A pot of beer in Melbourne in 1985 was likely around 50 cents to $1 , with many recollections placing pub beer prices in that general range during the early-to-mid 1980s. One Melbourne-related source also describes a pot in modern terms as roughly a middy , which helps anchor the old pub sizing, but exact 1985 prices varied by venue and bar type.

What the evidence suggests

  • Pub beer prices were still relatively low in the early 1980s, and personal recollections in Australian beer-price discussions put beer around $1 in 1982 for a 10 oz serve, with cheaper smaller serves in earlier years.
  • Melbourne-specific memories in the same discussion mention very low beer prices in the 1970s, showing how quickly prices were rising by the mid-1980s.
  • Because “pot” sizes can differ by state and venue, the safest answer is a range , not a single exact number.

Short answer

If you want a single practical estimate: about 70 cents to $1 for a pot in Melbourne in 1985.

TL;DR: Melbourne pub beer in 1985 was probably well under $2 , and most likely around about $1 or a bit less.