Marvel Stadium, Melbourne - Your Matchday Guide

With its retractable roof and central city location, Marvel Stadium is built for big moments. The Lions will face the Melbourne Rebels here on July 22, in what promises to be a high-energy encounter under the lights. Located in the Docklands precinct, Marvel Stadium is surrounded by a dynamic urban environment with a growing selection of pubs and bars. You'll find modern establishments offering great food and drink, as well as easy access to the broader pub scene of Melbourne's CBD, ensuring a lively atmosphere for fans.

Best Guinness Venues Near Marvel Stadium

The Sherlock Holmes, Melbourne

If you’ve come all the way from the UK, or just wish you had, Sherlock’s is where to be this Lions Tour. Tucked beneath the Melbourne streets, this British-style basement pub is pouring Guinness like it’s straight out of Dublin and serving up proper pub fare to fuel you before the game.

Only a 20 minute walk from Marvel stadium, consider this your pre-match warm up. Or have a couple Guinnesses and catch the train, that works too.

The Charles Dickens Tavern, Melbourne

Just off Collins Street but miles closer to London in spirit, Charles Dickens is the sort of place where Lions fans settle in and don’t look at the time. With pints from $9, wall-to-wall coverage of every match, and the kind of old-school charm you just don’t find much anymore, this is your Lions Tour local in the CBD.

A 25 minute stroll to marvel in the crisp Melbourne winter air will get you there just in time for the match. Or park up at the Dickens with a pint of Guinness and enjoy the night from there.

The Drunken Poet, West Melbourne

With the Lions Tour on, there’s no better place to soak it up than The Drunken Poet, a proper Irish gem just near Queen Vic Market. Voted one of the best Irish pubs in the world (yep, outside of Ireland), this place is all charm, all heart, and all in on the rugby.

Live music six nights a week, Guinness done right, and a bar full of fans who know their footy and their folklore. The Poet’s the kind of spot where the craic is real and the tour feels that little bit closer to home. Better news, it's only a 20 minute scenic trot to Marvel, as long as you don't get lost in Flagstaff gardens.

Young & Jacksons Hotel, Melbourne

Perched opposite Flinders Street Station and gazing out at the ‘G, Young & Jacksons isn’t just iconic, it’s built for big sporting moments, and the Lions Tour is no exception. Inside, heritage charm meets matchday energy, with screens showing every hit, run and try.

And yes, the Guinness is poured proper. Smooth, steady, and flowing fast on game days. Whether you’re grabbing a pint before the stadium or riding the highs (and heartbreaks) from the bar, Y&J’s has the atmosphere, the history, and the perfect pour to match. Then, it's an easy 15 minutes on the train, or take a stroll if the weathers nice.