A local’s guide to The Vic Hotel Footscray, a classic pub on Victoria Street that has been serving the neighbourhood since 1870. This guide covers the pub’s history, what makes it unique, its happy hour and food specials, and what recent visitors have to say, so you can decide if it’s your next local.

Last checked: 2026-07-03

Established: 1870 · Type: Pub, bar, and restaurant · Address: 43 Victoria Street, Footscray VIC 3011, Australia · Notable claim: Proudly serving Footscray since 1870

The Vic Hotel Footscray at a glance

1 Over 150 years of history

• The hotel building was originally constructed in 1870 (The Vic Hotel Footscray About)

2 Owned by a boxing champion

• The pub was once owned by Australian heavyweight boxing champion Bill Lang (The Vic Hotel Footscray About)

3 Rebirth in 2018

• Renamed Harts Hotel in 1941, it was reborn as The Vic in 2018 after a major renovation (The Vic Hotel Footscray About)

4 A community hub

• Describes itself as a classic pub premises with both indoor and outdoor seating (TripAdvisor)

Fact	Detail
Established	1870
Type	Pub, bar, and restaurant
Address	43 Victoria Street, Footscray VIC 3011, Australia
Phone	+61 3 9224 6168
Notable claim	Proudly serving Footscray since 1870
Former name	Harts Hotel (1941–2018)
Ownership history	Australian heavyweight boxing champion Bill Lang; later Dennis Hart

What Makes The Vic Hotel Footscray Unique?

What sets The Vic apart from other Footscray pubs is its combination of deep local history and a recent transformation that has kept its working-class character intact. The official website states the hotel building was originally constructed in 1870 (The Vic Hotel Footscray About). The Westsider describes it as one of the oldest continuously operated pubs in the Footscray area, built in the 1870s, later burned down and rebuilt in the 1890s, then demolished and reconstructed in its present form in the 1920s (The Westsider).

Under new ownership in 2017, the pub removed its TAB, knocked out some walls, and modernised its beer and wine offer, yet retained the spirit of a working-class pub and strong pub hospitality, according to 3AW’s Pub of the Week review in July 2024 (3AW). Mamma Knows West describes the Vic as a pub that still feels like a pub, with an updated space that retains an original feel and a dimly lit main bar with booth and bar seating (Mamma Knows West).

Oldest pub in Footscray?

While The Vic on Victoria Street is one of the oldest continuously operated pubs in the area, it is not the first “Victoria Hotel” in Footscray. The Living Museum of the West notes that the earliest licence for a Victoria Hotel in Footscray dates back to 1839 at a different location, on the corner of Bunbury Street and Maribyrnong Street (Living Museum of the West). That earlier hotel was located on the waterfront and later occupied by other inns.

A community hub since 1870

The Vic became a community anchor through ownership by local figures. The pub was once owned by Australian heavyweight boxing champion Bill Lang (The Vic Hotel Footscray About). The Westsider article specifies that Lang bought the hotel in the 1920s, demolished the existing structure and some neighbouring houses, and built the base of the current hotel building (The Westsider). In 1941, Dennis Hart bought the pub from Lang and renamed it Harts Hotel, adding a sign that can still be seen on the building today.

Pub atmosphere and decor

3AW describes the front bar at The Vic as cavernous with an expansive horseshoe-shaped bar, concrete floors, timber furnishings, neat brick walls, banquette seating, and a backdrop of British pop music from the 1960s to the 1990s (3AW).

Does The Vic Hotel Footscray Have a Happy Hour?

Yes, The Vic Hotel Footscray offers regular happy hour and food specials that are well-documented. WhatDo’s listing for Vic Hotel notes a Tuesday happy hour special where chicken or mushroom parma with chips and salad is offered between 5:30 pm and 9:00 pm, along with discounted drinks: $5 pots, $10 pints, $8 prosecco, $12 spritz, and $20 cocktails from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm (WhatDo). The happiesthour.com listing also presents the venue as a pub with specials and happy hour offerings (The Happiest Hour).

Happy hour timings and food specials

3AW’s 2024 review notes weekly value offers at The Vic, including steak nights on Monday, parma nights on Tuesday, trivia on Wednesday, and a happy hour featuring $5 pots as part of the pub’s effort to embrace its local community (3AW).

