The Local Taphouse — Restaurant in Melbourne

I've been here a few times for Local Laughs on a Monday, which is awesome value and well worth a look. So last night we decided to try it for dinner. And really, the whole experience was a bit underwhelming.

The beer list is pretty good with lots of variety, however it's on the more expensive side and they arbitrarily decide what is and isn't available by the pint. They were also out of a few beers which is understandable, but considering the list is on a large electronic screen, it's annoying that they didn't scratch those beers off.

We had a waitress clear a beer glass that still had a few mouthfuls left in it, which we figured was an honest mistake. However it happened again a short while later and this time it was a beer that costs $12 for 150ml. They also tried to clear our food plates when we were only halfway done. Then, an actually empty glass sat on our table for about 30 minutes. It just seemed like a strange way to operate, especially considering the fact that the place was only about 2/3 full upstairs.

The food was the real let down though. Firstly they were out of my first and second choices, despite it being 7:30pm on a Saturday night. Then the food itself was very ordinary. We couldn't really taste the pepper in the pepper calamari. The pork belly was a bit dry and bland. The octopus salad was pretty nice and the sweet potato crisps with whipped feta were ok. I saw a few people eating the parma, which looked pretty good. But yeah, our dinner experience was disappointing. At least the food was fairly reasonably priced I guess.

Overall, it's a decent place to go for a beer as long as you keep a close eye on your glass. And local laughs is amazing and consistently good value. But yeah, there are plenty of other choices for food nearby that leave this...

Tucked away on Carlisle Street in St Kilda, The Taphouse is one of those rare gems that captures the true essence of a welcoming, character-filled pub. Whether you’re seeking a quiet corner on a winter’s night or looking to enjoy craft beer with friends in a lively yet intimate setting, The Taphouse delivers in spades.

From the moment you step inside, the warm glow of open wood fires draws you in. There’s something deeply comforting about the way the firelight flickers against the pub’s rich wooden fixtures—aged timber beams, vintage bar counters, and classic pub tables that whisper stories of years gone by. It’s a space that feels both historic and alive, where every corner invites you to linger a little longer.

The atmosphere is undeniably cosy. It’s the kind of place where conversations flow easily, where strangers quickly become friends, and where you lose track of time in the best way. Whether you're on the ground floor near the crackling hearth or upstairs on the rooftop with views across St Kilda, the ambience is always warm and relaxed.

The Taphouse is also known for its rotating selection of craft beers on tap, featuring both local brewers and standout international labels. The staff are knowledgeable and genuinely passionate, always happy to help you find a new favourite or pair something perfect with your meal.

In short, The Taphouse isn’t just a pub—it’s an experience. It’s where rustic charm meets curated tastes, and where the cold outside is always forgotten once you step through the door. A true St Kilda institution, and a must-visit for locals and...

We booked a table at The Local Taphouse while visiting from Sydney. We booked the table a week in advance and selected the terrace area because we had 3 kids and wanted appropriate seating. When we arrived, they had moved us to a tall table with stools downstairs in the bar area with no explanation as to why. My brother asked the staff if they could seat us upstairs as per our booking request and they said there was a large table opening up soon and they would come and get us when it was ready. They never came, so we stayed downstairs. The venue itself is cosy and warm with old fashioned furnishings and a fireplace. The Taphouse offers a large range of craft beers which were quite good. The problem was the food and the service. We placed our order for food at around 7pm and even our entree’s (some of which were not things that required cooking e.g. chicken liver pate with toasted bread, hummus and bread) took an hour to come out. We had to ask the staff where our food was before they made any effort at all to bring it out. The kids meals took an hour and fifteen minutes to arrive (lucky they are well-behaved kids) and my nephew actually fell asleep while waiting so his food went to waste. Finally, after almost 2 hours, our mains came out and were disappointingly average. The mussels in broth were extremely salty, the coleslaw with the brisket was plain and had no flavour, the ragu pasta was dry. The staff were quite rude as well and didn’t really care or apologise for the wait. Definitely won’t be...