PJ O’Briens is a good ol’ Irish pub in Melbourne. We pop in every now and then when we feel like a proper pub vibe and we’re never disappointed. Everyone is friendly, the drinks are cold and there are good pub meals on offer.
Sensational pub food, great service, great ambience, usually have the beef and Guinness pie, am going to try the bangers and mash next time, sensational menu keeps pussycat and myself coming back.
An awesome place for not only drinks but food. We have been there many times and have never been disappointed ! Great atmosphere and the staff are lovely. Big pub meals for a good price as well ! Last time we went I had the curry from the bar menu and it was very good, sided with chips it was a perfect blend. Would highly recommend
3.5 🌟
Lovely pub in the Southgate shopping centre, we originally just came for drinks but decided to stay for dinner as the food looked great and the staff were so lovely!
Everyone was really happy with their food, portions were generous, well cooked and reasonably priced.
If you enjoy great atmosphere & food, I highly recommend PJ O'Brien's. I've been many times for lunch, the cheesy chips with bacon is an absolute must do. Sunday roast is good. Friendly staff, highly recommend for locals and visitors alike, definitely a must do...
Located in the heart of Southgate, P.J.O'Brien's is one of Melbourne's favourite destinations for locals and visitors alike. Enjoy a couple of quiet ones in a cosy snug or get right into the atmosphere with a mix of traditional and contemporary live music every night of the week. In P.J's Sidebar you can enjoy some freshly shucked oysters with a nice glass of wine. P.J's Sidebar is available for private and corporate events with a private upper area perfect for intimate occasions or meetings. Check out our Function Page for more information on events on P.J's Sidebar and Main Bar. Open every day for lunch, dinner or just drinks with live music every night. Lunch and dinner bookings recommended,
Ordered a guiness and beef pie. Mouthwatering and delicious down to the last crumb! Portion is huge as well, could easily share between 2 people (and I'm a big eater). Comfortable seating spaces and nice live music in the background. Would come back.
3.5
A solid pub dishing up hearty meals and excellent Irish beers. The accurately authentic interior (according to my dad) of the pub is dimly light yet very cosy, with a few tables hidden in nooks and crannies around the place if you want some privacy. The service was incredibly down to earth and attentive.
My partner and I couldn't pass up ordering the traditional Irish fares, and I hit the jackpot with the Beef and Guinness Pie. The beef was so tender and moist, and absolutely flavourful. To top it all of, the pie pastry was light and flaky. His order of the Irish Pork Sausages was good, but definitely not as tasty as mine.
The sourdough bread were bizarrely inconsistent in texture as while two slices were super soft, two other slices were a bit tough and chewy.
My dad ordered the porterhouse steak that came with a pot of beer for $20. That was good value for money, and the steak was cooked beautifully. Chips could be crunchier though.
A very filling and satisfying meal.
Was here for a friend’s birthday do. Great ambience, dim lightings and cozy setting. Food was reasonable priced. Heggies botrytis reisling would be my favourite. Would definitely come back.
The service provided by Oeifa (manager) was excellent when I went down on the 13th! She was so helpful, and even the staff that was serving my table was very attentive. We had a pint of Kilkenny on tap- which was really smooth, and half a dozen of oysters- which were quite good but not worth the 20$. Had the bacon steak and seafood chowder as our mains. The dessert of the day, a bread pudding was actually the highlight of my meal! It was soooo delicious. The staff and service is, in my opinion, the best asset of the place :)
Good hearty food and the pints of Guinness are lovely compared to most Irish bars around Melbourne. Good staff and vibe in the place. The Irish chicken Parma is a personal favourite
It's seems in this world you are either a PJ's sort of person or you ain't. Not sure if it's true or not but I heard the interior of this venue was actually originally that of a pub in Ireland itself... shipped across. True or false it does pack a bunch of authentic hospitality and is a reliable source of well poured Guinness and other Irish/ English slow pour ales. There is more often than not live band sets throughout the night and I've never know it to be quiet inside in the later evenings. It's a venue that a few of my friends inevitably want to end the night at once were finished at other places so more often than not the last pub we drink at on a busy night.
