Irish pubs like Bridies seem to be a bit of a dying breed in Melbourne. Ten years ago it seems you couldn’t go more than a few blocks without seeing one, nowadays they’re pretty scarce. You know exactly what you’re going to get in these places — pretty dingy inside with beer soaked carpet, and a few different accents from a group of guys watching soccer on TV boisterously in the corner, and at least one guy with a thick neck who seem to be looking for a fight that you do your best to avoid. The key selling point here though is the sizable beer garden out front that allows for some great people-watching, and I must say that I enjoy how much this down’n’dirty pub doesn’t fit in to the Chapel St surrounds more than anything else.
Ben L.
Tu valoración: 1 Melbourne, Australia
Idiot bouncers, terrible service. Chapel Street banality, you’ve done it again! I’m not against dodgy little pubs by any means but Bridies just sucks the Leprechaun. Daytime drinks are ok(but in reality, when aren’t they?!) however at night the place is just horrid. From the friendly faces at security to the high class spirits available over the bar, you know you’d have much more fun pouring a bucket of warm cat sick over your head while doing the can can.
Christina C.
Tu valoración: 3 Melbourne, Australia
I was speaking to one of my friends who grew up in melbourne and I told him that I’ve been to this place. He refused to know me afterwards. Apparently this is a seedy place that uni students go to or for st pats day. I actually don’t mind it. I ordered lemon pepper squid and a white rabbit cost me $ 27 pretty pricey but that’s what you get living in Prahran. It’s an Irish pub so easy going pub food and selection of beers. Can’t go wrong. I enjoyed the outside setting areas with lots of tables and chairs. It was a Tuesday night so it was quiet with just the right amount of people. You may find some interesting characters at this place. Good for eavesdropping and people watching.
Andrew S.
Tu valoración: 5 Melbourne, Australia
I love this place my favourite Irish pub in Melbourne I’ve been here many times over the years. They have a courtyard which is great in summer to just relax with friends. The meals are exceptionally good for pub food the oysters Kilpatrick were to die for, they have a large range of beers on tap which are all good.
Ads D.
Tu valoración: 4 Australia
I’ve been coming here for years, drinks only. Love the beer special of the month, never have to wait long, always a good smackering of a Irish living in Melbourne and easy to stricke up a conversation. Never picked up here but I’ve always been out if shape when I go. Also always seem to get a table too so always drop in for a few pints to start a chapel st night.
Bob C.
Tu valoración: 4 Melbourne, Australia
You’ve gotta love Bridie O’Reilly’s. I’ve been here several times now and I have always enjoyed myself. The fact is, Guinness. Wow, it is a love or hate kind of beer and I most certainly love the stuff. It was actually great last night because my mate ordered one, didn’t like it, so gave it to me. Talk about winning. The atmos is amazing and they have the soccer, footy, nrl and half a dozen other sports all on at once which is great. The staff are friendly and best of all, half of them are irish. This place is a gem. Try it for yourself.
Hugh M.
Tu valoración: 3 Northcote, Australia
There’s not much that can be said in this place; in plays to the keep it simple formula — a backpacker’s and touristy bar, immersed in the area of the same nature. It has a relatively nice outside smog garden, uhhem, beer garden outside, what holds to a former church. But in keeping of things, it is pub food, tap beers, pints, and an easy going no fussed night. All in all it’s a simple affair. But just like kiera S I have walked past many times without further venturing in.
John W.
Tu valoración: 4 Melbourne, Australia
I had a beer here the other day while trying to waste some time waiting for a movie to start. I like it because it had outdoor seating and served fat yak on tap. Yum!
Kiera S.
Tu valoración: 3 South Yarra, Melbourne, Australia
After walking past this place about a million and a half times I finally checked it out with some friends. It was ok. It’s like a typical Irish pub, but one that can end up on the trashier side as the evening progresses(to be expected, it’s on Chapel). If I ever go back, it will be for the tables out front which are always busy and make for a great place to people watch with a cold beer when the weather’s nice.
Matt A.
Tu valoración: 2 Melbourne, Australia
Bridie O’Reilly’s is a good example of why it’s best to avoid the South side of the river after dark. It’s an Irish pub, and it’s never attempted to be trendy(which I respect), but this place is seriously bogan central. The beer garden out the front would be a nice place to have casual drinks with friends if it wasn’t crawling with lecherous middle-aged meat heads on the prowl. On the upside, they sell ‘snake bites’, which is beer mixed with raspberry soda… not the most masculine of orders, but surprisingly refreshing.
