Guidebook for Footscray
Drinks & Nightlife
Affectionately known as 'The Rev', this may seem like just another bog standard local pub. But the menu is a tasty mix of Mexican, pizzas and burgers and caters to all dietary requirements. Known for its live music and cosy beer garden, it's well worth checking out. (Note: Tuesday is 'Taco Tuesday' and there's a reduced food menu). 5 min walk from our place!
20 locals recommend
Reverence Hotel
Affectionately known as 'The Rev', this may seem like just another bog standard local pub. But the menu is a tasty mix of Mexican, pizzas and burgers and caters to all dietary requirements. Known for its live music and cosy beer garden, it's well worth checking out. (Note: Tuesday is 'Taco Tuesday' and there's a reduced food menu). 5 min walk from our place!
Hidden laneway bar which has fast become a local fave. All the drinkies you could desire, a hip atmosphere, and pizza on the menu. :)
28 locals recommend
Back Alley Sally's
4 Yewers StHidden laneway bar which has fast become a local fave. All the drinkies you could desire, a hip atmosphere, and pizza on the menu. :)
The American-style bar and diner serves up all the comfort food you could want, as well as having a fabulous drinks range and craft beers on tap.
There's even a barbershop inside the bar, should you fancy a drunken haircut!
10 locals recommend
Chip's Loft
116a Hopkins StThe American-style bar and diner serves up all the comfort food you could want, as well as having a fabulous drinks range and craft beers on tap.
There's even a barbershop inside the bar, should you fancy a drunken haircut!
If you like craft beers and hidden breweries, then Hop Nation is the place for you. Set back from the river down a small laneway, most visitors to the area wouldn't know this place exists.
15 locals recommend
Hop Nation Brewing Co.
107-109 Whitehall StIf you like craft beers and hidden breweries, then Hop Nation is the place for you. Set back from the river down a small laneway, most visitors to the area wouldn't know this place exists.
Twenty-four taps pouring beer, wine, cider and cocktails – including Espresso Martinis. Footscrays's newest hip spot also features a rooftop deck and a bottle shop.
17 locals recommend
Mr West Bar & Bottle Shop
106 Nicholson St Twenty-four taps pouring beer, wine, cider and cocktails – including Espresso Martinis. Footscrays's newest hip spot also features a rooftop deck and a bottle shop.
This cute, quirky little bar opened up in 2017 and has become a Footscray fave. Craft beers, chilled vibes - and it's also dog-friendly!
7 locals recommend
Bar Josephine
295 Barkly StThis cute, quirky little bar opened up in 2017 and has become a Footscray fave. Craft beers, chilled vibes - and it's also dog-friendly!
Food Scene
Cafe by day, bar by night, Bad Love Club is one of Footscray's newest go-to places.
A simple menu includes bagels and jaffles, with tons of vegan options.
Head over in the evening for boozy baked goods and a cool bar.
Bad Love Club
68-82 Hopkins StCafe by day, bar by night, Bad Love Club is one of Footscray's newest go-to places.
A simple menu includes bagels and jaffles, with tons of vegan options.
Head over in the evening for boozy baked goods and a cool bar.
Good coffee on the way to the train station. They also have nice brunch/lunch options, and the atmosphere is chilled out (the cafe is in a converted old milk bar - very Footscray!).
35 locals recommend
Footscray Milking Station
35 Bunbury StGood coffee on the way to the train station. They also have nice brunch/lunch options, and the atmosphere is chilled out (the cafe is in a converted old milk bar - very Footscray!).
Rain, hail or shine, this little fro yo shop is pumping. And it's no wonder. All the flavours and toppings are made from scratch, with love. And taste AMAZING. If you love dessert, you'll love this little place.
6 locals recommend
goje
38 Anderson StRain, hail or shine, this little fro yo shop is pumping. And it's no wonder. All the flavours and toppings are made from scratch, with love. And taste AMAZING. If you love dessert, you'll love this little place.
If you need a caffeine fix before you catch the train (and maybe a little sweet treat too?!), then pop over to this kiosk right by the train station entrance. Good coffee, yummy doughnuts... what more can you ask for?
Footscray doughnuts and coffee
42 Irving StIf you need a caffeine fix before you catch the train (and maybe a little sweet treat too?!), then pop over to this kiosk right by the train station entrance. Good coffee, yummy doughnuts... what more can you ask for?
