The biggest day on the Aussie sporting calendar is almost here, and whether you’re a die-hard fan or just keen for the atmosphere, the AFL Grand Final is best watched with a crowd, a cold drink, and something tasty in hand.
Luckily, pubs, bars and open-air screens across the country are throwing open their doors and cranking up the volume so you don’t miss a detail – there are mega screens, laneway parties, rooftop sessions, and classic beer garden vibes ready to host you and your mates. Think: Parmi specials, bottomless drink packages, giant LED screens, and even handball competitions to keep the energy high.
After the final siren, the celebrations will keep rolling too — with DJs, live bands and afterparties taking you well into the night. So if you're not settling in to watch the match at home via Channel 7 or Kayo, we’ve rounded up the best places around Australia to watch the 2025 AFL Grand Final this weekend.
NSW
Philter Public Bar (Marrickville)
Philter has a dedicated sports bar playing all the big games at their inner-west warehouse taproom. There's two screens here (both with great sound systems), and if you're feeling peckish alongside their 12-strong lineup of in-house craft beers, you can snack on their full menu of wings, burgs and pizzas, prawn tacos and hot dogs.
Sackville Hotel (Rozelle)
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The Sackville will be playing the game live and loud on the big screens, with $15 VB jugs all season, $60 Tinnie Towers (stacked with pies, sausage rolls, chips, and four VB tinnies), plus a buzzing neighbourhood atmosphere for both the AFL and NRL Grand Finals (18+ only).
The London (Paddington)
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Conveniently located to all the action of Oxford street, and a favourite for AFL watching all season, The London is a coveted spot to watch the final unfold. If you've left it too late to score a booking, they also allocate a selection of tables for walk-ins on game day, so you just might get lucky.
QLD
Regatta Hotel (Brisbane)
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Regatta Hotel is serving up a Finals Footy Feast from 4–27 September with big screens in the Courtyard and Main Bar, cold drinks, and a shareable menu of brisket nachos, banh mi, jalapeño poppers, sausage rolls, skewers, and meatball subs to fuel you while you watch all the action (18+ only).
Burleigh Town Hotel (Gold Coast)
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Home to one of the largest screens in the Southern Hemisphere, Burleigh Town Hotel was voted Australia’s Best Sports Bar (if that's enough to convince you of its merits). They've got cold beers on tap, delicious footy food specials, and unbeatable game day atmosphere. Definitely book ahead (18+ only).
The Dock (Mooloolaba)
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The Dock will screen the 2025 AFL Grand Final live and loud from 2pm with a $20 pizza and pint deal, handball competitions before the game and at halftime for a $100 voucher, plus live music and cold drinks after the final siren, with both bookings and walk-ins welcome (18+ only).
VIC
Fed Square (Melbourne)
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You can catch this year's AFL Grand Final on the five-storey digital LED screen in Federation Square from 12pm – and visit the pop-up snack bar on site. There's tiered seating, and entry is free.
The Posty (Cremorne)
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The Posty is celebrating the event with an AFL Grand Final Laneway Party on Swan Street, which is set to feature the game live and loud from 10am on the suburb’s only megascreen, followed by an all-night post-game celebration with drinks and music (18+ only).
Richmond Club Hotel (Richmond)
Richmond Club will show the AFL Grand Final on every screen this weekend, with DJs upstairs, acoustic sets downstairs, and a buzzing atmosphere all day, with both bookings and walk-ins welcome (18+ only).
SA
Brighton Metro Hotel (Adelaide)
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The Brighton Metro Hotel Beer Garden will screen the 2025 AFL Grand Final from 2:30pm on their massive outdoor screen, with an $80 package including bottomless tap beers, house wine, soft drinks, and a $20 food voucher, or general reservations available (18+ only).
The Stag (Adelaide)
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The Stag Public House in Adelaide will show the AFL Grand Final live and loud on the big screens with an $89 siren-to-siren drinks package including unlimited beers and house wines from first bounce to final siren, food available to purchase, balcony viewing, and doors open from 12 pm for ticket holders only (18+, no refunds, limited spots).
WA
The Aviary (Perth)
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The open-air rooftop's big LED screen will be showcasing the final, with live entertainment after the game taking you into the evening. While you're watching, enjoy cocktails, beers and pizzas – but spaces are limited, so book in quickly. (18+ only).
Claremont Hotel (Claremont)
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The Claremont Hotel is offering group packages for the AFL Grand Final with reserved tables, sharing platters, and drinks tabs for groups of up to 40, plus general reservations and an afterparty on the Rooftop once the final siren sounds (18+ only). There are multiple screens indoors to watch from too.
NT
Silks Darwin (Darwin)
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Silks Darwin will show the AFL Grand Final live on its big screens with food and drink specials running all day, and live music on the Deck after the game. Doors are open to both bookings and walk-ins, but tables are expected to fill quickly (18+ only).
ACT
Assembly (Canberra)
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Assembly will have extra screens set up for the game on Saturday, and after it finishes there will be a happy hour from 6 pm in the beer garden. There's also live music on every weekend.
TAS
The Telegraph Hotel (Hobart)
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Catch the AFL Grand Final live on every screen across both the Ground Floor and Rooftop with $25 Parmi’s all day, plus live music and DJs after the game for an unbeatable atmosphere (18+ only, bookings essential).
