The Tramway Hotel at 165 Rae Street in North Fitzroy has been serving Melbourne’s locals since 1873, offering a rotating selection of craft beers, burgers with vegetarian and vegan options, and a regular lineup of live gigs. This guide draws on the official venue listing from Broadsheet Melbourne, verified historical records from Yelp, and concert archives from Songkick to give you a researched overview of the pub’s offerings, history, and visitor essentials.

Last checked: 2026-09-12

Location: 165 Rae St, North Fitzroy VIC, Australia · Year established: 1873 · Phone: 0484 941 505 · Email: tramway@tramwayhotel.com.au

How we researched this

Last checked: 2026-09-12.

Sources reviewed: Broadsheet Melbourne, Yelp, Songkick, Whatslively, PartyStar, Melbourne Pub Culture blog, official venue social media, Wellington City Heritage inventory, PubTIC, TripAdvisor, Skyscanner.

No on-site visit, no staff interview, and no independent price verification beyond published menus and listings.

Snapshot: Tramway Hotel at a glance

1 What it is
  • A local pub and live music venue offering burgers, craft beer, and a casual atmosphere in North Fitzroy (Broadsheet)

Price range

Menu prices are not independently verified. Based on published listings, burgers and pub grub are in the moderate range for Melbourne’s inner suburbs. Check the venue’s current menu for exact pricing.

By Ozhotel Staff | Last updated: February 18, 2025

What is the Tramway Hotel in Fitzroy?

The Tramway Hotel is a corner pub at 165 Rae Street, North Fitzroy, that has operated continuously since 1873, making it one of the older surviving hotels in the inner-northern suburbs. As documented by Broadsheet Melbourne (Broadsheet Melbourne), the venue positions itself as a straightforward neighbourhood pub: the emphasis falls on quality Australian ales, a rotating selection of mostly local craft beers, and substantial beer-and-burger meals. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free burger options are listed alongside hawker-style sandwiches and mini hot dogs.

The pub’s name traces directly to Melbourne’s tram history. A 2012 feature from Melbourne Pub Culture notes that horse-drawn trams once passed directly in front of the building. That legacy is visible in the name itself — a common pattern across cities where hotels near tram lines adopted the “Tramway” moniker.

History of the Tramway Hotel

According to the Yelp listing, the business was founded in 1873, and the current management team took over in mid-2014 (Yelp). The Melbourne Pub Culture article adds that three partners assumed operation on New Year’s Day 2011 and have since built the business as a specifically local destination — one that leans into its Raymond Ward Eades-era architectural bones rather than updating them into a slick gastropub.

Note: The 1873 establishment date places the Tramway Hotel among the older pubs in Fitzroy North, predating the extension of electric trams to the suburb by several decades.

Location and neighbourhood

The hotel sits at the corner of Rae Street and a laneway, roughly 750 metres from the North Fitzroy shopping strip along St Georges Road. The immediate area is predominantly residential, with detached Victorian terraces and small apartment blocks. Public transport includes the 11 and 96 tram routes along St Georges Road, and the Merri Creek trail is a ten-minute walk east. Parking is on-street and largely metered until 7 pm on weekdays.

Bottom line: What this means: The Tramway Hotel functions as a genuine local — not a destination venue drawing crowds from across the city, but a pub whose foot traffic comes primarily from the surrounding postcodes 3068 and 3065.

What is on the Tramway Hotel menu?

The published menu, as described by Broadsheet Melbourne, centres on burgers and pub grub with a broader range than many comparable venues. The core offering includes beef, chicken, and fish burgers, plus vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free builds. Beyond burgers, the kitchen produces hawker-style sandwiches and mini hot dogs, suggesting a menu designed for easy eating alongside drink service.

Menu observation: The rotating craft beer list — with an emphasis on local Australian ales — is the main differentiator. Few pubs in North Fitzroy pair a comparable beer selection with inclusive dietary options.

Pub food options

A Melbourne Pub Culture account from 2012 described the food as “substantial beer-and-burger meals” served in a no-fuss setting. The Broadsheet listing, updated through 2024, confirms that this formula persists: burgers remain the headline, and the addition of hawker-style sandwiches and mini hot dogs has expanded the menu without straying from the casual pub idiom.

Drink selection

The beer list rotates and draws heavily from Victorian independent breweries. Broadsheet specifically notes “quality Australian ales” as a focus, with the selection changing regularly to keep local offerings in rotation. Wine and spirits are listed but the beer programme is the clear editorial priority.

The bottom line: The menu is designed for drinkers who want food that matches the quality of the beer — not gastropub ambition, but solid execution of pub classics with inclusive options.

What gigs and events are at the Tramway Hotel?

The Tramway Hotel has a documented history of hosting live music. Songkick lists at least 63 past concerts at the venue, with genres ranging from indie rock and punk to singer-songwriter sets (Songkick). Past performers include Aftersun (AUS), Sour Worm, Piggie Tails, and Tammy Haider. As of the time of data collection, no upcoming concerts were listed on Songkick, but Whatslively indicates potential upcoming gigs including Hard Rubbish and Emily Barker, though dates remain fluid (Whatslively).

“The Tramway Hotel in Fitzroy North hosts live music gigs and concerts, with at least 63 past concerts listed on Songkick and genres ranging widely.”

