The Elephant & Wheelbarrow

The Elephant & Wheelbarrow is a traditional British pub on Bourke Street in Melbourne CBD, established in 2000 and described by the venue as a city institution of more than 20 years. Its appeal is rooted in a classic pub setting with a warm, welcoming feel, while the location and regular programming give it a lively city-centre energy. The venue screens live sport and hosts live music from Thursday to Sunday, making it suited to a relaxed meal, a few drinks or an evening built around what is on.

Food follows a broad British pub style, with traditional favourites alongside familiar crowd-pleasers. The menu includes a Full English Breakfast, Bangers and Mash, Cottage Pie and Traditional Fish & Chips, as well as Chicken Parma, burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, salads and grill dishes. The Roast of the Day is listed as a special, served with roast vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and red wine gravy. There is also a dedicated children’s menu, with options including chicken nuggets and chips, spaghetti bolognese, squid and chips, mini fish and chips and ice cream.

The drinks list is a major part of the offering. The bar carries a wide selection of domestic and international lagers and ales, with tap options including Guinness, Kilkenny, Asahi Super Dry, Carlton Draught, Peroni and several pale ales. Craft beer is also stocked in the fridges, alongside an extensive wine list, cider, spirits and non-alcoholic beer. Guinness on tap is specifically highlighted by the venue, while the wine selection spans Australian and international bottles and glass pours.

There is room for different kinds of visits, from solo drinks and casual meals to group gatherings and larger celebrations. Tables can be booked in the pub or beer garden, while the top-floor function room and middle-floor bar area are available for occasions ranging from intimate dinners to sizeable events. The combination of a children’s menu, flexible function spaces, live sport and weekend music gives the Bourke Street pub a broad appeal for families, friends, work groups and visitors looking for a British-style pub in the Melbourne CBD.