Elsternwick Hotel

Established in 1854, the Elsternwick Hotel is one of Melbourne's first suburban pubs. 150 years (and several major renovations later) it remains one of the most popular; a mix of front bar, restaurant and pokies keeping the locals coming back. With its high ceilings, polished wood veneers, chesterfields and gold-framed mirrors the front bar sticks with convention. It's comfortable and laidback with a nod to old-world charm. That said, the prices are reasonable and you'll find a selection of boozing options available. The iconic Victorian Bitter neon sign sits on the hotels roof and it's among the eight beers available on tap. There's also a full accompaniment of imports and premium wine options available. Not much in the way of cocktails, but you can always try your luck with the bar tender.

The restaurant melds the front bar's traditional elements with more contemporary flourishes. While mains hover around the $20 mark, there's also a full steak menu available. Alternatively, you can order a counter meal in the front room. Throw in live entertainment on weekends and you have the quintessential suburban hotel - the kind of place you can simply drop into when there's nothing good on the telly, or you're in need of some decent pub grub.