Established in 1869, The Rising Sun Hotel is one of South Melbourne's oldest continuously licensed pubs, tucked among the leafy streets near Albert Park Lake. Locals know it simply as 'The Riser', and its proximity to Lakeside Oval, the original home ground of the South Melbourne Swans before their move to Sydney, has given the pub a deep and enduring connection to the Sydney Swans supporter base in Melbourne. A vibrant sports bar filled with red-and-white memorabilia sits alongside a modern bistro and a more intimate dining room, while a hidden staircase leads to a 120-seat function room used for corporate events, private celebrations and the pub's live music program. That music program is a genuine drawcard: the 17-piece Downbeat Big Band has performed every second Tuesday for more than three decades, while Thursday nights bring the Joe Ruberto Trio and guest vocalists for a dedicated jazz night, and Sunday Sessions offer a rotating lineup of local bands for a long lunch crowd. The kitchen serves prime steaks and classic pub dishes alongside a thoughtfully curated wine list, with food service running from midday to 9pm daily. The Rising Sun is also a key stop on Melbourne's major event calendar, drawing crowds for the Formula 1 Grand Prix, ANZAC Day, and the Spring Racing Carnival given its location near the sporting precinct. Family owned and deeply embedded in the local community, it remains one of the more characterful and consistently busy pubs in this part of South Melbourne.