Matilda Bay

With twelve different taps (one of which being given over to cider), the new bar within the unassuming Matilda Bay building enters straight at the top of Port Melbourne's best beer sampling venues. Their claim that it's a 400m walk from North Port tram stop is council-like fantasy (Google Maps makes it 900m), but that's still closer than the Cricketers Arms.

Situated within a fenced-off section of the working brewery, this bar is unlikely to feel incredibly cosy, but it does have an undeniably cool feel to it, with its fanatical bar staff and even three unfiltered taps fed straight from the vats. A decent wine list and coffee machine widen the appeal, so the main stumbling block to success at the moment would seem to be the wacky opening hours (it's currently easier to sample a beer for breakfast than for dinner).

Beers on tap: Bohemian Pilsner, Redback, Beez Knees, Fat Yak, Alpha Pale Ale, Dogbolter, IGP, Port Lager, Bertie St Porter and Abbey Collabey!!
Wine range: $8.50 - $11
Parma: No
Gastro: No
Tradie vs Yuppy: No Carlton Draught, but no pretentions either