Madame K's is a Melbourne vego icon, and they opened a 2nd restaurant in Williamstown in 2017. Featuring the same menu as their popular Brunswick Street location, you can get all the veg/vegan Asian dishes you desire here - including plenty of hearty mock meats. Try the 'lamb' sliders and 'duck' pancakes. So good!
14 locals recommend
Madame K's Vegetarian
367 Brunswick StMadame K's is a Melbourne vego icon, and they opened a 2nd restaurant in Williamstown in 2017. Featuring the same menu as their popular Brunswick Street location, you can get all the veg/vegan Asian dishes you desire here - including plenty of hearty mock meats. Try the 'lamb' sliders and 'duck' pancakes. So good!
Melbourne's first vegan bakery, MNG is pretty iconic in this city. Famous initially for its cupcakes, the menu now includes a mind boggling array of cakes, slices, scrolls, sandwiches, subs, shakes... and more.
8 locals recommend
Mister Nice Guy's Bakeshop
151 Union RdMelbourne's first vegan bakery, MNG is pretty iconic in this city. Famous initially for its cupcakes, the menu now includes a mind boggling array of cakes, slices, scrolls, sandwiches, subs, shakes... and more.
Entertainment & Activities
Once you see a movie at The Sun, you'll never go anywhere else. This old style cinema has been at the heart of Yarraville's community since 1938, and coming here gives you a true movie 'experience', rather than sitting in a soulless room.
126 locals recommend
Sun Theatre Yarraville
8 Ballarat StOnce you see a movie at The Sun, you'll never go anywhere else. This old style cinema has been at the heart of Yarraville's community since 1938, and coming here gives you a true movie 'experience', rather than sitting in a soulless room.
Getting Around
7 mins walk from our house, Footscray is a hub for trains to and from the city, as well as down to Williamstown Beach, Yarraville village, and even out to country Victoria.
42 locals recommend
Footscray Station
Irving Street7 mins walk from our house, Footscray is a hub for trains to and from the city, as well as down to Williamstown Beach, Yarraville village, and even out to country Victoria.
5 mins walk from our place, you can hire a car, if you need to explore further afield on your own terms.
Thrifty Car & Truck Rental Footscray
5 mins walk from our place, you can hire a car, if you need to explore further afield on your own terms.
Parks & Nature
You might have heard that St Kilda or Brighton are 'the' beaches to visit in Melbourne - and don't get us wrong, they're great... But super busy! If you're looking for a chilled, lovely beach that isn't so filled with tourists, then cruise down to W-Town and enjoy the gorgeous combo of sand, parks, restaurants and shops. There's a real beach town vibe, and some stunning properties to lust over too. You feel like you're in a different town, even though you're still so close to the city of Melbourne.
77 locals recommend
Williamstown Beach
You might have heard that St Kilda or Brighton are 'the' beaches to visit in Melbourne - and don't get us wrong, they're great... But super busy! If you're looking for a chilled, lovely beach that isn't so filled with tourists, then cruise down to W-Town and enjoy the gorgeous combo of sand, parks, restaurants and shops. There's a real beach town vibe, and some stunning properties to lust over too. You feel like you're in a different town, even though you're still so close to the city of Melbourne.
If you need an escape from the concrete jungle, then a wander through Footscray Park will recharge the batteries...
118 locals recommend
Footscray Market
18 Irving StIf you need an escape from the concrete jungle, then a wander through Footscray Park will recharge the batteries...
A place to chill. There's also a dog park, a great kids playground, a small market some weekends, and usually a few food trucks every night too. :)
23 locals recommend
Yarraville Gardens station
A place to chill. There's also a dog park, a great kids playground, a small market some weekends, and usually a few food trucks every night too. :)
Arts & Culture
There are more than 1500 Heavenly Queen temples worldwide. One of them – the second, and largest, temple in Australia – stands alongside the Heavenly Queen on the banks of the Maribyrnong. 5 minutes stroll from our apartment, you can get up close to this temple on your morning walk along the river. Great photography opportunities at sunrise and sunset.
10 locals recommend
Heavenly Queen Temple
20 Joseph RdThere are more than 1500 Heavenly Queen temples worldwide. One of them – the second, and largest, temple in Australia – stands alongside the Heavenly Queen on the banks of the Maribyrnong. 5 minutes stroll from our apartment, you can get up close to this temple on your morning walk along the river. Great photography opportunities at sunrise and sunset.
Essentials
Large Coles supermarket with all your essentials including food, cosmetics, household items, etc.
28 locals recommend
Coles Footscray
Paisley StreetLarge Coles supermarket with all your essentials including food, cosmetics, household items, etc.