Not a great fan of the Hawthorn. I don’t mind coming here, that is for sure but it doesn’t particularly wow me. I find the food is the only thing that keeps me coming here on the odd occasion. I enjoy the pizzas, especially the namesake. The parmas are also quite filling. My favourite there is the mexican parma. Anyway, the main thing that grinds my gears with the Hawthorn is Tuesday night. It’s a night directed at uni students that grabs the attention of sixteen year old. I don’t know how so many under age people can get in here. They all look like the sort that burrow $ 200 off mummy and daddy to buy a fake ID off a stranger. A fair chunk of the crowd lacks the ability of being polite and have even gone as far as putting their beer down on the pool table I was playing pool on and stealing my chips. Not a bad place for having a quiet time with a few friends but don’t come here on Tuesday nights, just don’t
Gavin S.
Place rating: 2 Melbourne, Australia
We ordered the wedges for entrée. Was nice except very heavy handed with the pepper. Our mains took about 45mins to arrive. My porterhouse steak was cooked medium rare(as specified) but it was very tough and burnt on top and on the sides. If we didn’t have to wait so long for the mains, I would have taken my steak back to be redone.
Kellie H.
Place rating: 3 Melbourne, Australia
I was here for a quiet sneaky Sunday session, which was really quiet. There is a decent courtyard, but due to the development at Swinburne the sun is being blocked quite a lot now. Make sure you take a cardigan or jacket, because if it’s not a stinking hot afternoon, you may get a little cold. Also do free pool on Wednesday night.
J L.
Place rating: 2 Melbourne, Australia
This seems like ‘the’ place to be if you’re underage, just on 18, or a first-year uni student(I stopped going here after that), and want to party hard. The popular drinks are pretty cheap. It isn’t, in my opinion, the place to be if you actually like good music, a non-trashy vibe, and the unique atmosphere that so many of Melbourne’s good bars can offer… Also just putting it out there, it’s a struggle to dance at your best anyway, given how darn sticky the floors are!
Daniel Z.
Place rating: 3 Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
I am more than happy to come here during the day for lunch and a quiet beer, sit in the beer garden, maybe play some pool. A great way to take your mind of studying if you go to Swinburne University next door. As soon as night time comes around though I am out of there. This is not my place to hand out. Mostly 18 to 21 year olds who live around the area frequent this joint. The music normally is the kind of crap you will hear on Nova at the moment. Many people like this but as I said before it is not for me. This love hate relationship I have with the place is making it hard to come up with a rating.
David S.
Place rating: 3 Melbourne, Australia
The Hawthorn Hotel on the Burwood Road is located adjacent to the Swinburne University Campus situated in Hawthorn. It is very much a student pub and the cheap and cheerful interior definitely reflects that. They also offer a food menu that primarily consists on a number of different parmas(in a similar vein to the Queensberry Hotel nr Melbourne uni). I haven’t had the food so I can’t really pass judgement. What is a massive draw for this pub is the cool courtyard and beer garden out the back of the pub. I went here for end of semester drinks with my students and it really is a great spot. There are also pool tables and live music on certain nights. When you throw in the student discounts then it is probably a decent place for students. Not for me particularly but for students yes.