Lara is a growing regional town in Victoria's Greater Geelong area, offering two established pokies venues that serve the local community. Both venues combine gaming facilities with quality dining, entertainment, and community-focused amenities.
Lara, a thriving regional town located between Geelong and Melbourne in Victoria, offers residents and visitors access to two well-established pokies venues. These gaming locations provide modern facilities, quality dining options, and community-focused amenities that extend beyond gaming entertainment. Understanding the options available in Lara helps visitors make informed decisions about where to enjoy their gaming experience while supporting local businesses that contribute significantly to the community.
The pokies landscape in Lara reflects the town's growth and development as a regional center. With a population that has expanded significantly in recent years, Lara now supports two primary gaming venues that cater to different preferences and occasions. Both the Lara Hotel and Lara Sporting Club offer distinct experiences while maintaining high standards of service, responsible gaming practices, and community involvement. This guide provides comprehensive information about each venue, helping you choose the right location for your visit.
Located at 10 Hicks Street in the heart of Lara, the Lara Hotel represents the traditional Australian pub model with integrated gaming facilities. This venue combines the classic pub atmosphere with modern amenities, creating a welcoming environment for both locals and visitors.
The Lara Hotel operates with extended hours throughout the week, opening at 10:00am Monday through Tuesday and closing at 11:00pm, while Wednesday through Saturday sees extended hours until 1:00am. Sunday operations run from 11:00am to 11:00pm. This flexible schedule accommodates various visitor preferences and schedules.
The venue's bistro operates seven days a week, serving lunch from 12:00pm to 2:00pm daily. Dinner service varies by day, with Sunday through Thursday offering meals from 5:30pm to 8:30pm, and Friday to Saturday extending service until 9:00pm. This comprehensive food service ensures visitors can enjoy quality meals alongside their gaming experience.
The gaming area at Lara Hotel provides a comfortable setting with modern pokies machines in a well-maintained environment. The venue balances gaming facilities with its broader hospitality offerings, ensuring gaming remains one component of a complete entertainment experience rather than the sole focus.
Beyond gaming, the Lara Hotel hosts regular entertainment including live music events and themed nights. These weekly specials and events create a dynamic atmosphere that attracts diverse crowds and provides additional entertainment value beyond the gaming floor.
Situated at Mill Road and Alkara Avenue, the Lara Sporting Club represents a different model of gaming venue, one deeply integrated with community sports and social activities. This club serves as the heart of Lara's sporting community while providing quality gaming facilities.
The Lara Sporting Club positions itself as a community-driven organization, supporting local football, cricket, netball, and baseball sections. This sporting focus creates a unique atmosphere where gaming revenue directly supports community sports programs and facilities, giving visitors' gaming activities a tangible community benefit.
The club operates daily from 10:00am, with bistro service available Tuesday evenings from 6:00pm to 8:30pm and Wednesday through Sunday for both lunch (12:00pm to 2:30pm) and dinner (6:00pm to 8:30pm). This schedule aligns with sporting events and community activities, creating natural gathering times for members and visitors.
The Lara Sporting Club offers views of the iconic You Yangs mountain range, providing a scenic backdrop to the gaming and dining experience. The bistro features seasonally changing menus with popular weekly specials, catering to diverse tastes and dietary preferences.
Regional Victorian pokies venues operate under strict regulations set by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission. These venues must maintain responsible service of gaming standards, provide player information, and contribute to community welfare through various support programs and sponsorships.
Lara's gaming venues are integrated into broader hospitality establishments, offering dining, entertainment, and social spaces alongside gaming facilities. This model ensures venues serve as community hubs rather than solely gaming-focused operations, creating a balanced approach to entertainment and social engagement.
The club's function facilities represent a significant amenity, offering the only flexible, private function rooms in Lara. These spaces accommodate events ranging from small meetings to large wedding receptions, with options for private bars, dedicated facilities, and outdoor areas. This versatility makes the club a central venue for community celebrations and gatherings.
The Lara Hotel provides a traditional pub atmosphere with a central location on Hicks Street, making it easily accessible for quick visits or casual gaming sessions. The venue's extended weekend hours cater to those seeking later-night entertainment options.
In contrast, the Lara Sporting Club offers a more family-oriented, community-focused environment. The sporting club atmosphere creates a different social dynamic, particularly during sporting seasons when club members and supporters gather for matches and events.
