MELBOURNE | 22 years ago, iconic Fitzroy pub, and one of Melbourne’s best live music venues, Punters Club, shut it’s doors. A few weeks ago, a new team of publicans, including Jason Cameron of Near & Far across the road, Jet bassist Mark Wilson, and music industry veterans Nathan Farrell and Adam Booth, reopened the space. Most recently home to Bimbo Deluxe/Kewpie, the new owners have brought back the Punters Club name, and are aiming to bring back the spirit of the original venue.
The outside looks just as it did during the Punters Club 90s heyday. The inside has been renovated and once more resembles a classic Aussie pub. There main space features a large, wood panelled U-shaped bar, flanked by booths, tables, and stools on either side. There’s a pool table towards the back, and sports on the TVs.
Upstairs, there’s a cosy room with two dart boards and jukebox filled with CDs featuring artists from the Punters Club’s past. There’s a small rooftop terrace, and a 100 capacity band room. The latter will be decked out like a recording studio, and will host an eclectic assortment of local artists.
To eat, it’s pub classics done right, and a fun selection of well executed snacks. The chicken parma and grass fed cheese burger are top notch, as is the tuna tartare served atop a pile of Smith’s salt and vinegar crisps. Other dishes include things like kangaroos schnitzel on mash, dim sums, and a rotating Sunday roast. For dessert, check out the bread and putter pudding made with Lune croissants and Pidapipo gelato.
For drinks, it’s an approachable selection of Aussie beers, including a few house beers brewed by nearby brewery, The Mill. There’s a quality international wine list, and a sharp list of classic cocktails.
Open until 3am on Friday and Saturday nights, the Punters Club is a great addition to the area. It a place that feels like it’s always been here, and will appeal to fans of the original Punters Club, and new punters alike.
Punters Club
376 Brunswick Street
Fitzroy
Victoria 3065
Australia
Telephone: n/a
E-mail: n/a
Website
Open
Tue – Thu: 5:00pm to 11:00pm
Fri – Sat: 12:00pm to 3:00am
Sun: 12:00pm to 11:00pm