I can't recall ever eating anything here except perhaps something snacky with drinks but I clearly must have because I've been a fan of the entertainment book for over 15 years
In the current Entertainment book for 17/18 edition 👍🏼
I've eaten here many times and it's always tasty and predictable, hearty food. Friendly service and what you would expect from a pub meal! Southbank is always on the pricey side so it goes with the territory of eating in this area.
Went here twice as the beef & Guinness pie was very good, the mash potatoes and vegetables go very well with it. The serving sizes are very generous, I highly recommend this place if you like pies.
This place has a great ambiance, the dim lighting with dark furnishings gives it a really European pub-y feel while also still being cozy. If you can get a booth, it's quite nice but regular seating is great for larger groups. The food is very reasonably priced, the portion sizes are generous, and it all tastes fantastic. Meat is tender, sauces are flavorsome, sides are well-cooked, soups are a pleasant consistency, and I just don't think you can go wrong with this place.
The only thing I could be improved would be the music. I know they advertise live music every night but when they don't have bands playing, PJ's plays the popular trendy top 50 songs and throwback 80s music. There's nothing wrong with this music really, but I think they could enhance the Irish feel of the pub if they played Celtic music and Irish jig songs and whatnot.
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Close to work and an easy going favorite when the taste for great beer at an Irish pub.
Aoife and Cian - managers - have come to know us and always provides a warm welcome. They are focused on making sure you enjoy your time there. My score is more attributable to the range of beers on tap including my good friend Guinness. The food is a standard set menu with weekly specials and lunch can be a $20 affair for a moderate dish and 1 drink included through to more ambitious offerings. Chicken Schnitzels have come out across the full spectrum over the years ranging from dry overcooked to pink inside. The most consistent, never let you down gastronomic delight would have to be their Beef & Guinness pie offering. It is a generous offering serve and cooked to perfection, I have tried to simulate the slow cooked pie and its insides at home but I only ever get close. I have also attended over the years many of their Winter whiskey/bourbon tasting nights and on these occasions the food served and matched to the theme of the night is always top notch and well received by everyone I have ever attended with (I have been to more than 6 of these over the years).
Coming from the UK it's nice to find a pie like home. So many pies in Melbourne are only pots with pastry tops, this is the real deal. Mash was nice, although a slight taste of instant mash and veggies could have been cooked a little longer. Pints of Guinness bring back good memories. Drinks are quite pricey, but that's Southbank for you.
Service is good, but food is average. Portions are just right. Its a fancy chain with rich decor. Location is great, although its a bit too inside the mall.
M For FOOD And Drinks Occasionally.
+4.5
Passes easily with flying colours. PJs has been around for a long while and that itself is proof not only in the pudding, but for product they sell and the service they provide. It's been a while since my last visit, however I recommend this pub anytime. Traditional interior, typical pub fare in decent quality and pricing. Specials of course are a given too. We had the Porter and Porter one for $20 and the Squash salad. Staff made us feel welcome and looked after us. Many thanks.
Love love love their beef and guinness pie! So tasty and flavorful, tender and generous servings of beef and crispy puff pastry. The sauce was amazing and the mash potato was creamy. We ordered Carlton pale ale and waited impatiently for our food. This was my second time ordering the pie and I could not wait to dig in. I guess they were busy that night cos we had to wait for at least 25 minutes but it was worth it. The dishes were served hot and we thoroughly enjoyed every mouthful. Also ordered the Kilkenny fish and chips, the fish was fresh and nicely fried. The meat was moist on the inside and batter was crispy. The homemade tartare sauce was also spot on. We clean up both plates and sat there feeling so satisfied and full.
Melbourne Epicurean Juror
+4.5
I've past this pub thousands of times but never eaten here, today I did so & certainly wasn't disappointed. I chose their Irish Sausages with caramelised onions & mash potato for $23, it was served steaming hot within 20 minutes of ordering. The sausages were full of flavour (although I'm mystified what's Irish about them) & the mash was creamy without being sloppy, the onions provided additional flavour & the red wine gravy topped it off. The service provision was excellent by Alice (with her beautiful strong Irish accent) who was obliging, friendly, efficient and carried a great smile, she even checked to see that I was satisfied with my meal. The Irish background music was at a level that could be heard over easily and the old style décor was from another era, dimly lit, one could almost say romantic.
