Mate's Table
Subscribe
Create
Share with the community

What would you like to make?

Add a recommendationShare a place worth gathering around.Create a guideBuild a useful list for your city.
For business

Restaurant

Natural History Bar & Grill

401 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Recommended by 75 people

Updated

Find Natural History Bar & Grill

401 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9982 1811
HoursMonday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Tuesday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Friday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 4:00 – 10:00 PM Sunday: Closed

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

Book Now

About Natural History Bar & Grill

Set inside 401 Collins, this moody CBD bar pairs museum-grade taxidermy displays with pints of Asahi poured under suspended copper stills. Broad timber bar. Matchbooks preserved under glass. Office crowds slip in for weeknight steak deals, quick 45-minute lunch bookings, or large shared banquets handled smoothly by seasoned floor staff. Kitchen staples lean hearty—crisp chicken parmas, charred broccoli, and flank steak served alongside garlic butter and crunchy fries. By twilight, the mood pivots toward Frosty Fruit cocktails and sing-alongs by the grand piano.

  • Museum-Themed Decor: Full-wall specimen cases, mounted wildlife displays, and vintage matchbooks under the bar glass give the room an eccentric natural history museum backdrop.
  • Weeknight Steak Specials: Dedicated weeknight specials serve seared cuts like flank steak with garlic butter, crunchy fries, and salad around the twenty-dollar mark.
  • Corporate Functions & Fast Lunches: Sprawling layout and attentive service built for hassle-free team banquets, shared dietary plates, and swift 45-minute CBD lunch breaks.
RestaurantAustralianPubRestaurantBarCocktail Bar

What's On at Natural History Bar & Grill

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose Natural History Bar & Grill

From prompt business lunches to memorable team banquets surrounded by natural history exhibits.

  • Seamless Team and Corporate Event Hosting

    Organizers booking corporate gatherings and team events receive swift service, accommodating dietary coordination, and attentive hosting.

    We had a large work reservation and the booking process was very smooth and hassle free, food came out very fast and everyone enjoyed all their dishes, service was attentive and the venue it’s impressive.

    Lina Acosta

  • Attentive Support for Group Dining and Banquets

    Banquet dining and group celebrations run smoothly with proactive staff who handle dietary requirements and solve unexpected issues.

    All our needs were met and when we had an issue (of our own making) they stepped in and found a solution that was incredibly helpful.

    Mark Hill

  • Immersive Museum Exhibition Setting

    Full-wall museum exhibition displays and taxidermy installations create an engaging backdrop that serves as an instant conversation starter.

    You feel like you're in a museum amongst all the exhibits. It's the place I take all my out of town friends.

    J McK

  • Lively After-Work Entertainment and Drinks

    Guests unwind after work with live entertainment like grand piano performances where patrons gather and sing along to song requests.

    The Piano Man came on at 7pm and I, along with the rest of the group moved to the stools surrounding the grand piano. We had a great time, submitting our song requests and singing along.

    Karen Edwards

  • Efficient 45-Minute CBD Lunch Breaks

    CBD professionals get in and out within lunch break limits thanks to quick service, tailored dietary options, and separate bill capabilities.

    We were served and finished within 45 minutes which met our lunch break perfectly.

    Jill Bartholomeusz

  • Fast-Paced Value Lunch Specials

    Affordable lunch deals pairing mains with drinks provide rapid, dependable workday dining right in the heart of Collins Street.

    Lunch special which includes a drink is good value for $20.

    Bill Mrozek

Signature pub classics and grill dishes

  • Steak special

    I regularly go here for the $20 steak night which is insane value and the quality of the steak is superb.

    Michael Nguyen

  • Parmigiana

    Our parmas were well made and not dry at all

    Sab Ayyappan

  • Twice cooked pork belly

    I had the twice cooked pork belly and it was divine.

    Lizzy888 Lizard

  • Chicken tenders

    Food was delicious (highly recommend the chicken tenders)

    Stephen Q

Other favorites

Sides, starters, and signature drinks

  • Broccoli

    I had the broccoli which was cooked and seasoned perfectly.. so yummy.

    Donney p

  • Eggplant chips

    I particularly enjoyed the chicken parma and eggplant chips.

    Ronni Scrapsaver

  • Croquettes with chorizo

    i opted for an entree of croquettes with chorizo, which was very nice.

    Karen Edwards

  • Frosty Fruit

    Frosty Fruit is a cocktail I will fondly miss and will likely bug some bartender to recreate in the near future.

    Winnie Goh

Beyond the menu

Attentive function coordination, custom dietary care, and live entertainment that enhance your visit

  • Individual Vegan Preparation & Consultation

    For group dinners and work functions with vegan attendees, staff serve dedicated individually plated mains like whole roast head of cauliflower and explain how the dish was prepared.

  • Tailored Dietary Parmigianas for Express Lunch

    During timed lunch breaks, the kitchen prepares tailored vegetarian and vegan parmigianas to suit dietary restrictions, ensuring guests finish comfortably within 45 minutes.

  • Grand Piano Live Requests & Sing-Along

    On Friday evenings, a live piano player performs at the grand piano, inviting guests to gather around on bar stools, submit song requests, and sing along.

  • Hands-On Problem Solving for Work Banquets

    During group corporate events and Christmas banquets, staff actively intervene when unexpected host-side scheduling or logistical hitches occur to find workable on-the-spot solutions.

Before you head over

Practical tips on timing, add-on pricing, and dining ambiance

  • Beat the Midday Lunch Rush

    If visiting for midday drinks or meals, arrive early before the midday rush hits Collins Street, as tables fill rapidly during peak CBD lunch hours.

  • Budget for Extra Sauces

    Extra condiments and specialty sauces are billed separately with menu items, so factor in minor add-on charges when planning steak or side orders.

  • Prepare for Dimly Lit Menus

    The dining room maintains mood-lit, atmospheric lighting that can make physical menus challenging to read; keep your phone light handy if needed.

Explore more places in Melbourne

Find familiar flavours, neighbourhood favourites and somewhere new in Melbourne.

Similar places

More places for the flavours and food you enjoy.

Discover more in Melbourne

Explore another side of the city's food and drink.

Browse all Melbourne venues