Buck Mulligan's

Forget the rowdy sports bars—this High Street staple is a masterclass in the traditional Irish public house. No flashing pokies. No blaring screens. Just proper conversation, shelves stacked with books for sale, and a cozy room built for intimate catch-ups. Whiskey aficionados point newcomers here for the staggering uisce beatha selection and winter-warming hot toddies, while cocktail purists back the perfectly balanced margaritas—shaken with proper Cointreau—and blackberry brambles. But the main event? A flawlessly pulled pint of black. Stout devotees across Melbourne quietly acknowledge this might be the finest Guinness in the city. Grab a board game, respect the live musicians—management rightfully demands hushed tones during sets—and settle in for a night of genuine craic.