Cricketers Arms Hotel — Restaurant in Melbourne

A group of us, from Adelaide, over for a Crows V Demons game at the MCG. We were early, so popped in here for a drink before the game. Now, as a domesticated ex-pom, brought up in the knowledge that going into the wrong pub in the wrong colours on matchday can easily be a once in a lifetime experience, I'll admit to some unease around going to what looks, from the outside, to be a very basic, even dingy-looking city boozer in the very heart of Melbourne territory. How wrong can you be? Inside is a cosy traditional pub, a welcoming vibe and friendly staff. A bar at the front, complete with a pair of classic video game machines and a restaurant area at the back, we didn't eat there but the food looked like good quality pub-grub. An absolute gem of a place. Five stars for reminding me what...

I had an awful encounter with a staff member (a Kiwi guy) who kicked me out for simply playing a game of pool. Things escalated quickly and unreasonably – he swore at me, spoke to me in a condescending and aggressive tone, and even made violent threats, saying he’d hurt me and kill me. I was completely shocked. No one deserves to be treated like that, especially over something as harmless as playing pool. Completely unacceptable behavior from someone who’s supposed to be managing a place professionally. Avoid this place if you care about basic...

Went in for a beer after the Melbourne - Collingwood game on Kings birthday. Security was over aggressive and kicking people out for no reason and man handling them. I overheard one security officer saying he was going to break someone’s scull and then a little later he was going to #*ck someone’s mum. The people he was evicting didn’t appear to be doing anything wrong. Security dude was #96. I left before finishing my drink - I’ll go elsewhere in...