There's little doubt the Pinnacle is one of North Fitzroy's most striking structures. The impossibly sharp wedge of a building, complete with statues and a turret, rises from one side of St Georges Road and makes it clear from a distance that it's the kind of pub you should walk into.
Long before it was a pub, the building had a colourful history, at first acting as the inner north suburb's land office, where locals would climb to the top floor and point out which spot of land they were after; later it became a Post Office for many a moon, before more recently operating as an antique shop.
Its latest incarnation is surely the best, however, as it's now one of the city's top boozers where, since 2006, it's been pouring craft beer (and a little cider) through its ten taps, complemented by a short but strong wine list that also focuses on local drops. At first, that focus on craft beer was steered by former owner Leigh Wilkes but more recently, the old haunt was taken over by long-term staff member, John Orris, who has continued the custodianship that makes The Pinny one of the most enjoyable inner north Melbourne pub experiences.
The food menu might largely be filled with pub classics but those classics are done so well – and joined by less standard fare – that a meal at The Pinny is a cut above that found at most pubs, as too are the weeknight deals. The likes of Meat Free Mondays, Taco Tuesday and the Thursday steak night ensure the grand old building buzzes during the week.
As for that wider feeling of drinking or dining at the Pinnacle, it's such all all-encompassing experience that it's nearly impossible – and possibly a disservice – to define what makes it feel the way it does. But attempt to describe the feeling we will.
In part, it's the lively beer garden that works in all seasons, some perfect vantage spots to watch the footy, one of the most popular trivia nights you'll find anywhere, plus the eclectic locals and friendly staff, all of which combine to create a sense of community as soon as you walk in. Adding to that feeling is the important place the Pinnacle place in Melbourne's live music industry, with local bands appearing on the Pinny's multiple stages many nights of the week (in non-COVID times at least).
It's that sense of community that ensures that, while the Pinnacle may be one of inner north Melbourne's most striking structures from the outside, when you head inside for a beer it's all the more striking still.
