can't beat the view!

What you need to know

Find it: 23 South Wharf Promenade, Melbourne

More info: theboatbuildersyard.com.au

Edinburgh Castle Hotel

The EC is another Brunswick Parent favourite, with consistently dependable good times and child-friendliness (and dog-friendliness too, should you want to take Spot along!).

The heating is spectacular with both heaters and wood fires, and the kid's menu is solid. Panko calamari, margarita pizza, soda-battered fish, napoli pasta and house-crumbed chicken tenderloin is topped off with vanilla ice cream and topping - choose from dairy or soy versions. It's a top spot all round!

What you need to know

Find it: 681 Sydney Rd, Brunswick

More info: edinburghcastle.net.au

Buck Mulligan's

The perfect place to huddle up in a leafy outdoor courtyard for a pint or whiskey on a chilly day (but not before you've browsed the bookshelves of this Irish pub/bookshop/cafe hybrid). The cosiness here is about an 11/10.

The shelves are filled with a curated collection of the best in Irish literature - poems, novels, plays, classics and contemporary -  in the tradition of the great Kenny's Bookshop of Galway. They also have a fanatstic selection of offerings from local writers, and a proper Irish bar snack menu with an Aussie twist.

What you need to know

Find it: 217 High St, Northcote

More info: buckmulligans.com.au

More Melbourne Eats/Drinks

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