Pura - Glen Eira

Living very close the Balaclava Hotel, I have read the reviews and have the benefit of seeing the clientele to validate the authenticity of people’s reviews.I have recently gone there for a drink and tonight ventured into eating a meal territory....I have to say, the Parma I ordered was quite good. My wife ordered the bangers and mash and was equally impressed.Yes I have been to cleaner pubs, pubs were the cool kids hang and pubs where I pay 13$ for a beer. The Balaclava hotel doesn’t have this- it’s a knock about pub that lacks a Pretentious name, beers I have no idea about and hoards of men who wear pink shorts. It’s quiet, dark and yellow walls that scream ‘paint me’. However, the food is good, the staff are friendly and I paid 7$ for a Pepperjack Shiraz (cool pubs charge plenty more). It’s a quiet pub where the live band doesn’t annoy you when trying to catch up with a mate, has decent food and allows you to chill out. What it does lack is the insta worthy pic and token cool crowd- perhaps that’s why it has such a low rating but stands out as a place I’d go back to again.....

Choosing this hotel for dinner with my best friend in a rainy night. We ordered medium Porterhouse steaks with a choice of mushroom sauce, potato fries and salad. The steak was tasty and sauce tasted perfectly mushroom. Our dinner was so satisfied. Staff was friendly and helpful. Price was reasonable. Highly recommend and will be back for dinner again!!!!!

Had dinner at this pub last night for the first time in many years, and the food was still good value for money and tasty. Both the soup and the main was served piping hot which is always a bonus. I ate the bangers and mash and was served 3 big fat pork sausages with mash of course and peas and smothered in gravy. Delicious. I will be going back again but I do wish they would steam clean their carpet. It is so dirty and greasy that it makes the whole place smell! Pity!

This restaurant is not as terrible as some people make it out to be. I have visited a few times and enjoyed my meals here. While it may not be as upscale as The Local and does attract a working-class crowd, it serves its purpose well. I appreciate its lack of pretentiousness as a casual bar for workers. The staff are welcoming, the prices are affordable, and they even have a cozy fireplace in the winter. They show plenty of live sports, which my husband enjoys, and there are not many distracting conversations going on around us.

We were pleasantly surprised by our experience at the Balaclava Hotel on Carlisle St. We were expecting a typical St Kilda pub atmosphere, but were delighted when we were recommended to dine on the rooftop. The rooftop dining area had a fantastic chilled out vibe and the staff, particularly Riley, were excellent and made sure we had everything we needed. The food was served promptly and tasted amazing, especially the top-quality veggies that accompanied the delicious Parmesan. The garlic and cheese bread was superb, and the Korean chicken appetizers were exceptional. In summary, the Balaclava Hotel not only met but exceeded our expectations, making it a hidden gem that we highly recommend.