Mini South Melbourne beer crawl: Three breweries and a bonus riverside pint
From small-batch brews to skyline views, here’s your perfect afternoon south of the CBD.
Just across the Yarra River from Melbourne’s CBD, South Melbourne offers a short-but-sweet beer crawl that’s perfect for travellers.
Hop on the 109 tram (or the 96) from the CBD, and in 10 minutes you’ll be in the heart of South Melbourne’s brewery scene. With three breweries just minutes apart on foot, this is a crawl you can cover in an afternoon—no rideshares required.
The Crawl
➡️ Getting there: Take the 109 tram from the CBD towards Port Melbourne and hop off at Montague St/Light Rail (near Woodgate Street Reserve). It’s a one minute walk to your first stop.
1. Westside Ale Works
📍 Alfred Street | Website
Seemingly hidden down the alley-like Alfred Street, you’ll know you’ve found Westside Ale Works when you spot the barrel painted like R2-D2 out front. Inside, it’s a big, welcoming space with a mix of indoor and outdoor seating—and an impressive 30 taps pouring both in-house brews and guest beers. Expect everything from crisp ales, hop-heavy IPAs, and juicy NEIPAs to decadent pastry stouts, boozy barleywines, and funky wild dark ales. The friendly bar staff are more than happy to guide you through a tasting paddle (or two), or pour you a pint of your new favourite. Food is a delicious blend of US West Coast and Melburnian influences, with pizzas sporting names like Portlandia, Cheeseless in Seattle, Mexicali, and San Fran.
Westside Ale Works is tucked away on Alfred Street, marked by a cheeky R2-D2 barrel out front.
➡️ Walk 10 minutes along City Road to get to your second stop.
2. Pirate Life South Melbourne
📍 Market Street | Website
Back when we first started logging beers on Untappd a decade ago, Pirate Life’s IIPA was a go-to. Thousands of brews later, it’s still a damn fine example of the style. Founded in Adelaide and later acquired by Anheuser-Busch InBev, Pirate Life has since expanded its reach—including this impressive South Melbourne outpost. On tap you’ll find their core range, from the signature IPA to a Red IPA and silky Nitro Stout, alongside seasonal releases you can only try at the brewery. The food menu leans into shareable bar snacks and street-food-inspired mains, with plenty of vegetarian-friendly picks like croquetas, pakora, and loaded flatbreads. It’s an ideal refuelling stop before your final leg.
Pirate Life South Melbourne brings the Adelaide-born brewery’s bold flavours to a slick South Melbourne taproom.
➡️ Walk 10 minutes along city road to get to your second stop.
3. Brewmanity Brewery & Rooftop
📍 Tope Street | Website
You might spot subtle nods to the building’s past life as a glass factory when you walk in—but what really hits you is the size. Spread over three levels, the ground floor houses a busy beer hall and working brewery, but you’ll want to head straight upstairs to the rooftop bar for striking views of the Melbourne CBD skyline (especially after dark). From your perch, sip on crisp lagers, hazy mids, hop-forward West Coasts, and seasonal one-offs. The bites menu includes solid vegetarian options, but let’s be honest—everything here plays second fiddle to that rooftop view. A good meetup spot, especially if you have non-beery friends.
A skyline worth toasting — Brewmanity’s rooftop serves craft beer with Melbourne city views.
BONUS STOP: Hopscotch Melbourne
📍 Riverside Quay, Southbank | Website
If you’ve still got room, and you’re heading back into the city, stop at Hopscotch Melbourne on the riverside for a final view-filled beer before calling it a day. With 20+ taps, including their own small-batch brews, it’s a lively way to finish the day — or better yet, go back there on a sunny weekend afternoon and watch the world go by.
Bonus stop: Hopscotch Melbourne, a lively riverside taphouse with prime Yarra views.
Practical tips
Best time to go: Afternoons or early evenings, especially if you want those rooftop sunset shots.
How long you’ll need: 2.5–4 hours, depending on how long you linger.
Transport back: Walk or tram back to the CBD—no rideshares needed.
Responsible drinking: Stick to tasting paddles if you want to pace yourself. Stay hydrated with plenty of water.
Need a hearty breakfast before or the next day? Check our our guide to our favourite breakfast spots in the Melbourne CBD.
The verdict
There’s stacks of beer options in the craft beer heartlands of Brunswick and Collingwood, but South Melbourne proves you don’t need to trek far from the city centre for a quick craft beer experience.
Whether you’re chasing hop-heavy brews, smooth stouts, or just a rooftop with a killer view, this mini crawl is great for a short stay.
