Howler

Howler sits on Dawson Street in Brunswick, in Melbourne's vibrant inner north. A much-loved bar and live-music-and-events venue, it's become a genuine local fixture — known for its spacious, characterful setting, leafy beer garden and a strong program of gigs, performances and events in one of the city's most creative neighbourhoods.

The appeal is that combination of a great bar, a lovely garden and a buzzing cultural program, making it a versatile spot for a relaxed drink, a night out or catching live music and shows. In a suburb with a deep arts-and-music culture, it's carved out a strong following as a genuine community and entertainment hub.

With a 4.5 rating from more than 2,000 reviews, it's clearly a firm favourite. The drinks, the events and live-music line-up, opening hours and ticketing vary entirely with what's on, so it's worth checking the current program before you go if you're after a specific event — though for a relaxed drink in the garden, you can often just drop in and soak up the atmosphere.