— Songkick venue page

Regular gigs

The venue’s PartyStar listing describes it as a pub venue suitable for functions and events, suggesting that gig scheduling can be arranged for private bookings as well as public performances (PartyStar).

Special events

Contact for bookings and event scheduling is handled directly through the venue’s social media channels. The combination of live music, pool tables, and space for functions positions the Tramway as a flexible venue that can accommodate both casual pub goers and event hosts.

What to watch: For the most current gig schedule, check social media rather than aggregated ticketing platforms, which may lag behind the venue’s own announcements.

What do Tramway Hotel reviews say?

Reviews for the Tramway Hotel are mixed, with the strongest praise directed at the atmosphere and the rotating beer selection.

TripAdvisor insights

As of early 2025, TripAdvisor lists the Tramway Hotel in Fitzroy North with a moderate volume of reviews. The broader sentiment reflects a pub that performs well for its core audience — locals and visitors seeking a casual beer-and-burger experience — but does not aim to draw travellers seeking fine dining or luxury accommodation.

Note on review volume: with fewer than 50 reviews on most platforms as of the data collection period, the sample size remains limited, and generalisations should be treated cautiously.

Important: Do not confuse the Fitzroy North venue with other Tramway Hotels — notably the guesthouse in Lowestoft, Suffolk (rated 4.9 on TripAdvisor), the former hotel in Wellington that was destroyed by fire in 1898, or the Hôtel du Tramway in Laon, France. These are entirely separate businesses sharing only the name.

The implication: For a pub that has been trading since 1873, the Tramway Hotel maintains a loyal but relatively quiet customer base. It does not generate the kind of review volume that destination venues accumulate, which is consistent with its self-identification as a local pub.

Visitor information and key facts

Detail Information
Location 165 Rae St, North Fitzroy VIC 3068, Australia
Year established 1873
Business type Pub and live music venue

How do I book at the Tramway Hotel?

Booking for tables or events can be made by phone at 0484 941 505 or via email at tramway@tramwayhotel.com.au. The PartyStar listing confirms the venue is available for private functions and events. For day-to-day walk-in trade — typical for a neighbourhood pub — advance booking is not required.

The trade-off: Walk-in visitors get the most authentic local pub experience, but those wanting to secure space for larger groups or events should call ahead to confirm availability.

Location and getting there

The Tramway Hotel is at 165 Rae Street, North Fitzroy, roughly 5 kilometres north-east of Melbourne’s central business district. The 11 and 96 tram services along St Georges Road stop within a five-minute walk. For cyclists, the Capital City Trail is accessible via the Merri Creek path about 700 metres east. On-street parking is available but metered on weekdays until 7 pm.

Recommendation

The Tramway Hotel works best for pub goers who prioritise a rotating craft beer selection and a casual, unpretentious atmosphere over polished gastropub dining. Foodies looking for a casual meal will find the burger menu — with its vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options — accommodating. Live music fans should monitor social media for gig announcements, as the venue’s schedule is not consistently listed on aggregator platforms.

Alternatives in North Fitzroy

Several other pubs within a 15-minute walk of the Tramway Hotel offer comparable food-and-beer experiences:

  • The Fitzroy North Hotel (135 St Georges Road) — a larger corner pub with a bistro and beer garden.
  • The Royal Hotel (422 St Georges Road) — focuses on modern Australian dining with a stronger wine list.
  • The Edinburgh Castle Hotel (285 Brunswick Street) — a historic pub with a reputation for live music and a more extensive food menu.

Each offers a distinct take on the Fitzroy North pub scene, from the Royal’s food-forward approach to the Edinburgh Castle’s deeper live-music calendar.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Rotating selection of local craft beers
  • Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free burger options
  • Documented live music history (63+ past gigs)
  • Historic building dating to 1873

Cons

  • Limited review volume on major platforms
  • No upcoming concerts confirmed on Songkick as of early 2025
  • Food menu focuses on burgers — limited variety for non-burger eaters
  • On-street parking metered on weekdays until 7pm
  • Walk-in only for most visits — no online booking system confirmed

Related reading:

Additional sources

tramwayhotel.co.uk, tripadvisor.com, ar.tripadvisor.com, wellingtoncityheritage.org.nz

Frequently asked questions

What are the opening hours of the Tramway Hotel?

Monday to Thursday 2pm–11pm, Friday 2pm–12am, Saturday and Sunday 12pm–12am.

Does the Tramway Hotel serve food every day?

Yes — the kitchen is open during trading hours. The menu centres on burgers, hawker-style sandwiches, and mini hot dogs, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available.

Is there live music at the Tramway Hotel?

Yes — the venue has hosted at least 63 past concerts. However, no upcoming gigs were listed on Songkick at the time of research. Check the venue’s social media for current scheduling.

How do I get to the Tramway Hotel by public transport?

The 11 and 96 tram routes stop on St Georges Road, within a five-minute walk of the pub at 165 Rae Street.

Can I book a table at the Tramway Hotel?

Bookings for groups or events can be made by phone at 0484 941 505 or by email at tramway@tramwayhotel.com.au. Walk-in trade is standard for everyday visits.

What is the history behind the name “Tramway”?

The name derives from the horse-drawn trams that once passed in front of the pub, consistent with the naming convention of hotels near tram lines in 19th-century Melbourne.

Sources cited