EAT > The Builders Arms, Fitzroy (15/20)

Builders Arms is where old Fitzroy charm meets the sharp edge of Melbourne’s culinary present—a neighbourhood pub reimagined by chef Andrew McConnell, its bones humming with history and its menus tuned to modern tastes. Those iconic yellow tiles and timber floors set the scene for a dining room that trades nostalgia for clean lines and dark wood, but leaves plenty of personality in the banter at the bar and the hum of weekend crowds.

It is spring in Melbourne, some refer to the season as ‘the pollening’ due to occasional plumes of pollen that drops from Melbourne’s plentiful plane trees which offer beautiful shade in Summer, but attack the allergies at this time of year. Arriving in an electric uber (Polestar, very comfortable and driven by a young lad from Brazil), I noted how many people were on the pavement enjoying a drink in the warm early evening. The pub was as you might say ‘heaving’.

There are two places to dine, the bistro area (which has table service) and the bar, lounge and garden (which require you to order via QR code or at the bar). We had booked late and so we were in a comfortable table in that bar area. Service started very slow, clearly the warm weather and influx of patrons had somewhat caught the staff off guard and what is usually a highly efficient and well oiled machine was struggling to keep up. But once the food orders were in both the drinks and the food arrived in fairly short time frame.

EAT >

The menu is a showcase for elevated pub classics—the Builders Arms cheeseburger is a cult favourite, but don’t skip the wood-roasted half chicken or the fish pot pie with goldband snapper, trout and prawn, each plate dressed with herbs and just enough old-school comfort to stay true to its roots.

Meals arrive with confident simplicity, boosted by sides like the chopped broccoli and almond salad, or yellow butter beans with romesco and perfectly crisp fries with a lick of aioli are just the thing to soak up that delicious sauce with the fish pie; desserts lean in with sticky date pudding and a chocolate pot de crème.

DRINK >

Ambience shifts easily from boisterous bar sessions to mellow bistro dinners, with a steady rotation of local craft beers and a wine list shaped by both classic Victoria and a few sly imports — nothing fancy but there’s always something to match the mood and the meal. Staff keep things lively, bringing warmth to every table, whether you’re celebrating, watching the footy, or simply escaping into the glowing, bustling mix of old and new Fitzroy.

CONCLUSION >

Melbourne is a city that just gets out there and a venue like the Builders brings together a melting pot of clientele, it does get loud, but its good natured, the food is yummy, meals and drinks are reasonable so it wont break the bank. A great place to catch up with mates, what is not too love ?

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Image Credit | Almanak & The Builders Arms

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