The Southern has been breathing fresh life into the former Belluci’s space for nearly a year. Photo: Zachary Griffith.
Woden has a new heartbeat, and it’s pulsing from The Southern.
For nearly a year, the pub has been breathing fresh life into the space that was Belluci’s. With its warm, welcoming vibe and a modern twist on classic pub culture, The Southern has quickly filled a void and become a favourite hangout for locals.
The Southern isn’t just about grabbing a drink and catching the game on its big screens – its dynamic weekly lineup keeps things fresh and fun. With versatile event spaces available for private celebrations, and cosy corners tucked away from the action, there seems to be a lot to love about The Southern.
We book in for an early Saturday lunch and head straight to one of these quiet corners.
The extensive menu features country pub-inspired comfort food, paired with local brews from Capital Brewing and BentSpoke, plus timeless classics like Melbourne Bitter and Carlton Draught. It mixes things up with fresh and modern menu items, such as the Moroccan-inspired lamb salad, a poke bowl, and zesty pulled pork tacos. Plus pizzas, pastas and lamb shanks.
Something for everyone! Photo: Zachary Griffith.
We order wings, a Chicken Parmi and a Bee Sting pizza to share.
My Mango Oasis cocktail is enticingly icy. Blending tequila with mango puree and lime, it is sweet, tangy and smooth.
The Chicken Parmi is a substantial plate that boasts five veggies (six if you include the chips). The seasoning on the chips tastes familiar, yet it’s unlike any chip seasoning we have had, and it keeps us guessing the whole meal.
The parmi itself is satisfying, with a crisp golden crumb coating over tender chicken. A layer of garlicky tomato sauce topped with crisp-edged, double-smoked ham, then a fabulous layer of grilled mozzarella.
The vegetables are fresh and tasty, not just an afterthought to fill the plate. I especially appreciate the impeccably al dente beans, tender yet still with a slight snap.
The chicken parm is a substantial plate that boasts five veggies (more if you count chips!). Photo: Kazuri Photography.
Our plate of sesame-studded wings is more saucy than sticky, coated in rich, house-made BBQ sauce that packs a punch with some heat that lingers. The wings themselves are large and tender.
The accompanying whipped blue cheese dipping sauce is very moreish and goes perfectly with the BBQ flavours.
We like the sound of Bee Sting pizza. It’s a vibrant pizza. Fresh plops of ricotta and basil adorn a thin polenta-dusted pizza base, sprinkled with sopressata salami, mozzarella, and red onion, then drizzled with hot honey. The edge of the crust is crisp and pleasantly blistered.
Our eyes are bigger than our tummies as per usual, so we take some of the delicious pizza home.
If you are a local, check out The Southern – a proper community pub, where families, friends, and sports fans can come to unwind and feel at home.
Here is what is on each week:
- Monday – Schnitzel Night: Hearty schnitzels with chips and salad for just $20.
- Tuesday – Pizza Tuesday: All pizzas are $20 from noon to 9 pm—perfect for family dinners or casual catch-ups. And Trivia Night is on the first Tuesday of every month from 7:30 pm.
- Wednesday – Burger & Bev Deal: Buy any burger and get a free drink. Midweek indulgence sorted.
- Thursday – Meat Raffle: The Southern upsizes this classic pub tradition. The first prize is a behemoth of a meat platter, and there is always at least one runner-up platter!
- Friday – chill vibes with live music to kick off your weekend.
- Sunday – live music and $12 Spritz
- Monday to Thursday – Happy Hour: From 4:30 pm to 6 pm, enjoy 20 per cent off beers and house wines.
Bee Sting pizza. Photo: Kazuri Photography
The Southern is located at 4 Irving Street in Phillip. It is open every day from 11:30 am until late. The Bistro is open 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and from 5:30 to 9 pm. Follow The Southern and gape at their massive meat raffle prizes on Facebook and Instagram.
