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Restaurant

The Acorn Bar & Restaurant

375 Forest Rd, The Basin VIC 3154, Australia

Recommended by 43 people

Updated

Find The Acorn Bar & Restaurant

375 Forest Rd, The Basin VIC 3154, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9762 8668
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM Friday: 4:30 – 11:00 PM Saturday: 4:30 PM – 12:00 AM Sunday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About The Acorn Bar & Restaurant

Tucked right at the foothills of the Dandenongs, this local pub pairs hearty counter-style dining with live bands and an open dance floor. Regulars make a night of it—grabbing pints and plates of lamb cutlets, calamari, or a classic parma before the covers kick in and crowds fill the room. Out on the deck, the vibe slows down just enough to catch the sunset, while dedicated back rooms handle milestone birthdays with tailored setups. Owner Tony works the floor alongside an attentive crew, making newcomers feel instantly folded into the neighborhood.

  • Live Bands & Dancing: Live cover and tribute bands take over the room on weekends, bringing energetic sets and an open dance floor.
  • Private Functions & Events: Private function room and deck spaces cater to milestone birthdays and gatherings with dedicated event coordination.
  • Hearty Pub Fare: A generous menu covers pub favorites, from chicken souvlaki and grilled lamb cutlets to burgers and calamari.
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What's On at The Acorn Bar & Restaurant

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Guests Choose The Acorn Bar & Restaurant

From lively rock nights and seamless private celebrations to genuinely warm hospitality at the foothills.

  • Pub Dining Paired with Energetic Live Bands

    Evenings transition seamlessly from hearty pub fare and drinks into full-energy sets from cover and tribute acts that get guests moving.

    Staff are friendly and the band was great. Danced the night away!

    Michael Hoeboer

  • A Vibrant, Full-Venue Dance Atmosphere

    Guests gather for rock hits and tribute shows where crowds of all ages sing along and dance through the night.

    The whole venue was up dancing from start to finish.

    angelique goldie

  • Tailored Function Spaces and Custom Styling

    Organizers can reserve private event quarters complete with personalized color-themed styling and generous catering spreads.

    She also decorated the function space according to our preferred colour scheme.

    Fred Koch

  • Flexible, Stress-Free Party Planning

    The venue provides attentive event coordination and accommodates special scheduling requests to keep parties stress-free.

    They made whole experience so easy. They opened up early on a saturday to cater for us at our request.

    brett milburn

  • Warm, Hands-On Host Hospitality

    Guests consistently highlight the genuine personal greeting and attentiveness delivered directly by the owner and floor team.

    Tony is the most welcoming host and we felt at home from the moment we arrived.

    Chris Moorfoot

  • Attentive Care for Multi-Generational Groups

    Staff actively accommodate multi-generational family groups, ensuring diners of all ages feel looked after and comfortable.

    Immediately we were greeted by the loveliest staff member Liz, who encouraged us to sit in the quiet area.

    Audrey Barker

Hearty pub favorites enjoyed alongside live music and celebrations

  • Lamb Cutlets

    had the lamb cutlets for a main which were fantastic 5 star!!!

    Bonnie Morgan

  • Steak

    steaks are cooked to perfection

    Adam C

  • Calamari

    we ordered the calamari for entree which was beautifully seasoned including the salad

    Bonnie Morgan

  • Chicken Souvlaki

    My husband had the Chicken Souvlaki and I had the Lamb Cutlets and both meals were absolutely amazing.

    Hermione Young

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality moments and personalized event touches that elevate your visit.

  • Owner Visits with Scratchie Gifts

    During celebration bookings, the owner personally visits private groups on the deck to thank them for choosing the venue and offers scratch cards as a fun welcome gesture.

  • Custom Color-Themed Room Styling

    Event coordinators tailor private function rooms by decorating the space to match guests' exact preferred color schemes.

  • Early Opening for Private Events

    To accommodate special events like engagement parties, the team agrees to open the venue early on a Saturday upon request.

  • Proactive Quiet Seating for Families

    When multi-generational families arrive during high-energy band nights, staff immediately steer guests with young children to a quieter dedicated area for comfort.

Before you head over

Practical advice for dinner, parking, and live music nights

  • Reserve Ahead for Dinner and Bands

    Tables fill quickly and the room is never quiet on busy band nights, so book in advance to secure dinner seating before performances begin.

  • Check Parking Options in Advance

    Street spaces can be limited during peak hours, but guests can find parking out back, on the street, or across the road. Note that dedicated disabled bays are not available.

  • Choose Your Zone for Noise Comfort

    The front band area gets loud once live sets kick off at 8 pm, so request seating on the deck or in the separate quiet area if dining with kids or chatting.

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