Sailors' Rest

The building itself is worth knowing about before you even sit down. Built in 1913 to a design by Geelong architect Percy Everett, it was originally run by a temperance organisation to keep visiting sailors away from the pubs and gambling dens of the port. The irony of it now housing one of Geelong’s best bars isn’t lost on anyone. The nautical art nouveau detailing survives, and the heritage-listed electric sign out front — installed in 1926 — is reportedly the oldest of its kind still operating in Victoria.

These days, Sailor’s Rest is spread across three very different levels, so the experience changes depending on when you visit. Ground floor is the family-friendly restaurant, open daily for lunch and dinner with a globally inspired menu built around locally sourced seafood — the fish and chips and grilled barramundi get singled out often, alongside heartier options like slow-cooked lamb shank for anyone after something less coastal. The outdoor alfresco area here looks straight out over the bay, and the beer garden out back is built for families and footy crowds alike.

Head up a level and the mood shifts. The lounge bar opens on weekends from 3pm with cocktails, shared grazing boards, and DJs — a different crowd entirely to the downstairs dinner service. And then there’s the rooftop, the only one of its kind right on Geelong’s waterfront, where the Friday night “Set Sail” sessions have become something of a local institution. If you’re after sundowners with a view, this is the spot.

Whatever level you end up on, the venue manages something a lot of multi-purpose spaces don’t: each floor feels intentional rather than bolted together as an afterthought.