Williamstown has no shortage of spots to grab a drink. But when locals want more than just a cold one and a bowl of chips, they always end up at the same place. 39 Cecil Street. A Williamstown pub that’s been sitting on that corner since 1859, doing its thing with expertise that’s hard to find anywhere else. Originally called the Shamrock Hotel, it became The Stags Head Hotel in the late 1860s, and the name has stuck ever since. The Bennett family, Rosie and Brett, have carefully restored the space. They’ve kept the heritage bones intact while breathing fresh energy into the rooms. The original heavy timber doors still swing open to welcome anyone looking for a decent drink and a good meal. 

The food situation 

Pub menus in Melbourne’s west follow a formula. Parma, burger, fish and chips, done. The Stags do have those — and they’re absolutely mouthwatering — but the kitchen goes further than that. 

The veal parmigiana here ($39) comes with buffalo mozzarella, applewood smoked ham, and something called “the daddy” sauce. The 12-hour slow-roasted lamb shoulder ($38) is paired with green harissa, pomegranate tabbouleh, falafel, and labneh. The kitchen clearly has range. 

Starters that also hit the mark: pork belly ‘bits ‘n’ bobs’ with housemade XO chilli and chef Aom’s nam jim, or the open lamb kebab with beetroot hummus and Persian feta on Cyprus bread. You could skip the main entirely and eat your way through the entrees; no one would judge you. 

The kitchen doesn’t forget those with dietary requirements either. There are plenty of dairy free, vegan and vegetarian options, as well as gluten-free. There’s also a dedicated kids menu with all the favourites priced at $12 each. The Stag’s is becoming a lunchtime hot spot too, with a workers lunch and seniors menu that goes beyond the usual offerings, all served up with warm and friendly customer service. With the menu updated seasonally, plus a weekly specials board, there’s always a fresh selection to keep you coming back for more, but don’t worry, the classics are always available. 

The beverage situation 

The usual suspects are there, of course, but there’s also a rotating selection of craft, local and international beers on, not to mention a thoughtfully curated wine list with something for every palate and occasion. Call ahead if you want to know exactly what’s pouring before you make the trip to this Williamstown pub. 

What makes it work on a practical level is how the beverage sits inside the weekly rhythm of the place. Tuesday Pot and Pie night pairs a free pot with the pie of the day. Thursday Parma and Pot does the same with the chicken parma, chips and slaw, all in for $28, which is genuinely one of the best pub dinners you’ll find in the area for that price. Wednesday night Steak & Grape is one of the most popular steak nights in town, with a top– quality porterhouse, chips and salad for $28, and you can add a glass of house red or white for $8. Friday from 5 to 6pm there’s Toss the Boss, an Aussie pub tradition where you flip a coin for a free beer. It sounds like a pub gimmick until you’re on a winning streak at the front bar on a Friday afternoon and realise you’ve somehow ended up staying for dinner. 

Beyond the taps and the wine, the drinks list covers all the usual , spirits and cocktails. The bar staff know what they’re doing with all of it.

The space itself 

Even after the renovations, stepping through the doors still feels familiar. The work was done with deep respect for the building’s nineteenth-century roots and all the rich period joinery and original architectural details were left intact. 

During the colder months, two crackling log fires anchors the front bar and lounge area, drawing people in from the sharp coastal chill. Pull up a chair at the bar and have a cold one with the locals, or nab the comfy sofa in front of the fire with a bottle of red, if you’re lucky! Come summer, the dynamic flips entirely. The generously sized beer garden out the front is bustling and the vibe is summer all over, making it one of the better outdoor beer garden spots in Williamstown for catching that late-afternoon bay breeze – the kind of afternoon that starts as a quick knock-off drink and turns into dinner without anyone planning it. The back garden has had a recent facelift, and now offers a fantastic private space, perfect for all occasions. Come in and check it out for your next function or event, or give the friendly team at the Stag’s a call. 

The layout strikes a rare balance. Spacious enough for a loud group, intimate enough that the floor staff actually remember who is sitting where. For anyone hunting for a local pubs with a beer gardens that doesn’t feel like an afterthought, the front terrace here is the real thing. 

Conclusion 

Williamstown has plenty of pubs. Not many of them have been at it since 1859 (or 1849 if you count the original timber structure), cook a 12-hour lamb shoulder, and still find time to run a Tuesday pot and pie night and offer live music at the weekends. That’s a decent track record. If you haven’t been in a while, or haven’t been at all, it is absolutely worth the trip. 

Weekends fill up. The Stags Head Hotel takes bookings through Open Table and by phone at (03) 9100 1955, and the functions spaces handles private events including birthdays, work dinners, and group occasions. The Bennett family runs the place personally, and that comes through in how things are managed on the floor. 

FAQ’S 

Q. Why is The Stags Head Hotel considered one of the best pubs in Williamstown?  

A. It has been part of the Williamstown community since 1859, the food menu goes well beyond standard pub fare and there is something on almost every night of the week. 

Q. What tap beers are available at The Stags Head Hotel?  

A. Tap beer features across the weekly specials. Check the current menu or call ahead on (03) 9100 1955 to find out what is pouring on that specific day. 

Q. Does The Stags Head Hotel offer a variety of pub meals? 

A. The menu covers share plates, pub classics, and more thoughtful mains like slow-roasted lamb shoulder with green harissa and pomegranate tabbouleh. There’s also a dedicated kids menu available, plus a selection of weekly specials. 

Q. Is The Stags Head Hotel suitable for family dining?  

A. Monday is Kids Eat Free night, the kids menu is $12 per dish, and the space comfortably fits groups of various numbers effortlessly. 

Q. What makes The Stags Head Hotel a popular local favourite in Williamstown?  

A. The weekly specials give regulars a reason to come back on different nights, and the Bennett family’s hands-on approach keeps the standard consistent and the customer service second-to-none. 

Q. Are there vegetarian and gluten-free options available on the menu?  

A. Yes. Current options include the halloumi saganaki (GF), the soba noodle bowl (V), and the broadbean falafel salad (GF, DF, V). 

Q. Does The Stags Head Hotel host live music or entertainment events?  

A. Trivia runs on the first Saturday of the month, open mic on the last Saturday, and live music plays in the front bar on Sunday afternoons from 4 to 7pm, as well as certain Saturday nights. 

Q. Can I book a table at The Stags Head Hotel for special occasions?  

A. Yes. Bookings are available through OpenTable or by calling (03) 9100 1955. Function spaces are also available for private events. 

Q. What are the most popular food and drink options at The Stags Head Hotel?  

A. The chicken parmigiana, veal parmigiana, Angus beef burger, and the Thursday Parma and Pot deal see strong repeat orders. The Sunday roast is consistently busy. 

Q. Why is The Stags Head Hotel a great place to enjoy a cold beer and great food in Williamstown? 

A. The food is taken very seriously, the drinks list is vast and very good, and the pub has been earning its local reputation for well over a century.