THE CURTIN (John Curtin hotel)

The Curtin — the John Curtin Hotel — sits on Lygon Street in Carlton, just north of Melbourne's CBD. A legendary live-music pub, it's a genuine fixture of the city's music scene — its much-loved upstairs bandroom has hosted countless acts over the decades, while the front bar offers a relaxed, characterful pub atmosphere, making it a beloved spot for music lovers and pub-goers alike.

The appeal is that combination of a celebrated live-music program and a great pub atmosphere: catching a gig in the historic bandroom is a rite of passage for Melbourne music fans, while the front bar is a brilliant, no-frills spot for a drink. Its history, character and quality line-ups have made it a treasured institution.

With a 4.5 rating from nearly 1,000 reviews, it's clearly a much-loved venue. The live-music program, show times, ticketing, the bar and opening hours vary entirely with what's on, so it's worth checking the current line-up and booking directly before you go — particularly for a specific gig — though for a drink in the front bar, it's often just a matter of dropping in to the Curtin in Carlton.