The Juror's Verdict: Food 4.5/5, Service Provision 4.5/5, Will I return: Definitely, it was a truly great experience
Phill Jury (food critic & writer)
Always good for a beer. I ordered wagu beef burger which came with chips and battered onion rings. Was good. My companion ordered the Parma he was asked if he would like the Irish version. Which he tried. It came with curry sauce on the side. Unusual to say the least
Twice in 24 hours! First time was at midnight when this as the only joint open at that time in the area. Pint to drink but unfortunately there was nothing to eat. Loud music but then there are booths that make a conversation possible. The next time was around 2200 and there was a band playing and a few folks dancing to the beats. Good fun on both occasions.
I like PJs for drinks. Average food, but overall a decent pub. Long wait for food is a bit annoying. I have tried their burgers, pie, soups, chicken bruschetta, wasabi potato cakes (these are consistently good), wedges - bit of a hit and miss.
Great vibe, nice ambiance and friendly people. They also have live music some days. I would recommend PJs for a drinks night and head to a different restaurant for food.
Listed as Melbourne's best Irish Pub on both Yelp, Trip advisor etc.. PJ O'Brien's is indeed a great place to hang out w friends for a beer. I absolutely loved their Traditional Irish stew w generous portion of lamb, carrot, potatoes and a touch of rosemary. What a heart warming dish for a cold winter night. Really enjoyed the live music and cheerful ambience, they also offer $20 daily special and Sunday roast. Will try their seafood chowder, grill kangaroo or pie & pot next time.
A wonderful atmosphere and overall dining experience. I am always down at PJs during my lunch break with my workmates. I love their Guinness pie and chicken parmas.
Great Irish pub at Southbank. Try the oysters by the dozen !! Good menu to pick from and huge servings ...you will not go away hungry and plenty of Guinness on tap to wash it down.
One of the better Irish Pubs in Melbourne in terms of consistent food. Guinness is nice and fresh as you would expect. Cheap meal deals is the best way to eat at this pub.
Went here for lunch on Wednesday with the family. Thought it was really friendly and perfect for a cold spring day. It was really cosy and the food was hearty and filling.
Good food, good location and great atmosphere! Great Irish dishes and Magners to top it off. Can get very busy on weekends so I'd advise to get in early.
A nice pub but could do with a little bit more natural light. Meals are good and I have had the parma a few times and that's always been a good feed.
First time dinning at PJs, and in typical Irish Pub fashion the atmosphere was great with live music and fantastic decor.
Staff were very friendly and accommodating. 3 adults and 5 children were in our party, and they tended to our needs without issue or concern.
Food was great, we ordered a selection of meals and it all represented great value.
A must do
8ites Our Bites On Food
+4.5
P.J. O’Brien’s is a really cool place for happy hour and if you are a Guinness® lover, you can be guaranteed a Perfect Pint here – they were hand-crafted to perfection. This place boast a sizable stage for live entertainments – reminded me of Hard Rock Cafe in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. For Arthur’s Day, two local bands, The Bad Penguins and Buddha in a Chocolate Box were scheduled to shake the house tonight but I got a curfew tonight …
Service with a smile!. Had a meal here on Saturday night and was extremely happy with it! Beef & Guinness pie was excellent and was great value, and the guinness on tap was the best I've tasted in Australia. Staff were very friendly and helpful made my visit very enjoyable!
Will definitely be back again!!
Had a great xmas day yesterday in pjs. Food was great, staff were great, the "craic" was great. Cant wait to go back!!!
Festivus - hearty food. This is a safe bet
Good pub food that’s nice and hearty
Chicken Parm is good, get it
Great service and food. Had the chance to eat here this week and couldn't fault the food or the service. We were attended to promptly and when we found a problem with the entree it was immediately fixed with apologies and the offer of free dessert or drinks which we had not requested. The replacement was served and no further hitches.It was delicious. Mains were fresh and well presented and tasty - lamb and fish. Chips were good. Drinks [ beer and white wine] served cold - not always the case in Melbourne we found! The staff were very pleasant to everyone as far as we could see. Not sure why others were dissatisfied but with all service industries staff come and go unfortunately.
