Cute, casual chill vibes!! Limited seating available for medium to large groups. Staff were friendly and were quick to intervene when a stray heavily intoxicated individual refused to leave us alone. Security also assisted. The pizzas were delicious (we had chicken, pesto and mushroom)!!!! Drinks were averagely priced. Due to new laws we weren't allowed to eat outside which sucked because that meant the group got split and we lost our tables so I wouldn't recommend for a large mixed smoker/non-smoker group because of limiting spacing and inability to socialise over food, drinks and smokes at the same time. Perfect for afterwork drinks or smaller get-togethers. Edit: Thanks for the reply, Bar Oussou! Glad to hear that it's temporary. Makes the place a 6/5 now.

BAND WARNING: These guys don't pay their bands. They offer a dubious deal of a small percentage of the bar, keep no records and then fob you off onto some 'management company' for payment. This turns out to be a number that nobody ever answers. When you email, they promise the world and deliver nothing. Basic 'wear you down in the hope you give up' tactics. We tried more than 10 times to get some action and nothing. It's disrespectful and dishonest. I'm not sure if the owners know how absent the 'management company' is or not, but it's their responsibility as the owners. It's a shame, it's a nice bar, with owners who seem to be music lovers.

"The cozy pub offers a warm, inviting atmosphere with exceptional service. Live music on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights adds a vibrant touch. performers create an enjoyable experience. Whether you're here for the music or a quiet drink, this place hits all the right notes.
Price per person
$40–60
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Parking space
Somewhat difficult to find parking
Parking options
Free parking lot, Free street parking, Paid street parking

Best place to be lounge around, hang about and mingle with beautiful faces ! The owners are the best people, open and welcoming to many. Love the venue, and space has been so well utizlied it's a perfect setting to stay warm by the fire, or get fresh air in the quaint beer garden. Favourite venue in brunswick. Culturally mixed and organic with music and atmosphere from young to majestic. It's full of life and surely picks up with something fun through the weekdays into the weekends !

I spent the entire evening with the biggest smile on my face. The most fulfilling music, food and bevvie night I have had in Melbourne. Down-to-earth, charming and personable service from the staff (shout out to Grace!) The feast was generous, diverse and delicious. Jali Buba and the band were PHENOMENAL and had everyone up onto their feet- folks walking past the venue couldn’t resist joining in. Super special things going on here and I am so excited to come back. Thank you!

Back in 2018, I would go to Bar Oussou every Sunday night because it was the shizzle. Five years later, I’m visiting Melbourne and happy to find that Sunday Nights at Bar Oussou is still the shizzle. Big love always, to Yusupha Ngum and the AFFIA Band for keeping this Singaporean girl happily dancing on her two left feet!
Price per person
$20–40
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

This is a great live music venue featuring all sorts of musicians; I’d describe it as a world music venue. The vibe is laid back and four different areas to hangout: the main stage area with a bar along with a small dance floor, an area with a fire place along with some seats, a Bedouin seating area, and an outside seating area offering up some food. The musical are free of charge!

The music is nice but the bartenders will let you die of thirst before serving you a drink, no matter how hard you try to get their attention. It was busy but not so busy they couldn't have served customers roughly in the order that they arrived at the bar if they made any effort to do so. Unless you're mates with the staff or a 10/10 forget about getting served there.

This is a nest of matriarchal divinity - the ethos drips down the walls in honeyed hospitality, spiced with fierce respect for diversity and the welcoming embrace of women in leadership supported by the men who love them. Go for the music, stay for the vibe and drink into pure heart the innate, intoxicating wisdom of the womb space. More

My God do I love this place. I frequented Bar Oussou many years ago and now coming back I'm happy to see it is still the same beautiful and loving space it has always been. The staff always treat you like an old friend. The vibe is chill and it feels like stepping to another country. Love it here, it's a must go!

Best bar in Melbourne! Every night has different events to cater for all people and tastes. Sunday night's are the best with a buffet and Asacouma Beats band, great to dance to! Bar Ousso is super cozy in the winters (it has an indoor and outdoor fireplace) and chill in the summer months.

This place is such a gem. Amazing musicians perform here. The vibe is friendly and it feels like a community. Easy place to meet people and make friends. Easy place to return to as there’s always quality performances to enjoy! Free too! Great staff and amazing everything really xx

By far my favourite bar in Brunswick! I can’t fault the place. The decor and vibe is so cosy, the staff are wonderful, the food is amazing (if you like fish you have to order the snapper!!) and the live music always goes down a great. My partner and I absolutely love Bar Oussou ❤️

At the risk of appearing too forward and ruining my approach, i must confess, i love this bar. The only thing keeping me from sitting there every night is the block of suburbs between me and there. Soppy, yes, but that's the truth of it. Also, it has a leafy beer garden out back.

I have known Ousmane and Mary for a few years now and I was so excited to know they had opened up their own place in the heart of Brunswick. I love Bar Oussou, it feels like home to me, very warm and I love <3 the food and drinks :) If I could give it more than 5 stars I would.

