The drinking scene in Carlton is divided cleanly. On Lygon Street, the action is the Italian café and gelateria tradition — long-running espresso bars like Brunetti, gelaterias including Pidapipo and Gelato Messina, and the cocktail bars layered on top of King and Godfree and a handful of newer arrivals.
For pub drinking, head south to The John Curtin Hotel opposite Trades Hall, or to the Clyde Hotel on Cardigan Street for one of inner Melbourne's best beer-garden afternoons. The student crowd from the University of Melbourne keeps Naughtons (the Royal Derby) and other Lygon Street pubs busy through term time. The cocktail scene has crept in around the edges — Madame Brussels-style hidden bars are still relatively rare in Carlton compared to the CBD or Fitzroy.