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Restaurant

Benchwarmer

345 Victoria St, West Melbourne VIC 3003, Australia

Recommended by 23 people

Updated

Find Benchwarmer

345 Victoria St, West Melbourne VIC 3003, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9329 5979
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 4:00 – 11:00 PM Thursday: 4:00 – 11:00 PM Friday: 4:00 – 11:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Benchwarmer

Locals treat this West Melbourne corner as a clubhouse—equal parts taproom, bottle shop, and izakaya. Rotating taps pour West Coast IPAs and sharp sours, while fridges stock obscure takeaway tins alongside bottles of sake you can uncork at the bar. The kitchen skips standard counter meals for shareable plates: tender chicken katsu scattered with fried curry leaves, crisp prawn toast, and panko-crumbed rockling on toasted milk buns. Out back, heaters keep the beer garden comfortable right through cold Melbourne drizzles.

  • Curated Taps & Tins: Rotating lines pour West Coast IPAs and crisp sours, backed by retail fridges with hard-to-find tins and curated sake bottles.
  • Izakaya-Style Snacking: Japanese bar fare skips standard pub snacks for crisp chicken katsu, prawn toast, and panko-crumbed rockling burgers.
  • Heated Backyard Garden: A covered, heated rear patio keeps group gatherings comfortable through cold and wet Melbourne weather.
RestaurantBeerBarBeer Hall

What's On at Benchwarmer

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

Why Benchwarmer Stands Out

Pairing rare craft brews and curated sake with craveable Japanese izakaya dishes—book your spot to taste why it’s a West Melbourne favorite.

  • Bottleshop & Taproom Hybrid

    Benchwarmer operates as both a premier craft taproom and a retail bottle shop, allowing patrons to drink rare draught releases on-site or grab niche takeaway cans and chilled sake directly from the fridges.

    Awesome line up of craft beer on tap, and a well stocked fridge for take away and also for drink in.

    Chris Price (Pricey)

  • Izakaya Plates Built for Pairing

    Moving far beyond standard pub snacks, the kitchen specializes in Japanese izakaya-style fare and bold Asian small plates calibrated to complement rotating West Coast IPAs, sours, and curated sake.

    OBSESSED with the salmon tostada and chicken katsu - pairs so well with a fresh brew!

    Molly Murnane

  • Communal Group Feasting

    With an extensive menu of shareable bites spanning crispy katsu to handmade noodles, the dining experience thrives when shared across a table among friends.

    Best to come with a group so you can get as many dishes as possible, because they're all excellent.

    Lewkas

  • All-Weather Group Spaces

    Whether gathering indoors in the beer hall or enjoying the weather-protected heated back patio, the venue offers distinct seating zones tailored for group get-togethers in any season.

    Benchies is super welcoming of everyone and especially great to go in a group.

    Kasia Kosidlo

  • Approachable, Expert Guidance

    Knowledgeable bartenders and floor staff eliminate craft beer intimidation, guiding guests through extensive tap options and sake pairings with genuine warmth.

    The staff immediately make you feel welcome and looked after, explaining the menu really well and offering recommendations.

    Kelsey Jean

  • Thrill of Flavour Discovery

    Diners experience the excitement of unexpected flavour combinations, from savory umami-packed bar snacks to uncommon independent brewery releases.

    Every single snack was a knockout, crispy, salty, and packed with umami.

    Forkin’ Opinions

Top-rated izakaya snacks and signature bites favored by guests

  • Chicken Katsu

    OBSESSED with the salmon tostada and chicken katsu - pairs so well with a fresh brew!

    Molly Murnane

  • Fillet O Fish

    Toasted milk bun, incredibly crispy rockling, creamy tartare and tangy pickles. A dreamy fish burger that's perfect to share with your bestie.

    Jasmine (Jas.eats)

  • Rolled Rice Noodles

    Especially the rice noodles. We ordered them again at the end. No regrets.

    Lewkas

  • Prawn Toast

    Prawn toast - amazing!

    K Mo

Other favorites

Curated tasting flights, izakaya sides, and takeaway tins to complement your visit

  • Fries

    Fries: Very good, nice cheesy aroma.

    Eaton

  • Cucumber Salad

    Cucumber salad - yumtastic

    K Mo

  • Three Sake Tasting Tray

    Have the three sake tasting tray.

    Tim Bo

  • Takeaway Beers

    Got some takeaways beers from places I've never heard off!

    David Guthrie

Beyond the menu

From detailed sake origin notes to proactive table care, these hospitable flourishes make every visit effortless—book your spot today.

  • Origin & Flavour Tasting Notes

    Each pour from the curated sake lineup arrives with a dedicated card outlining its Japanese regional origin and tasting profile.

  • Intuitive Table Care

    Floor staff provide thoughtful sharing touches, such as proactively delivering extra cutlery to neatly divide burgers and larger plates across the table.

  • Guided Menu Consultations

    Servers take the time to personally walk diners through each dish on the izakaya menu and recommend complementary beer and sake pairings.

  • Fridge-to-Table Bottle Service

    Guests can browse rare bottles and cans directly in the takeaway fridge and have them served tableside for a modest corkage fee.

Before you head over

Practical advice on seating zones, timing, and fridge selections—book your table now to secure the best seats in the house.

  • Reserve Ahead for Heated Courtyard Tables

    If you are planning to visit with a group of six or hoping to sit in the heated back beer garden rather than street-side, book your table online in advance. The courtyard stays comfortable even in wet or chilly Melbourne weather, but prime seating fills up fast.

  • Arrive Early to Beat Sold-Out Plates

    When pairing drinks before an event at nearby venues like Festival Hall or Meat Market, aim for an early arrival. Popular kitchen plates can sell out during busy weekend peak hours, though the floor staff can suggest seamless swaps if your first choice is gone.

  • Order at the Bar and Tap the Fridge Selection

    Bottles and rare sakes from the retail fridges can be opened on-site for a modest $15 corkage fee or purchased to take away. If digital QR ordering stalls or payment declines at your table, step straight up to the bar counter where staff can handle your order directly.

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