Great ambience and very chill vibes. Very average food, won't go back for it. Live music was okay maybe one of my unlucky days but have heard usually music is great there. Paid tables isn't worth when food and music both disappoints you. Probably try once more. Thank you.

Always a great atmosphere and live music. This is what neighborhood bars in Brunswick should be like. This is the first spot I always recommend around here. Has a small stage out front with tables, group areas to sit when deeper inside, and then a beer garden out back

It's the atmosphere Oussou and the crew have created that's made it what it is. Friendly, welcoming with live music most nights and a couple of lounging areas. Get your groove on to world music or listen to local musician on an open Mic night. Love it.

Best bar in Brunswick. Unpretentious vibe, lovely staff. Awesome live music from all over the world most nights of the week. You can tell many people are at home here. Really cheap food and cocktails. Long happy hour. Sweet beer garden. My go-to.

My fiance and I fell in love in this bar, we have been here on all occasions, drinks or dinners. Such beautiful food from Senegal, cultured and talented variety of music from Thursday to Sunday. The lighting and candles set an amazing ambience!

Great place to go to if your into live bands from Africa and other area's, there is a beer garden with a mini African hut were the cook prepare a tasty curries and snacks. It's a melting pot of different cultures here laid back postive vibes.

Had a great night, a friend had a second toasted sandwich because he enjoyed first one so much. Good drink select music was great and people dancing.
Price per person
$20–40
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

At first the Cruch-Glass-Sign was a bit… odd. But entering inside showed us a cosy bar, with a great inside and a lovely backyard. The beer is good, the vibes are great and the staff is very welcoming. Go there and try it! :)

One of the bets bars on Sydney Rd. First bar a went to when I arrived in oz. Great music scene. Food absolutely gorgeous. Drinks are great happy hr 8 till 10 I believe. 16 dollars for 2 and half pints. Can't go wrong here

If you love World Music, good wines, tapa type foods and very friendly staff then you should try Bar Oussou. Come on Sunday night and hear the Senegambian Jazz band and see some enthusiastic dancing. I had a great time.

If you’re looking for great music and talented artists/bands, laid back and relaxed atmosphere to dance at, has great, friendly, staff- this is the place to be. Fireplace during winter time and a great crowd!

Nice staff, welcoming environment, amazing bands. I ordered a margarita and tasted (and felt- no buzz) very watered down, even thought the bartender made it in front of me. Do you water down your liquor?

Bar Oussou has a community atmosphere with some incredible musicians/ performers doing what they do best. It has comfortable seating options with both indoor and outdoor spaces. Highly recommended :)

The most vibing space in all of Australia. Always good tunes, always good times, and a beautiful patio out back when you need to think about your life. Then get back to the dance floor and GROOVE!

Amazing espresso martini. Good music and vibes. They should really change the location of the stage though and get Ventilation. Right at the door everyone pushes past you when trying to dance

This place is so Brunswick, it actually hurts. Tiny narrow bar, great atmosphere, great happy hour specials, delicious pizzas and Senegalese food, and very supporting of live local music.

Feel de African riddims!! I really enjoy the music on Sundays. It's a great place to meet new people as well. No cover charge either, which is cool. Open til 3 am on weekends as well.

Loved it, so cool and chilled ,great live bands .venue itself is relaxed awesome vibe people so warm and friendly,had an awesome time! I will definitely go again and again and again

Great place, amazing food! Good quality service, and free live shows. Every corner of this place is full of magic. Enjoyed a lot of taking photos inside. Staff was super friendly.

Excellent service. Your eyes deserve the best lenses so don't waste money on second rate lenses from discount opticians when you could be going here. It's cheaper in the long run.

The senegalese feast menu was absolutely delicious, and a large amount of food for a very reasonable price. This is some of the best food I have had. Would recommend checking in.

Cosy little bar with diverse chill out zones. It draws an eclectic crowd of peaceful fun lovers and there is a constant stream of great music that is as eclectic as the crowd.

Massively watered down drinks. "Pims" jug with no alcohol in it. $18 classic Martini and espresso martini so watered down they tasted like bin juice. Extremely disappointed.

It's a nice, little bar with an exotic vibe, and the music is sensational. It packs out quick so be prepared to be shoulder to shoulder with the other patrons as you dance.

Love this place, intimate lovely setting and perfect for winter as the courtyard out the back has ample amounts of heating going. Music on Sunday night is always excellent!

Absolutely tiny, once the music starts, everyone is crammed in at the bottleneck entrance. Bubbly live music though, the lounge and backyard area's worth mentioning too...

Sensational night, food was great, staff are lovely, music was awesome, crowd was a really diverse mix of age, race and ability. Good vibe. I would recommend it to anyone.

Great local live music venue... Simple food available and happy hour drinks... Old terrace building flows deep to garden so u can find spaces to chill or get dancing

One of the best venues for live music in the north side. Such a diverse range of music, lots of 'world' for lack of a better term. It's all stuff you can dance to :)

Fantastic joint, it’s really cool Melbourne has places like this still, Lois (I think that was her name) was amazing and has the best smile ever!!!!! See you soon

Simply one of the friendliest, most cosmopolitan bars around, no pretentiousness just good vibes, awesome music from everywhere and great little lounge spaces.

