While Spotswood might not have the same hipster pull as other parts of town, it certainly makes up for it in unpretentious, working-class character. Since its friendly makeover a couple of years back, this once seedy boozer has become a firm fave with locals, and its daily deals have cemented the pub as a popular go-to. Wednesday's parma night is typically the pub's biggest crowd-puller, when for a mere $15 you'll get a heftily proportioned parma laden with Napoli and cheese and served with chips, salad and   your choice of a pot or a glass of house wine. That's hump day sorted.

The Spottiswoode Hotel, 62 Hudsons Road, Spotswood; 9391 1330; spottiswoode.com.au

Burger Mondays at The Aviary

As eating precincts go, Viet-tastic Victoria Street might not be top of mind for pub dining vibes but The Aviary is doing its bit to mix things up. Chef Craig McShane did time on the pans at Collingwood's The Gem, so he knows a thing or two about pub grub. Swing by on Monday nights for the $12 burger deal, which will score you a pot of Boags and your choice of either an American-style cheeseburger with pickles, a chicken burger with slaw and jalapeno mayo or the classic Aviary burger with caramelised onion, bacon jam and tangy Dijonnaise.

The Aviary, 271 Victoria Street, Abbotsford; 9428 7727; aviaryhotel.com.au

Steak Tuesdays at The Savoy Tavern

A haven for footy crowds and hungry Docklands office-dwellers, this '70s brick veneer icon has been jamming them in since a major refurb in 2014. There are a bunch of different deals throughout the week but Tuesday night's steak special is the big winner. Any other day of the week chef James Pollard's 250-gram grass-fed Victorian sirloin (served with shoestring fries and a parsley salad) will set you back $22, but come Tuesday night not only will you pay $15 but they'll throw in a glass of house wine or a pot of Boags for the win.

The Savoy Tavern, corner Bourke and Spencer streets, city; 9629 4214; thesavoytavern.com.au

Friday Pie night at The Gasometer

Run by the team behind Coburg's Post Office Hotel, football and rock'n'roll are afforded equal reverence at The Gas – with the game proudly broadcast "live and loud" every Friday night. Aptly enough, pies and hot dogs also feature – albeit in slightly fancier iterations than those at the G. A mere $10 gets you a chunky home-made beef and Guinness pie (served in brown paper bag for added authenticity) or the Gas' take on the classic hot dog; here done with a cheese kransky, pickled "punchy" cabbage, apple slaw and a hybrid brioche bun – and  a pot of Globe draft to wash it down.

The Gasometer Hotel, 484 Smith Street, Collingwood; 9416 3335; thegasometerhotel.com.au

Monday Family Feast at The Railway 

Home kitchen motivation is rarely high on a Monday night, especially in the dead of winter, which is where The Railway's rather generous "Family Feast" offer steps in. No kids? No worries. Available in the bar and deck areas, the deal is designed for two people to share. A $20 a  head outlay lets you choose a shareable main (maybe herb-roasted chicken, slow braised beef or whole baby snapper), plus a side dish of say, rosemary kipfler potatoes or citrus-almond pumpkin – the combination of which might otherwise  cost about $35 each. Chef Simon Tarlington is ex-Quay so you're in rather good hands too.

The Railway Hotel, 29 Chapel Street, Windsor; 9510 4050; therailway.com.au/home