Home of the Bloods

The Rising Sun Hotel & The Bloods Legacy

For over a century, The Rising Sun Hotel has stood proudly opposite the historic Lakeside Oval — once the heart & home ground of the South Melbourne Football Club, known today as the Sydney Swans.

A Historic Location

As the nearest pub to the Lakeside Oval, The Rising Sun Hotel became the unofficial clubhouse for players, supporters, & locals alike. It was - & still is - where victories were toasted, losses softened, & football legends born.

Founded in 1874, the South Melbourne Swans were a foundation club of the VFL (now AFL), playing their inaugural match at Lakeside Oval that very year. When the club relocated to Sydney in 1982 – becoming the first VFL team to move interstate – The Rising Sun remained proudly grounded in its roots, holding tight to its identity as the Melbourne home of the Bloods.

It’s Not Just a Pub - It’s a Legacy

With nearly 150 years of shared history, the bond between this pub & the Sydney Swans runs deep. From memorabilia lining the walls to the roar of loyal fans on game day, the spirit of the Swans is alive & thriving within our walls.

How Does The Rising Sun Run on Game Day?

On every Swans game day, the pub reserves a premium area — The Swans Nest — exclusively for the Bloods faithful to congregate.

Supporters can book a table in The Swans Nest to enjoy a meal while watching the big screen with full surround sound, cheering alongside fellow fans in a true red & white atmosphere.

Our other bistro, dining & bar areas remain open to regular patrons, with the game shown on screens throughout the venue. In these areas, audio is kept off unless appropriate — ensuring there’s a space to suit both passionate supporters & those simply enjoying the pub experience.

Please leave us a note in the comments section when booking so we can put you into the appropriate spot in the venue.

Past, Present & Future - We’ll Be Here

Whether you followed them as South Melbourne or proudly back the Sydney Swans today, you’ll find kindred spirits here. And when the Swans make a finals run? The pub is electric. You won’t find a more passionate, packed-out gathering of red & white supporters anywhere in Victoria.

Welcome to The Rising Sun – still flying the Bloods flag high in Melbourne

Check the Match List below to see the next Swans game