Food was great! I'd heard the customer service was poor and food service was slow but we saw none of that.
Friendly Irish staff ad quick, tasty food. Can't wait to go back!
Bit of a wait. Ordered med/well done eye fillet. Was told it would be about 25 mins. That was ok but took around 40-45 mins to come out. Must say it was well worth the wait!! Awesome ;)
Great value in southgate. Ate with a group of 4. We had Parma, pot pie, Irish stew and the lamb. All meals were good slur. The lamb was excellent.
Service was friendly considering they were busy for a Saturday evening.
I would return again for food and drinks.
Nice setting. Can recommend the vibe in PJs and if your ordering food go with the beef and guinness pie :P
Great food, awesome music. We tried the Beef and Guinness Pie last night and we amazed at how good it was. A proper pie and not a soup in a bowl with a pasty lid! Staff were very engaging and being mostly Irish fitted in with the wole theme.
Resonably priced and once the live music started the crowd were not long getting onto the dance floor and attemp some Irish dancing. Great night had by all and we shall be returning in the near future.
Been coming here for years - doesn't disappoint. Clearly this place isn't fine dining - let's get this straight. Doesn't mean you won't get a good quality feed though!!
I've been coming here for years, and they have since added a section on the side that is a bit more "upmarket", including designer beers. Food is still good quality, no matter what side of PJ's you order from.
Everything is nice and "pub sized" - to soak up the alcohol you will no doubt be indulging in, in this Irish Pub.
I recommend the Fish and Chips, and the Surf and Turf...they are exactly what you'd expect when you order these dishes - with a touch of flair that is welcome in a Pub meal....The Surf and Turf for example comes with Rosemary sea salt and Prosciutto Wrapped scallops - not exactly your typical pub fare, and I appreciate this!
Recommended!!
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Sunday lunch. We go to this place... quite alot. It reminds my inlaws of a pub in England with its hidey holes to sit and eat in and beer in pint glasses. The food is alright nothing special and quite reasonably priced for the area. I recommend ordering from the menu - the specials never seem to be thought through and can dissapoint. Desserts are another thing to avoid - just have another frothy pint.
Having said the negatives, the pie is always excellent and has an actual pastry base, which everyone wants - I don't consider a pie to be a bowl with a pastry lid. The mussels are lovely too, with a hint of chili in the sauce. The roast of the day is usually good - the chicken is a big serve but can be tasteless - pork or lamb is always a winner. Irish stew is good too. Oysters are OK, but they must pour out the juice when they shuck them or buy them shucked and keep them in the fridge because they are like supermarket oysters waiting for lemon juice to breath life back into them.
Anyway, that finishes the rant. Great beer, nice food.
Godda Love the Irish. If it's good, wholesome pub grub you're after, look no further than PJ OBrien's. Have been here on numerous occasions now and it's in the Ent Book which makes it even sweeter.
Love this pub. PJ's is fantastic no matter what you go there for. Even if it's just for a drink, the service is great and the drinks aren't over priced - plus they serve them in funky shaped glasses. Food is great, fantastic waitresses/waiters - well priced and speedy service. Love it and will keep coming back.
Nice Irish flair. Good for after work drinks. The whiskey tasting nights are amazing too.
Food and service could be better though. But is pub, you don't go there to enjoy food, do you?
Not Bad. Fun Pub, but can get a bit rough at times! Magners on tap!
Oysters and prawns. The best seafood I've ever had in a pub. Try 1/5 kg of prawns - freshest and beautifully presented on an ice platter. Or Friday Happy oyster hour - a must!
The food here was fantastic, some of the best pub food I've had for awhile! I had the BBQ chicken in a Irish whiskey & portobello mushroom sauce served on potato! Superb!!! My husband had the Irish stew & he couldn't finish the serve!!! Great service & friendly staff!! Will definitely be returning another time!
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