Both venues prioritize quality food service, though with different approaches. The Lara Hotel's bistro operates with consistent daily lunch service and extended dinner hours on weekends, supporting a traditional pub dining model. The Lara Sporting Club's seasonal menu changes and weekly specials reflect a more dynamic culinary approach, with the added benefit of scenic views during meals.
While both venues contribute to the local community, the Lara Sporting Club's direct connection to local sports sections creates a more visible community impact. Gaming revenue at the sporting club directly supports football, cricket, netball, and baseball programs, providing tangible benefits to local athletes and families.
Both Lara venues operate under Victorian gaming regulations, which mandate responsible service of gaming practices. These requirements include staff training, self-exclusion programs, and access to problem gambling support services. Visitors should be aware of responsible gaming principles and utilize available support if needed.
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission oversees all gaming venues in the state, ensuring compliance with regulations designed to protect players and promote responsible gaming. Both Lara venues display required information about gambling support services and maintain policies to identify and assist individuals who may be experiencing gambling-related harm.
Lara's position between Geelong and Melbourne makes it accessible for visitors from both metropolitan and regional areas. The town is located approximately 15 kilometers north of Geelong's city center and about 60 kilometers southwest of Melbourne, with convenient access via the Princes Freeway.
Both venues offer parking facilities, with the Lara Hotel's central location providing street and nearby parking options, while the Lara Sporting Club's Mill Road location offers dedicated parking areas suitable for larger events and gatherings.
The Lara Hotel welcomes walk-in visitors, though booking a table for bistro dining is recommended, particularly during peak times and weekends. The venue provides online booking options through their website for convenience.
The Lara Sporting Club operates on a membership model, though visitors can typically access facilities as guests. Membership provides additional benefits and supports the club's community programs. Those planning regular visits should consider membership options to maximize value and contribute to local sports development.
Visitors to Lara's pokies venues can combine their gaming experience with other local attractions. The nearby You Yangs Regional Park offers hiking and nature experiences, while the town's growing retail and dining precinct provides shopping and additional food options. Lara's position as a gateway to the Geelong region and Great Ocean Road makes it a convenient stop for travelers exploring Victoria's southwest.
Lara's two pokies venues offer distinct experiences that cater to different preferences and occasions. The Lara Hotel provides a traditional pub gaming environment with extended hours and central location, ideal for casual visits and evening entertainment. The Lara Sporting Club offers a community-focused alternative with strong connections to local sports, scenic views, and family-friendly facilities. Both venues maintain high standards of service, responsible gaming practices, and community contribution, making them valuable assets to the Lara community. Whether you prefer the pub atmosphere or the sporting club environment, Lara's gaming venues provide quality options for entertainment while supporting local businesses and community programs.
Lara has two primary pokies venues: the Lara Hotel located at 10 Hicks Street and the Lara Sporting Club at Mill Road and Alkara Avenue. Both offer gaming facilities alongside dining and entertainment options.
The Lara Hotel operates from 10:00am to 11:00pm Monday-Tuesday, 10:00am to 1:00am Wednesday-Saturday, and 11:00am to 11:00pm Sunday. The Lara Sporting Club opens daily from 10:00am with varying bistro hours throughout the week.
While the Lara Sporting Club operates on a membership model, visitors can typically access facilities as guests. Membership provides additional benefits and supports local sports programs, making it worthwhile for regular visitors.
Yes, both venues offer full bistro service. The Lara Hotel serves lunch daily from 12:00pm to 2:00pm and dinner with varying hours. The Lara Sporting Club provides lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday, with Tuesday dinner service also available.
Both venues contribute to the community through sponsorships and support programs. The Lara Sporting Club directly supports local football, cricket, netball, and baseball sections, with gaming revenue helping fund community sports programs and facilities.
Yes, both venues operate under Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission regulations, which require responsible service of gaming practices, staff training, self-exclusion programs, and access to problem gambling support services.
Lara's gaming venues proudly support local organizations and community initiatives
Traditional pub-style gaming venue in central Lara offering modern pokies facilities, quality bistro dining, and regular entertainment events with extended weekend hours.
Community-focused sporting club with gaming facilities, scenic You Yangs views, quality bistro with seasonal menus, and direct support for local sports programs.
The Lara Sporting Club has introduced its new seasonal bistro menu featuring locally sourced ingredients and popular weekly specials.
Both Lara venues have renewed their commitment to supporting local sports sections and community programs throughout 2026.
Lara gaming venues have enhanced their responsible gaming support services with additional staff training and player information resources.