Napier Hotel
Editorial
The clientele is probably the most mixed in all of Melbourne, embracing the egalitarian community vibe of Fitzroy: you'll hang with Gen-Y new media professionals, uni students, old men talking about the footy, arty Fitzroy types (yes, they're still here), mad poets, the odd politician, executive types, harmless nutters and local oddbods.
Beers on tap include Mountain Goat, Little Creatures, Coopers Red and Green, Carlton Draft and a well-poured Guinness for you stout lovers. A quality Australian wine list is chalked on the blackboard; I always order the Pinot Noir, no matter what the label because I know it'll always be good, but the Brown Magpie from Geelong is a favourite.
Fitzroy locals affectionately call The Napier 'the big food pub' - the servings are HUGE, with reasonable prices. There's a regular menu and ever-changing blackboard specials, but for me it's all about The Roo - generous chunks of Peppered Kangaroo Fillets with béarnaise sauce, shoestring fries and garden salad. I am constantly amazed at how incredibly tender it is, moreso than any beef I've had.
Happily this is a pub with no DJs, no bands, no loud music, and it doesn't need those newfangled distractions - it's just a great place to gather with friends for a beer and a meal. That being said, the music they do play has a wonderful eclecticism, ranging from mid-90's grunge, right through to random stuff, like the one memorable night I had in the front bar where I swear they played an entire Fleetwood Mac album (something like 20 songs), and it was great fun.
Meri Harli, March 2010
User Feedback
Laffers
July 11, 2007
This is hands down, hell it's PANTS down the best pub in Melbourne. All the best Aussie brews reside here on tap - Coopers, Little Creatures and Mountain Goat. The food is top notch, with generous servings and cheap prices. It's cosy in the winter with an open fire, and there's a quaint beer garden at the rear. The front bar is inviting and friendly, its walls adorned with all sorts of absorbing memorabilia. This is the king of the locals in Fitzroy - book ahead for a table during busy mealtimes.
Andrea Scott
December 03, 2007
My sister made a bet that my husband and I could not finish the Steak Sandwhich at the Napier.... She Won, it was the best Steak Sandwhich we had ever had that also had a huge salad and chips.. even had a potato cake in the steak sandwhich. FANTASTIC.
Andre Di Cioccio
July 13, 2010
This hotel has to definitely be the best in melbourne... food is great and everything's on tap.
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