What is typically included in a happy hour?

Based on the available data, the happy hour window runs from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on the days it is offered. The standard happy hour drink deals include $5 pots, $10 pints, $8 prosecco, $12 spritz, and $20 cocktails. The Tuesday parma special runs from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm.

What is the History of The Vic Hotel Footscray?

The history of The Vic Hotel Footscray is a multi-layered story of fire, boxing champions, and a 2017 revival. According to the hotel’s own about page, the building was originally constructed in 1870 (The Vic Hotel Footscray About). The Westsider details that the original pub burned down and was rebuilt in the 1890s, before being demolished and reconstructed in its present form in the 1920s (The Westsider).

Founded in 1870

The original construction date of 1870 makes it one of the oldest surviving pub buildings in Footscray. This founding era placed it in the early days of Footscray’s development, when Victoria Street was becoming a main thoroughfare.

The Bill Lang era

Australian heavyweight boxing champion Bill Lang bought the hotel in the 1920s. He demolished the existing structure and some neighbouring houses to build the base of the current hotel building (The Westsider). Lang was a notable figure in Melbourne sports history, and his ownership gave the pub a unique character connected to the city’s boxing scene.

Harts Hotel (1941–2018)

In 1941, Dennis Hart bought the pub from Lang and renamed it Harts Hotel. The Westsider notes that a sign from this era can still be seen on the building today (The Westsider). The hotel building was expanded again after the 1960s to take on its current physical form. The hotel remained as Harts Hotel until its rebirth in 2018 as The Vic (The Vic Hotel Footscray About).

The 2017 renovation

Timber Revival’s project case study states that the Victoria Hotel Footscray was taken over by the owners of the Builder’s Arms in Fitzroy and reopened after renovation in December 2017 with a modern look that nods to its original eclectic charm (Timber Revival). Mamma Knows West notes that the Vic was renovated and rejuvenated in 2017 (Mamma Knows West). The current ownership team includes Andy from Luxsmith, Denis from Bottega, and Ashley from Copperpot, suggesting a strong local hospitality pedigree behind the Vic’s contemporary food offering.

What’s On at The Vic Hotel Footscray?

The Vic positions itself as a neighbourhood pub for “drinks, footy, great food, and good times,” according to its official description. The weekly schedule includes a range of events and specials.

Weekly food specials and events

• Monday: Steak night
• Tuesday: Parma night (5:30 pm–9:00 pm, with $5 pots from 4:00 pm–6:00 pm)
• Wednesday: Trivia
• Happy hour: 4:00 pm–6:00 pm on advertised days, featuring $5 pots, $10 pints, $8 prosecco, $12 spritz, and $20 cocktails

Live music and footy screening

The pub advertises itself as a venue for AFL (footy) screening, and Mamma Knows West notes it has both indoor and outdoor dining areas, which makes it suitable for watching the game (Mamma Knows West). The presence of a large bar and multiple seating areas suggests it can accommodate groups for match days.

Alternatives to The Vic Hotel Footscray

If you are exploring other options in the area, several nearby pubs offer a similar classic pub experience. The table below compares The Vic with three other well-known hotels in the vicinity.

Name	Address	Established	Atmosphere
The Vic Hotel Footscray	43 Victoria Street, Footscray	1870	Classic, renovated, horseshoe bar
The Footscray Hotel	143–145 Nicholson Street, Footscray	Not verified	Traditional sports pub
The Vic Hotel Yarraville	Not verified	Not verified	Suburban local
Victoria Hotel Seddon	Not verified	Not verified	Classic corner pub

Location and Getting There

The Vic Hotel Footscray is located at 43 Victoria Street, Footscray VIC 3011, Australia (The Vic Hotel Footscray About). It sits on one of the main streets of Footscray, within walking distance of Footscray Station (approximately a 10-minute walk) and Middle Footscray Station. The 406, 410, and 220 bus routes serve the area.

The pub offers both on-street parking and nearby public parking options. Given its position on Victoria Street, it is easily accessible by foot from the central Footscray shopping area.