If you’re in Melbourne during the Australian Open but don’t have a ticket to go to the grounds, you’ll still be able to watch matches easily at the multitude of bars and live sites that are showing the tennis on TV and on big screens.
Here’s a selection of some of my favourite Melbourne places to watch the Australian Open.
1. Duke of Wellington
This pub is located on the corner of Flinders Street and Russell Street and is showing all Australian Open matches live on TV. As it’s only a short walk, or two stops on the Free Aus Open tramline, from Melbourne Park, it’s a great option if you want to stop for a meal or a drink while heading to, or from, the tennis. They have lunch specials and Happy Hour from 4-6pm every day.
Visit the Duke website and also find out the dining experience at Dutchess, which is located upstairs.
2. Federation Square Live Site
As well as showing Australian Open matches on their big screen, Fed Square has a range of tennis activities happening during the day including Tennis Hot Shots, Kia Dome and a Wilson Marquee. And don’t miss out on the Australia Day sausage sizzle!
You can walk to Melbourne Park easily from Fed Square either along the river, or via Flinders Street.
Find out more on the Fed Square website.
3. Crown Live Site
For the last few years there has been an Australian Open live site at Crown but this year looks to be the biggest and best!
They have two big screens where you can watch tennis live broadcasts, and a range of pop up venues providing food and drinks.
Find out more about the Foxtel Sports Hub at Crown.
4. South Wharf Live Site
South Wharf is the group of cafes and restaurants near the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centres and the DFO shops. All the cafes and restaurants in this area offer great food and drink combined with great service.
South Wharf has a live site outside Common Man where you can watch Channel 7’s tennis broadcast and enjoy food from pop up kitchens from some of the South Wharf restaurants.
Read more about the South Wharf Live Site.
Gasolina in South Wharf offers delicious American style food and drinks and will be showing the Australian Open on TV.
South Wharf Live Site Promotion
Where do you like to watch Australian Open on TV around the Melbourne CBD?
Hi! I just came across your blog and I must say it’s a wonderful source of tennis info! I have a question that I’m hoping you might be able to help me with. My hubby got ground passes for the AO but didn’t realize that they’re for the day of the finals on Saturday 31st. Will there still be other matches happening that day outside the paying courts? Or would we be better off getting a court pass for early next week? It’s our first time attending the AO so I want to make sure we make the most of it 🙂
Thanks Pearl. I think there will be Juniors matches still in play on the 31st, plus there will be a live band as part of the Women’s final entertainment. If you want to see other players in singles matches on outside courts you’ll need to go by next Monday (the last day of Round 4). Hope that helps. Enjoy!
That’s what I thought, I guess we made a rookie mistake by buying court passes for the day of the finals 😉 Oh well, we’ll probably buy some more tickets then. You can never watch too much tennis, right? 🙂
Thanks for answering my question!