Rochester Castle Hotel

Rochester Castle Hotel, known on its site as The Rochey, is a neighbourhood pub on Johnston Street in Fitzroy, Melbourne, with a broad mix of food, drinks and low-key entertainment. The offering centres on cold beer, local wine, cocktails and meals prepared by the kitchen, alongside pub favourites, food specials and happy hour. There is also weekend music, trivia and comedy, giving the venue a changing rhythm across the week. It is open seven days from midday until late.

The pub is designed for different kinds of visits rather than one particular style of night out. The front bar has window seats, booths, a pool table and fireplaces, while the beer garden adds outdoor drinking and dining with undercover space. Inside, there are three fireplaces, two pool tables, a long dining room and the Bowie Back Bar. Dogs are welcome, and the mix of indoor and outdoor areas makes it possible to settle in for a drink, a meal or a longer catch-up without being limited to one room.

For groups, The Rochey offers several bookable settings. The long dining room can accommodate sit-down groups of up to 25, while the Bowie Back Bar is set up for cocktail-style functions of up to 25 with direct bar access and a semi-private position near the beer garden. The beer garden itself can also be booked for events, with an undercover section intended to keep plans running in wet weather. The site recommends booking ahead for groups, and highlights the Green Room as a private space with old-world character for special celebrations.

Drinks are a clear part of the venue’s identity, with happy hour cocktails listed as an espresso martini, spicy margarita, classic margarita, amaretto sour and Long Island iced tea. The site also suggests coming for dinner before 7pm to catch happy hour. The Rochey’s team includes Rob as manager, Caitlin handling events, Subash as executive chef and Grant as owner. With its front-bar character, pool tables, fireplaces, beer garden and flexible function areas, it suits casual drinks, pub meals, small celebrations and group gatherings in Fitzroy.