From Sunday roasts to steak nights: The best pub specials in Western Victoria

“Pub special” — two truly wonderful words.

It’s the perfect intersection of value, comfort, and community spirit, and thankfully here in Victoria’s west we’ve plenty of great pubs sporting some truly solid deals.

From Sunday roasts to steak nights, parma deals to free kids' meals, we've rounded up the best weekday and weekend specials across our region's watering holes.

Reckon we’ve missed any? We’ll be constantly updating this list. So give us a shout at [email protected] — we’re all ears.

Seanchai Irish Bar - Warrnambool

Twenty bucks doesn't buy much these days, but at The Shan on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, it gets you a proper feed and something to wash it down. Their "Easy Feeds" special offers a medium Bojangles Pizza with your choice of a schooner of beer or glass of wine — all for $20. 

62 Liebig St, Warrnambool

Open: Tuesday-Wednesday 4-11pm, Thursday 4pm-2am, Friday-Saturday 4pm-3am. Closed Sunday-Monday

Rafferty's Tavern - Warrnambool

A week's worth of deals means your wallet gets as much of a break as you do.

Mondays bring $17 stir-fries with your choice of protein and sauce (up to 20 combinations), while on Tuesdays kids eat free with any main ordered.

Wednesday’s all-day steak special features a 300g porterhouse for $22.90, and Thursday's parma selection starts from $22 with a $55 family deal that feeds four.

The "Tradies Lunch" adds another option — any bar meal with a schooner of beer or soft drink for $24, Monday to Friday.

Their Thursday and Friday "Pluck a Penguin" raffle offers prizes for the kids, with free face painting from 5:30pm on family night. The two-floor jumping castle setup means you might actually get to finish a conversation while the kids burn energy elsewhere.

1145 Raglan Parade, Warrnambool 

Open: Monday-Thursday 10am-1am, Friday-Saturday 10am-2am, Sunday 10am-1am

Cally Hotel - Warrnambool

Daily meal deals make the Cally a solid bet for budget dining in central Warrnambool.

Sundays feature a $35 takeaway family roast lamb with veg, while Mondays and Tuesdays bring family lasagna with chips and salad for the same price.

Tuesday's steak night serves up a Union Station Scotch for $29, and Wednesday's parma night offers traditional or Hawaiian versions for $19 (or grab two with soft drinks for $32 takeaway).

Thursday rounds out the week with $19 burgers from their range, with a two-burger takeaway deal at $32.

112-114 Fairy St, Warrnambool

Open: Sunday-Friday 10am-late, Saturday 7:30am-late | Lunch: 12-2pm, Dinner: 5:45-8pm

Warrnambool RSL - Warrnambool

Tuesdays and Thursdays anchor the weekly specials at this Warrnambool mainstay, with $22 burgers (served with chips) every Tuesday and $29 steak night every Thursday — both kicking off from 5:30pm.

Weekend roast enjoyers can grab a $20 roast of the day special with roasted vegetables and gravy every Saturday and Sunday lunch during April.

Warrnambool RSL, 1 Artillery Crescent, Warrnambool

Open: Monday–Saturday 10am–midnight, Sunday 11am–11pm

Bistro: Lunch 11:30am–2pm, Dinner 5:30pm–8:30pm daily

Oak & Anchor Hotel - Port Fairy

Friday arvo footy sessions come with wallet-friendly drink prices at Port Fairy's heritage-listed pub (which has been serving drinks since 1857!!). Their "Love Local Happy Hour" runs from 4:30pm until the final siren sounds, with $7 schooners, $9 wines, $8 spirits, and $12 cocktails to ease you into the weekend. 

9 Bank Street, Port Fairy

Open daily from 2pm–late

Bunyip Hotel - Cavendish

The Sunday Chef's Table at this historic Cavendish pub throws the concept of “menu” out the window. For $65 per head, you surrender control to the kitchen and receive five courses served as share plates — two entrees, two mains, and dessert. Bookings essential for the two Sunday sittings (12–2pm and 2pm–close).

If Sunday doesn't work, you can request the Chef's Table experience Thursday–Saturday with advance notice. The locally-sourced ingredients sometimes come straight from Cavendish residents' gardens, guaranteeing seasonal freshness you won't find in the big smoke.

17-25 Scott St, Cavendish

Open: Thursday 12–11pm, Friday–Saturday 11am–11pm, Sunday 11am–6pm

Closed Monday–Wednesday

Ararat RSL - Ararat

Parents, mark your diaries — Wednesdays offer up to two free kids meals with each full adult meal purchased, with choices of lasagna, spaghetti bolognese or nuggets, plus activity packs to keep the little ones occupied.

The dedicated kids playroom adds extra peace during mealtime. Thursdays bring a 200g scotch, porterhouse or T-bone with a glass of local McKenzie Shiraz for $32. 

74-76 High Street, Ararat

Open: Monday–Thursday 10am–midnight, Friday–Saturday 10am–1am, Sunday 10am–11pm

Gordon Hotel - Portland

Happy hour kicks in just when you need it — Monday to Friday 4–6pm with $6 house wines, $5 pots, and $9 basic spirits.

Weeknight specials rotate through the usual suspects: kids eat free every Tuesday (lunch and dinner) with each adult meal purchased, Wednesday's $30 steak night (300g porterhouse with chips, salad and gravy), and Thursday's $21 parma night.

Seniors score a bargain weekday lunch deal with $6 entrees, $15 mains, and $6 desserts on presentation of a seniors card. Saturday afternoons are when things really get interesting with their 2–5pm "Mug of the Week" draw — buy a drink, get a chance to win 20 pots of beer.

63 Bentinck St, Portland

Open: Monday–Saturday 10am–1am, Sunday 10am–11pm

Bistro: Lunch 11:30am–2pm, Dinner 5pm–8:30pm daily

Grand Central Hotel - Hamilton

Budget-friendly specials fill the calendar at the Central.

Taco Tuesday offers five options (beef, pulled pork, fish, chicken, or vegetarian) at $7 each, plus $7 Coronas or $11 margaritas to wash them down. Wednesday transforms into "Local's Night" with $19.90 meals — parma, schnitzel, calamari, spaghetti bolognese or beef burger — each coming with a raffle ticket for a $50 venue voucher. Thursday nights offer free kids meals with any adult main purchased. Weekend deals include $19.90 parma and chips Saturdays (12–5pm) and $1 meat raffle tickets (2–4pm). Happy hour runs Monday to Friday, 4–6pm with $7 schooners and $5 house wines.

141 Gray St, Hamilton

Bistro open: Monday–Friday 11:30am–2pm & 5:30pm–8:30pm, Saturday–Sunday 11:30am–8:30pm

_{Thumbnail: Instagram / @thebunyiphotelcavendish & @oakandanchorhotel}