Great Northern Hotel, Carlton
24 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/melbourne28 comments cited below
What people say, in short
Most people recommend the Great Northern Hotel in Carlton, and a few patrons praise its food, beers and beer garden. A couple of people describe it as a Freo pub, and one patron warns it can be packed out on match days. Caveats: one patron finds it less relaxed than the Rose in Fitzroy and says people who dislike AFL may not enjoy the usual footy crowds, and another finds the indoor areas less appealing than the beer garden.
Address
Great Northern Hotel, 644 Rathdowne St, Carlton North VIC 3054, Australia
At a glance
- Best for
- Food, Groups
- Known for
- Beer garden, Tap beers
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/bloodrule in r/melbourne · Jun 2026
Describes it as a fantastic footy spot with a strong beer list, and notes it is a Freo pub.
- Recommendsu/Overall_One_2595 in r/melbourne · Dec 2023
Named among recent finds they recommend.
- Recommendsu/mcmeth_ in r/melbourne · Jun 2026
Agrees with the Great Northern pick.
- Recommendsu/Bugsy_McCracken in r/melbourne · Jul 2024
Suggests Great Northern in answer to the request, with no further comment.
- Recommendsu/aCorgiDriver in r/melbourne · Oct 2025
Says to add it to the pub list, which would make the list complete.
- Caveatu/Eastern-Yam5795 in r/melbourne · Sep 2026wait time
Described as a Freo-leaning pub that may be packed out on the day.
- Mixedu/taotau in r/melbourne · Jun 2025ambience
Says the crowd can sometimes lean toward one particular group.
- Recommendsu/Hairy___Poppins in r/melbourne · Jun 2024ambience
Names it among four relaxed, dog-friendly pubs in the inner north.
Show all 28 cited comments
- Mixedu/FredMacDoogle in r/melbourne · Jun 2025ambience
Says they like it, though it feels less relaxed than the Rose.
- Recommendsu/cheesesandsneezes in r/melbourne · Jun 2026
Suggests this pub on Rathdowne as a place that will be showing the match.
- Recommendsu/Langdon_Olger in r/melbourne · Jun 2026
Says the Great Northern is the best bet, agreeing with the earlier pick.
- Recommendsu/mreddieoz in r/melbourne · Feb 2026
Suggests this pub in reply to the request.
- Recommendsu/sierra-juliet in r/melbourne · Aug 2024ambience
Names it as a Carlton North local with soul worth backing.
- Recommendsu/stinx2001 in r/melbourne · Jun 2026
Calls the Great Northern the best option, praising its beers, beer garden and food.
- Recommendsu/Dramatic_Grape5445 in r/melbourne · Nov 2024
Thinks this venue has a hand pump, though it hedges that it isn't fully certain.
- Recommendsu/YentaMecci in r/melbourne · Jun 2026
Praises its food, beers and beer garden, and calls it a great pub for Western Australians in Melbourne.
- Recommendsu/Justan0therthrow4way in r/melbourne · Jun 2026
Adds a vote for the Great Northern, agreeing with the pick above.
- Recommendsu/GoodboyLevi in r/melbourne · Jun 2026
Agrees with others who named the Great Northern.
- Recommendsu/HowToMakeGravox in r/melbourne · Oct 2025
Gives a thumbs-up to the suggested additions to the pub list.
- Mixedu/VolcanoHunter15 in r/melbourne · Feb 2026ambience
Seconds the earlier pick; likes the food and beer garden, but finds the indoor areas less appealing.
- Recommendsu/Havinacrack in r/melbourne · Jun 2026ambience
Recommends it and suggests reserving a booth with outdoor heating.
- Recommendsu/Economy_Alps_7772 in r/melbourne · Nov 2024
Says it serves a hand-pumped beer, though they forgot the beer's name.
- Recommendsu/TheMeadow in r/melbourne · Feb 2026
Says this is the best pub.
- Recommendsu/BigFella52 in r/melbourne · Jun 2026
Simply echoes the Great Northern recommendation made above.
- Recommendsu/flatvinnie in r/melbourne · May 2026ambience
Lists it among north-of-city pubs with young, lively crowds on Saturday nights.
- Recommendsu/Groundbreaking-Front in r/melbourne · Jan 2026ambience
Suggests it, but only if its air conditioning is working.
- Recommendsu/DancinWithWolves in r/melbourne · Jun 2026
Lists it among inner-city pubs that suit watching a game.
- Recommendsu/Baaastet in r/melbourne · Jul 2024
Agrees with the Great Northern suggestion, endorsing it as the right choice.
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Freshness
Details last checked 10 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.