Tallulah f.
Tu valoración: 3 Melbourne, Australia
I think Bridie O’Reilly’s is a bit of familiar favourite, by that I mean you can always be sure of exactly what your getting. Whether it’s some tasty pub grub with your mates your after, a few drinks after work or perhaps some music played by their live band and a bit of a dance over the weekend, you can be sure to find what your looking for at Bridie O’Reilly’s Chapel Street. Offering regular meal deal discounts during the week on dishes like Parma’s and Chips, Burgundy Pies and a Beer or perhaps a Porterhouse Steak, the food at this venue is of good quality and very filling. The atmosphere is typical of the Melbourne Irish Pub feel, traditional decorations and live music on the weekends and split over two levels there is plenty of room to cater for anyone after a good drinking sesh and a boogie.
Irene C.
Tu valoración: 4 Melbourne, Australia
I’ve been here quite a few times for a casual night out on the town. However I’m writing my review because I recently came here for dinner. I ordered the parma(as you do), and it was incredible! It was so much better than I had been expecting it to be. It comes out looking like a beast on a plate, this huge parma is crunchy and covered with the usual sauce, ham and melted cheese and is served with chips and a salad. I really enjoyed this meal, maybe it was thanks to the atmosphere, but this was extremely satisfying and I always think of coming back for it. The rest of menu sounds pretty appetizing too, who would’ve known a pub like bridies would make a perfect casual dinner.
Jackie D.
Tu valoración: 2 Melbourne, Australia
I’m not so sure about Bridie O’Reilly’s… It’s hard to have a bad time in an Irish Pub, they’re always relaxed and rowdy at the same time, the beer is always cold and laughs are always had. And while I’m sure all of that can happen at Bridie’s, there’s something a little off about it. Upon my first trip to Bridie’s all I could notice were the copious amounts of advertisements strewn around the bar — competitions you should enter, ‘buy this and get this free’ etc. It was a little overwhelming — all I wanted was a beer! I also find the giant TV’s all over the walls a tad tacky. Yes, I get that people want to watch sport, but do we have to have SOMANY screens? I find it distracts from having a good, ol’ time with your mates! There are definitely far superior Irish pubs around our fine town, but perhaps on the southside, Bridie’s will have to do.
Michelle J.
Tu valoración: 3 Adelaide, Australia
I have been to Bridie O’Reilly’s on a few occasions, all for someone else’s birthday celebrations. It’s a good location for a get together with friends, always a lot of fun. It can get pretty rowdy, but what pub doesn’t? There are lots of seats, big screen TVs all over the place, outdoor sitting areas, Guinness, a huge range of beer, spirits and wine… What more could you want?
Sophie L.
Tu valoración: 3 London, United Kingdom
My best at advice if you’re looking to indulge in a bit of Irish culture is to check out Bridie O’Reilly’s on St Paddy’s day. Sure the dance floor will be a little too heaving and the bar uncomfortably packed, but it is a guaranteed hilarious night out. Mingle with drunken backpackers and locals alike and partake in the free flowing Guinness. Bridie’s never seems to be short of a classic cover band or wasted clientele. It really is very much your classic Irish pub.
Alexander R.
Tu valoración: 3 Melbourne, Australia
Bridie O’Reilly’s is pretty much your typical Irish pub. Guinness on tap amongst others, a lot of big screens showing soccer and live band that on occasions have a Fiddler? Yes, believe it. I was so very entertained when I went there and witnessed an extremely talented Fiddler playing contemporary songs by Britney Spears and Kings Of Leon. I really go into the vibe that night and embraced my inner hooligan. It’s a lot of fun there and the fact that they have a huge outdoor area is a massive bonus. I also like that you can watch some sports or have a boogie on the dance floor upstairs as well. Maybe because it’s an Irish pub means they look after more than some of the other Melbourne pubs but it always seems clean and cosy where the booths downstairs are great when you want to catch up with a few friends. It’s become my university reunion place to go and it’s been growing on me more and more but I feel like the more you embrace it, the more you will enjoy your night.
Lilbo
Tu valoración: 4 Darlington, United Kingdom
I was a regular in here when I stayed in Melbourne for six weeks as it was walking distance from where I was staying. Its in a good area of melbourne and gets a good mix of people in. I was here for St patricks day and all I can say what a party! They have live music on and serve food(what you would expect for an Irish bar). Theres an outside area, and plenty of room upstairs and down for when they put events on — including beer tents outside. If your passing its worth a drop in.