Dr. Watson's Bar

Dr Watson’s Bar is the ground-level counterpart to The Sherlock Holmes Inn, offering a brighter, more contemporary setting in Melbourne CBD. The website describes it as the modern and stylish cousin to the basement pub, making it an option for those who prefer a lighter, more polished atmosphere while staying within the same Sherlock Holmes-inspired venue. It sits just off Collins Street, giving city diners and after-work drinkers a place to step away from the surrounding bustle without leaving the CBD.

The food menu is substantial enough for a proper meal, rather than being limited to bar snacks. Smaller choices include Scotch eggs, fish cakes, buffalo-style sticky wings, nachos and Turkish bread with cheese, garlic, herbs and chilli oil. There is also a choice of salads, including a beef quinoa salad and a pesto chicken salad, alongside more filling pub-style dishes such as Steak & Guinness Pie, Bangers & Mash, Shepherd’s Pie, Beer Battered Fish & Chips and Pork Schnitzel. The chicken schnitzel range includes a traditional schnitzel and several parmigiana variations, while the menu also makes room for Baked Cauliflower Cheese, Vegan Cottage Pie and a vegan burger.

Drinks are a central part of the wider venue offering. The site lists 19 draught beers, including Australian staples, local craft selections and imported beers, as well as local and international wine. For a casual meal, the menu includes familiar British and Australian pub influences, with enough variety for a mixed group and vegetarian or vegan diners. Named dishes such as the Steak & Guinness Pie, Bangers & Mash and Chicken Parmigiana give the menu a traditional pub character, while the more contemporary salad and plant-based options broaden its appeal.

The venue’s connection to The Sherlock Holmes Inn adds a distinct story. Downstairs, the older pub is presented as a Victorian London-style retreat with the famous detective and Baker Street regulars as its theme; Dr Watson’s Bar is the brighter ground-level expression of that same world. It suits a relaxed CBD lunch or dinner, a drink after work, and groups looking for a meal with plenty of choice. The venue also promotes flexible spaces for functions and events, so it may be worth considering for birthdays, work gatherings and social occasions that need food and drinks in one location.