The Union Club Hotel

Tucked away on the corner of the leafy Fitzroy backstreets Gore and Webb, just near Smith Street, this Fitzroy stalwart, like many of the backstreet pubs in the area, is archetypically inner-city and balances grunge, retro, comfort and classic pub perfectly. It's well known to most inner-city Melburnians (and anyone that has ever seen Offspring on the telly).

The front bar, which is filled with stools and high-tables, offers a glimpse through to the lounge – with pool table, warm red walls, tattered retro couches that encourage slouching, retro videogame table and ample room for standing and knocking back pots. Both rooms, as well as the green-coloured dining room have walls adorned with old paintings, framed photographs and posters. There’s a well-sheltered undercover beer garden out back that has ample foliage and provides decent ambient warmth, or you can head upstairs to the newer, rooftop deck area for direct light and warmth in the summer months.

Food-wise, the Union isn't gastronomic, focusing instead on doing standard pub fare well. Comfort food highlights are the Union burger, chicken parma, calamari and gourmet sausages. The Union Club Hotel is the sort of place where you can still get a jug and parma and have a game of pinball, and it wont break the bank.