I love me an old man pub, and the Railway Hotel is the quintessential old man pub. Old man bartenders, fluorescent lighting and even a dingy fish-tank line the walls of the Fitzroy North pub. I know I’m making it sound awful, but this place has a ‘certain something’. It’s really quite charming. The courtyard out the back is gorgeous with vines winding around the pagodas, the fresh summer air blowing in your face and soft music playing in the background. A fantastic place to head to if you want to relax in the courtyard with a beer without the rest of Melbourne sitting around you. The food? Surprising! The Railway is packed most nights by the people that have discovered this shady little gem. The Railway Hotel also has a bottle shop to ensure your night continues going even when they close their doors.
Mutepr
Place rating: 2 Edinburgh, United Kingdom
A popular, busy bar among locals, the Railway Hotel suffers from being a little too insular, the dim lighting and surly regular adding to the mix. This aside the Railway Hotel offers a quaint experience, with numerous examples of old train signage, photographs and information relating to the once bustling railway line that passed through this area decades ago. With a great menu and excellent live music, the Railway Hotel may seem intimidating and less inviting then the nearby Empress, but those willing to brave front bar and put up with the local drinkers will ultimatly find a pleasant place to drink in peace.