It’s not every day that a pub closure feels like a citywide heartbreak. But when The Quiet Man Pub in Flemington poured its last Guinness on St. Patrick’s Day 2025, the farewell was personal for thousands of people.
We’d been there ourselves more times than we can count – sometimes chasing live music, sometimes chasing comfort food, sometimes just chasing company. Losing it was like losing a living room we all happened to share.
The good news? Melbourne still has a thriving Irish pub scene. It’s different now, yes. But the craic isn’t gone – you just have to know where to look.
“The Iconic Melbourne Irish Pub Is Closing”
The Quiet Man opened its doors back in the late 1990s, right on Racecourse Road. For years, it was one of those places that didn’t need marketing. People found it through word of mouth, through friends of friends, or by stumbling in during one of the huge St. Patrick’s Day parties.
The building itself was nothing fancy from the outside. Inside, though, it was all timber panelling, Irish flags, and that warm, low light you can’t fake. There was always chatter, always someone tuning a fiddle, and always at least one person waving at you even if you weren’t sure, you knew them.
When news broke that this iconic Irish restaurant would be shutting, one regular summed it up perfectly in a Google review: “Best Guinness in Melbourne. A home away from home. I don’t know where we’ll go now.”
Food and Drinks
The Quiet Man Pub menu was built around comfort. The Beef & Guinness Pie was the star for many, while others swore by the Chicken Parma with its Irish twist or the traditional Irish Stew. Bangers and mash were another dish regulars often mentioned, especially during winter.
Behind the bar, Guinness and Kilkenny were staples, poured with care and praised as some of the best in Melbourne. Whiskey drinkers also had their favourites, with Irish and local bottles lined up for anyone who wanted to linger after a meal.
Events and Music
Food and drink were only part of the story. The Quiet Man pub became a meeting place thanks to its regular events. Live music filled the pub most weekends, with Irish folk groups and singer-songwriters creating the kind of atmosphere that encouraged sing-alongs. Galway Rovers, Madigan’s Wake and other bands built loyal followings here.
St. Patrick’s Day was legendary. Crowds spilled outside, fiddles and pipes played into the night, and the pub turned into a sea of green. Beyond the big days, it also supported charity fundraisers and community gatherings, giving it a role that stretched beyond being just another spot to drink.
What Visitors Will Miss Most
Everyone had their favourite piece of The Quiet Man. For us, it was the live bands. Galway Rovers could pack the room in ways that felt almost dangerous – sweaty, crowded, but electric. Others loved the food: the Beef & Guinness Pie in particular comes up in almost every old review.
Here’s what people were saying before it closed:
“Best Guinness in Melbourne, hands down. I’ve tried everywhere else, but nothing came close to the pour here.” – Liam, local guide
“The place just felt cosy and welcoming. Walk through the door and it was like being back home in Ireland without the airfare.” – Siobhán, Irish expat
“Friday nights with the fiddle and banjo were unbeatable. You couldn’t sit still – the whole room moved with the music.” – Chris, long-time customer
“You could walk in not knowing anyone and leave with a table of friends. That was the magic of The Quiet Man.” – Paul, from Kilkenny
“I’ll miss the pub grub as much as the atmosphere. The pie and stew were staples, and it just felt like comfort food you couldn’t get anywhere else.” – Gabrielle, regular diner
Where to Go for a Pint Now
So, what do you do when your favourite Irish pub in Melbourne is gone? Here are the ones worth your time:
The Irish Times Pub
Walking into The Irish Times on Little Collins Street feels like stepping straight into Dublin. The décor is heavy on dark wood and brass, the pints are poured with care, and the screens show every big sporting event.
The Steak & Guinness Pie is the star of the kitchen, though their fish and chips is almost as popular. After-work crowds love it, and if you come on a Friday night, be prepared to squeeze in – it gets busy.
Address: 427 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Hours: Mon–Sat 12pm–late, Sun closed
PJ O’Brien’s Irish Pub
If The Quiet Man felt like a neighbourhood living room, PJ O’Brien’s feels like the whole block’s party. It’s bigger, louder, and built for both locals and tourists.
The food is hearty (their Guinness pie is excellent, and the ribs are a surprise standout), but the drinks are what set it apart: more than 160 whiskies on the shelf, plus Guinness and Kilkenny on tap.
Live music runs most nights, and on St. Patrick’s Day, it’s one of the busiest venues in Melbourne.
Address: Southgate, 3 Southgate Ave, Southbank VIC 3006
Hours: Mon–Thu 12pm–late, Fri–Sat 11am–late, Sun 11am–11pm
The Drunken Poet
Over in West Melbourne sits The Drunken Poet, a tiny spot that consistently ranks among the best Irish pubs in Melbourne.
There’s no TV, which feels refreshing. Instead, there are portraits of Irish poets, a small but thoughtful drinks list, and live music six nights a week. The menu is light – think toasted sandwiches and Taytos – but the Guinness is arguably the best pour in town.
One regular told us, “It’s the only place I’ve found that feels as authentic as the pubs back home.”
Address: 65 Peel St, West Melbourne VIC 3003
Hours: Mon–Sat 3pm–1am, Sun 3pm–11pm
The Sherlock Holmes Inn
Strictly speaking, The Sherlock Holmes Inn isn’t an Irish pub – it’s modelled on a London-style tavern. But it’s impossible to leave it out.
Hidden under Collins Street, you head down narrow stairs into a low-ceilinged, timber-heavy basement. There are 19 beers on tap, including Guinness and Old Speckled Hen, and the menu is classic pub comfort: parmas, steak sandwiches, bangers and mash.
Trivia Tuesdays have been running for nearly two decades, and during the Ashes, it’s one of the most atmospheric places to watch cricket.
Address: 415–417 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Hours: Mon–Fri 11:30am–late, Sat 12pm–late, Sun closed
People Ask Us a Lot…
Which pub pours the best Guinness now?
The Drunken Poet gets the nod from many regulars – the pour is creamy, steady, and closest to what people remember from The Quiet Man. The Irish Times also has a reputation for consistency.
Where’s best for live music?
PJ O’Brien’s is the choice if you like it big, loud, and full of energy. The Drunken Poet is the opposite – intimate, often acoustic, and so close you can see every fiddle string move.
Which pub is best for watching sport?
The Irish Times has screens everywhere, and during big games, the atmosphere is hard to beat. Sherlock Holmes Inn also becomes electric during cricket season, especially the Ashes.
Where should you go for food as well as drinks?
If you want hearty meals, PJ O’Brien’s and The Irish Times both serve full Irish pub menus – think pies, steaks, and fish and chips. The Drunken Poet keeps it simple, with toasties and Taytos, but people don’t go there for the kitchen.
Which one feels most like a traditional Irish public house?
Most people would say The Drunken Poet. No TVs, portraits of poets, and the Irish bar in Melbourne that encourages conversation over distraction.