Napier Hotel

Ph: 9419 4240; 210 Napier St, Fitzroy 3065

Pub, Bar, ** for Ambience
Open Mon-Thu 3pm-11pm Fri-Sat noon-1am Sun 1pm-11pm, Closed Xmas Day Boxing Day and Good Fri; Licensed; MC V EFT

Mietta's Review
This local underwent an ownership change late last century and has since established itself as one of the best-value eating pubs in town. Small but labyrinthine, the Napier has bent over backwards to preserve its friendly working-man's pub atmosphere, with plenty of dark wood and original lead-light windows. The eating area is noisy and intimate, so it's well worth grabbing a table (or couch or bench) early. Note too the impressive display of former Fitzroy Football Club memorabilia adorning the front bar which can still bring a tear to some of the more nostalgic locals. At weekends it can be a very crowded bar indeed, even with several side rooms and a beer garden outside. Built in 1891, it retains some historic features along with ancient photographs of the then Fitzroy Lions. Arthur Watkin and Guy Lawson are the licensees and chef Charles Sheppard is proud of a fellow chef's description of the Napier as "a good honest homestyle pub" which it is. Acoustic music on Sunday afternoons.

Other published opinions

The Age Michael Harden, 8-9-2008 "despite ever-increasing numbers of swanky clothing stores and lifestyle apartments, there are still enough deliberately down-market, ratbaggy pockets fighting the good fight, preventing how things are from turning into how things might be. Front and centre of this particular battle are Fitzroy's backstreet pubs. The Napier Hotel is one of the suburb's most Fitzroy-ish pubs and not just because of its proximity to the over-the-top grandeur of the Town Hall."

The Age Cheap Eats 2008 "You'll have to head to the beer garden for a ciggie, but thankfully that's the only thing that's changed here"

The Age Cheap Eats 2007 "Through the front bar that lionises a footy team long-since departed north, you might settle fireside with Tom Waits crooning a lament or, in warmer climes, squish into the arty beer garden with the rest of Fitzroy."

The Age Cheap Eats 2006 Despite Fitzroy's blanket makeover, this pub has retained its grungy, lived-in charm. Old-fashioned lampshades emanate a warm glow over uni students and loyal locals, who cradle beers beneath the footy memorabilia

The Age Cheap Eats 2005 "NO chichi revamp, no Ibiza stylings. This laid-back, picturesque old pub hasn't messed with a winning formula: supplying huge portions of pub fare along with cool music, Fitzroy footy memorabilia and sassy staff on the side."

The Age Cheap Eats 2004 "The good old pub meal is updated but uncorrupted at the Napier Hotel, an inner-suburban stayer that nobly resists yuppification and still displays Fitzroy Football Club memorabilia with pride."

The Foodies' Guide 2004,Allan Campion & Michelle Curtis,'A local for many hungry souls and a drinking spot for old Fitzroy supporters,whose memorabilia decorates the walls.The food is modern,hefty and wholesome.'