Melbourne’s best pubs to watch the big dance (and we’re not just talking about Kylie)

Whether you’re going for the game, the drinks and footy snacks, queen Kylie, or all of the above, these are the pubs to flock to this grand final week, good times guaranteed (unless your team gets walloped).

The Royal Derby may be a little rough around the edges, but it’s got plenty of heart and soul and one of the ’hoods biggest beer gardens. As the official pub for Brisbane (and original Fitzroy) Lions fans, a great atmosphere and huge crowd is guaranteed, so don something red, yellow and blue and get among it for raffles, rousing footy and an almighty roar, no matter what the result. Some walk-ins will be available. There will be live music after the game (and guards of honour before it). 446 Brunswick St, Fitzroy royalderbyhotel.com.au

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It may already be booked out for Saturday afternoon (some walk-ins will be available from 9am Saturday), but all this week the grand old Great Northern beer garden will be heaving with Fremantle Dockers fans, enjoying a parma, a pint, and lots of purple-hazed wharfie time before, during and after the game. On Thursday, the DJ who whips the crowd into a frenzy at Dockers’ home games will be on the GN decks from 2-5pm. Dog-friendly, Dockers-friendly fun. 644 Rathdowne St, Carlton North, phone (03) 9380 9569 gnh.net.au

This seven-storey CBD superpub is putting on a good show on grand final day with big screens and five hours of free-flowing food and drinks in The Balter Lounge, throughout level one and on the wraparound terrace for $148 per person. Or pay as you go and watch it on the big screens on the ground floor. 508 Flinders Street, Melbourne. watersidehotel.com.au

The Docklands destination pub is throwing a rooftop viewing party, and you’re all invited. With a mega screen showing the game, pre- and post-game entertainment, roaming canapes and siren-to-siren bottomless house wine and schooners for $110 per person (upgrade to spirits for $130), it’ll be a great spot to spend the last Saturday in September. 693 Collins Street, Docklands quarterhouse.com.au Good Nature Hotel , CBD The Fed Square watering hole formerly known as Beer Deluxe is now Good Nature, and it’s getting in on the action early, opening at 9am for breakfast, live music and face painting before the game. The siren-to-siren package is good value: $105 per person for your choice of main and three hours of bottomless beer and wine in the beer garden — and all the action on the big screen, of course. Federation Square, goodnaturehotel.com.au

Take your pick from two pretty great packages on offer at the multi-level slick city pub. For $109 per person enjoy bottomless beer, wine and roaming canapes from 2pm-6pm, or take things up a notch, literally, at the rooftop VIP viewing party where $210 per person will get you premium drinks, deluxe food stations and guaranteed seats. Whichever you choose, there’ll be DJs to dance to from the final siren until late.