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Restaurant

Labour in Vain

197A Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065, Australia

Recommended by 50 people

Updated

Find Labour in Vain

197A Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9417 5955
HoursMonday: 2:00 PM – 1:00 AM Tuesday: 2:00 PM – 1:00 AM Wednesday: 2:00 PM – 1:00 AM Thursday: 2:00 PM – 1:00 AM Friday: 2:00 PM – 1:00 AM Saturday: 2:00 PM – 1:00 AM Sunday: 2:00 – 11:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Labour in Vain

Proper old-school Fitzroy with zero pretence, this unvarnished dive pairs well-poured pints with free pool and an open BYO food policy. The Brunswick Street crowd treats the dark timber haunt like a second living room—tucking into salty chips and peanuts decanted into wooden bowls, or heading upstairs to the heated rooftop beer garden. Signs firmly ban pub crawls and rowdy party tours at the door, preserving room for effortless conversation, cold draught beer, and unamplified early evening gigs. You can bring a cheap pizza in from down the street, sink a pint of stout, and watch the street drift by from an outdoor table.

  • BYO Food Policy: Operates with no in-house kitchen beyond wooden bowls of chips and nuts, letting patrons bring in outside takeaway.
  • Free Pool Table: Features a classic ground-floor billiards table that is completely free to play.
  • No Pub Crawls: A clear venue door policy turns away organised pub crawls, buck's, hen's, and large tour groups.
  • Heated Rooftop Beer Garden: An upstairs open-air terrace outfitted with climate heating and misting for year-round drinks.
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What's On at Labour in Vain

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose Labour in Vain

What sets Labour in Vain apart on Brunswick Street

  • Free-to-Play Ground Floor Pool Table

    Labour in Vain features a complimentary pool table on the ground floor, letting patrons play games freely alongside pints of draught beer.

    Free pool.

    Raymond Harvey

  • Flexible BYO Food Policy

    Operating without an in-house kitchen, the pub permits outside food orders while serving traditional bar snacks in retro wooden bowls.

    You can byo food.

    Clinton Gale

  • Climate-Controlled Rooftop Beer Garden

    The upstairs outdoor beer garden is equipped with heating and misting amenities to provide a relaxed open-air space for drinks with friends.

    The upstairs beer garden is beautiful and has heating and a misting feature perfect for all occasions

    Noah Camroux

  • Dog-Friendly Rooftop Socialising

    A welcoming, relaxed policy extends to furry companions, allowing patrons to socialise over drinks on the rooftop with their pets.

    Good friendly stuff, they have a pub cat but still let us bring our dog Splash in ! An awesome rooftop garden with heating

    Colin Gower

  • Strict Ban on Pub Crawls and Large Tour Groups

    An explicit door policy barring organized pub crawls, buck's, and hen's nights ensures a grounded, unpretentious atmosphere free from rowdy disruptions.

    There was a sign outside prohibiting pub crawls, hen's and buck's parties, and large groups.

    Urban Reverie

  • Free Live Music Residencies and Afternoon Gigs

    Patrons enjoy regular early-evening and weekend afternoon live music residencies with top-tier performers at zero cover charge.

    The ace up the Labour's sleeve are the music residencies. Top notch musicians, roll-up regularly and it's totally free.

    Adam Hogan

Beyond the menu

Unpretentious hospitality rituals and venue policies that keep the atmosphere easygoing

  • Curated Crowd Protection

    A prominent door policy strictly prohibits pub crawls, hen's and buck's parties, and oversized groups to protect the pub's relaxed, conversational atmosphere.

  • Free Pool Table

    Rather than metering games or charging table fees, the ground-floor pool table is free for all patrons to play.

  • Open BYO Food Policy

    With no commercial kitchen on-site, the venue openly welcomes patrons to bring in takeaway meals and pizza from neighbouring local eateries.

  • All-Weather Dog-Friendly Rooftop

    The upstairs rooftop beer garden features installed heaters and misting cooling systems alongside a dog-friendly policy for seasonal comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do they serve food, or can you bring your own?

The pub does not operate an in-house kitchen and only serves bar snacks like crisps and nuts, but you are welcome to bring in outside food or order takeaway from nearby spots.

Are pub crawls or large party groups allowed?

Labour in Vain maintains a strict house policy prohibiting pub crawls, buck's nights, hen's parties, and large party groups to keep a low-key, relaxed atmosphere.

Is there outdoor or rooftop seating available?

Yes, the pub features an upstairs rooftop beer garden equipped with heating and misters, making it comfortable in varied weather.

Is there a pool table or games to play?

Yes, there is a pool table downstairs that is free to play, alongside other classic distractions like a chessboard and pinball machine.

Do they have live music?

Yes, the pub regularly hosts free live music gigs and residencies, including Friday evening and Sunday afternoon sets.

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