Melbourne’s iconic Turf Bar to call last drinks after Boxing Day test
After 25 years of pouring pints, cheering on big games and hosting countless late-night stories, Melbourne’s iconic Turf Bar is getting ready to call last drinks.
The Queen St sports pub — set inside the same historic building where the notorious Great Bookie Robbery went down — will shut its doors next month after its lease came to an end.
Venue manager Joe Magri said the reaction from regulars has been equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking.
“There’s been an outpouring of emotion. We’ve built up a fantastic and loyal following over the years and have always strived to create a true local feel for our punters in the CBD,” Magri said.
“There has also been an increase in bookings as people take the opportunity for one last pint or parma and to say goodbye.”
The building itself has always been part of the bar’s charm. Once home to the Victorian Club — founded by bookmakers in 1926 — it was the site of the infamous 1976 heist where six armed men made off with up to $14 million.
The loot was never recovered, and no one was ever convicted. Turf kept the nod to its past alive with old signs and memorabilia scattered throughout.
Earlier this year the bar celebrated its 25th birthday, and across the decades became a favourite for travelling sports fans, from the Barmy Army to British and Irish Lions supporters. But now, management says it’s time to say farewell.
“Whether your memories are from our famous party nights like Bedlam Wednesdays or Friday Flashbacks, iconic sporting events like Super Bowl, AFL Finals, huge rugby and soccer matches or simply long corporate lunches that lasted into the evening, we all have fantastic memories of the venue,” the venue said in a statement.
“We’ll still be showing live sport including the Ashes series but only up to the end of the Melbourne Test.”
News of the closure has sparked a flood of nostalgia online, with hundreds of fans sharing their favourite Turf moments.
For many long-time NFL followers, Turf was once the only spot showing the Super Bowl live — and getting in required serious dedication.
“For a long time for us long-standing NFL fans, this used to be the only place that showed the Super Bowl … if you wanted a table you basically had to reserve it 10 months out and a good spot would cost you a 7am line-up time,” another said.
“It was an awesome time and the atmosphere was unmatched.”
Turf Bar will wrap up service at the end of the Boxing Day Test.
Jonathan Jackson, 17th November 2025