The best hidden bar on Sydney Rd. Great staff, great drinks. The back area is a hidden gem. Make sure to get in early before it gets crowded. Love this place

From the point I walked in, to the last note the band played, this place was electrifying!! The small space also makes you feel like your part of the band.

Came for a gig and the sound was brilliant. Great vibes, beautiful and friendly service. Will have to come back for dinner because the food looked great.

Best live music venue and bar in Melbourne for world music and meeting people from so many different cultures! Always an amazing time with great vibes!

Small performance area but great live music always !!! Check out Amadou Susu the great Kora instrument player if you have a chance @Bar Ousou!! …

The fortnightly spoken word sessions are a MUST for anyone wanting to experience the warmest most welcoming poetry community Melbourne has to offer

Five stars isn't enough. Food is so fine, and the sounds of the Kora need to be experienced. Every other night there's real music to be heard.

The place was superb! Music is soo amazing and live band is soo amazing. They are very generous with their food as well. Ambiance is so cozy.

This place always has excellent live music and atmosphere. It's pretty much always full. There's also a nice little beer garden out the back.

Not heaps of space to relax if others are sitting in one section. But a great atmosphere and a nice dancing area later at night. Very nice!

Brilliant music every night, happy hour till 9pm, great vibe, excellent drinks, all types of people. Smokers, jokers and mid night tokers.

This is my favourite bar in the whole of Melbourne! Amazing atmosphere, cheap food food and best venue for music on Sydney road! A gem!

Enjoyed the place. It has loads of events on different days like mic day, live music. The band really rocks, make everyone indulging.

Dancing in the front bar starts a bit later in the night but has a fun energy. Nice staff and various nooks to catch up with friends.

Best live music venue in Brunswick. High quality acts. Good variety of styles. Multicultural crowd. Quiet areas to chat out the back.

Relaxed bar with a bunch of themed nights and regular live music. It attracts a real mixed crowd but thats just part of the charm

Popped in last night for a couple of drinks. What a pleasure to be out again. Really good vibes and the staff were so lovely.

Love this place so much! Amazing live music, decor and delicious food. Plus always a great time at the open mic nights …

Nice place, especially the back rooms with the fire place and the cushions. Good mix of music and the food isn’t bad either.

What a vibe!!! This bar is the place to be on Sunday evening. Great music and crowd. Loved it. Highly recommend this place.

We went on a night of upbeat jazz, friendly croud, accommodating bar. Although they don't have regular milk for their tea.

One of the best venue in Melbourne, incredible vibe and people make this one of the most entertaining venue in Brunswick.

Cosy little bar with good cheap pizza. Excellent White Rabbit Dark Ale on tap. Great happy hour specials. Can be crowded.

One of my favorites for a night out in Brunswick. Chill, unpretentious, friendly, good live music... What's not to love?

Possibly the best bar in Melbourne! The music from around the globe is world class and the Senegalese food is a must!!!

Awesome selection of music, friendly staff And welcoming vibe !!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Legendary bar and great staff! Institution to say the least.... Love this place, the music, and all it represents!!

This bar rocks! Love their live performances and friendly vibe. Especially Sunday's with The Senegambian Jazz Band!

Perfect hospitality with awesome unique dishes, food was delicious Perfect for group booking and events. …

Great atmosphere, great range of live music, happy hours,fantastic staff and a beer garden, what's not to like?

Trendy bar with great live gigs. Cool quiet spaces to have a chat as well as a lively beer garden out the back.

Saw live reggae band here and loved it. Cozy & welcoming venue. Also special Mention for the friendly staff.

Lovely beer garden, reasonably priced beer between 5 and 9, delicious meals for $7, and loads of live bands

Such a good vibe, beautiful people beautiful music! I go back 100% sure to dance to a good song and relax.

Friendly staff. Really good atmosphere on the weekend with some great gigs. Nice beer garden at the back

Great food ! Amazing staff! Always friendly and helpful. Music ! Always awesome. Thanks bar oussou !

Great atmosphere everytime I go there. Staff members are friendly and the gigs are always good fun

Nice atmosphere and great talent every night. A must go place to experience world around rhythms.

Really nice place, well decorated. Super cosy. Food is awesome and there's plenty. A must go.

I love this bar. Unpretentious, cozy and friendly staff. Also long happy hour and cheap food!

Great vibe, cool chairs and a lovely pergola. Pot belly fire keeps you toasty… ver nioce

Great for live music, every night has a different theme. Great food and cocktails too!

I would have enjoyed it more if I was high on opium perhaps. It had such a atmosphere

Great live music and vibe
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Cosy live-music venue with nice cocktails and food in the heart of Brunswick.

Good bar for enjoy the real African music, good food and good drinks too!!!

great food and live music! sunday night was amazing, the music was too good

You can be you at Ousou, great music and good vibes. Real good cooking too.

Quite a odd bar. Decent drinks list and decently priced cocktails.

Live bands!!! Also so close to other entertainment/food venues.

Great night out with some traditional music

Lively bunch, good prices, and decent space

Great live music venue
Atmosphere: 5

Was so good will be back soon