Tag: Melbourne pubs

Yarraville Victoria Hotel in Melbourne is back open

Victoria Hotel Melbourne

The iconic Victoria Hotel in Yarraville has proudly reopened its doors, unveiling a much-anticipated $2.5 million renovation. This transformation introduces a brand-new beer garden and a delightful children’s play area, enhancing its reputation as a family-friendly destination in the region. For the first time in its history, the pub now boasts an expansive beer garden that can accommodate up to 170 guests. This newly designed space features comfortable picnic table seating among lush greenery, a dedicated outdoor bar, and an impressive children’s playground. These additions solidify The Victoria Hotel’s status as the go-to venue for family-friendly dining in the community, designed with the needs and desires of its patrons in mind. Venue Manager Anthony Cook expressed his excitement about the renovation, stating, “It’s exciting to finally open the new beer garden and kids’ play area for our patrons. This well-deserved renovation brings modernised features, tailored spaces for all ages, and so much more to our local, meaning it will continue to be a space for all to enjoy.” In addition to the beer garden, the renovation brings a refreshed bistro and a brand-new adjoining kids’ play area, replete with interactive features to keep the young ones engaged. The children’s area is a miniature representation of Yarraville itself, including a Yarraville Sun Theatre feature wall, an interactive train & kiosk, reading nooks, tech corners, drawing stations, a soft play area, and much more. The culinary experience at The Victoria Hotel has also been elevated, with a refreshed menu featuring delicious share-style plates, pizzas, and pub classics,… Read More

The Espy Melbourne Food & Wine Festival

Espy St Kilda sunset al fresco outdoor garden view

St Kilda’s iconic Hotel Esplanade, affectionately known as The Espy, is gearing up to host two extraordinary culinary collaborations as part of the highly anticipated Melbourne Food & Wine Festival. Renowned chefs Jake Nicolson, Lyndon Tyers, Jimmy Hurlston, and Salim Gafayri will come together to curate exceptional dining experiences at Mya Tiger and Louey’s Bar & Kitchen for two exclusive nights. Donna Chang X Mya Tiger, Friday 15th March, 7pm-9pm The first of these exceptional events will take place on Friday, 15th March, from 7pm to 9pm, as Executive Chef Jake Nicolson and Head Chef Lyndon Tyers from Brisbane-based Cantonese powerhouse, Donna Chang, join forces with The Espy’s Asian-inspired restaurant, Mya Tiger. This collaboration promises an 8-course Festival banquet that fuses Cantonese and Asian-inspired flavors, delivering an unforgettable gastronomic experience in the heart of St Kilda. Priced at $123 per person (drinks on consumption), this promises to be a night to remember. Jimmy Hurlston X Salim Gafayri X Louey’s, Friday 22nd March, 7pm-10:30pm The culinary magic continues on Friday, 22nd March, from 7pm to 10:30pm, as Melbournians are treated to a night of Italian-American delights crafted by Jimmy Hurlston of Collingwood’s revered eatery, Easey’s, along with star pizza chef Salim Gafayri and Louey’s Executive Chef Telina Menzies. The 5-course dining and drinking experience will feature hearty, messy Italian eats with an American twist, complemented by a selection of Picklebacks, wine served in carafes, and beats from Disco Italia DJs. The evening will culminate with a free gig by Melbourne hip-hop icon Posse Shot in the… Read More

Melbourne’s best pubs and restaurants for Christmas Day dining

The Duke of Wellington Melbourne pub

As the Yuletide season approaches, bring out your festive spirit and join in the merriment at some of Melbourne’s finest pubs and restaurants. This Christmas Day, let these culinary destinations do the heavy lifting while you sit back, relax and indulge in a feast fit for a king. The Smith: A Family Affair The Smith, located at 213 High Street, Prahran, invites you to take part in their festive family-style lunch1. With two sittings at 11am and 2.30pm, this renowned establishment offers a tantalising three-course meal brimming with all the trimmings. Adults are priced at $145, and kids can join in the fun for just $45. College Lawn Hotel: A Classic Christmas At 36 Greville Street, Prahran, lies the College Lawn Hotel2. This Christmas Day, they’re serving a three-course sharing menu with a unique twist on Christmas classics. Catering to various dietary needs, they offer dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan menus. Seating times are set at 11am and 2.30pm, with adults priced at $130 and kids under 12 at $45. Sarah Sands Hotel: Festive Flavours The Sarah Sands Hotel at 29 Sydney Road, Brunswick, is ready to spice up your Christmas with their festive menu3. Their three-course meal features Christmas classics, with a vegetarian menu available. Sittings are available at 11am and 2.30pm, with adults priced at $130 and kids at $50. Station Hotel Footscray: Bubbles and Banquet Celebrate the festive season in style at the Station Hotel Footscray, located at 59 Napier Street4. Enjoy a three-course festive sharing menu filled with an array of Christmas… Read More

Auburn Hotel unveils $4.3m extension showcases new era of dining

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In the heart of Hawthorn, the iconic Auburn Hotel has been an integral part of the community for 135 years, serving up good times and great memories. Today, the beloved venue reveals a new face to its regulars and newcomers alike with the grand reopening after a $4.3 million extension. The refurbishment sees an expanded beer garden with a dedicated kids play area and the introduction of a stunning atrium-style dining hub – ‘The Pavilion.’ The multi-million dollar expansion brings an exciting blend of the classic and the contemporary to the local community. With new indoor and outdoor spaces, the Auburn Hotel is all set to become the go-to spot for food, drinks, and unforgettable moments. Previously housing horse stables and a motorworks garage, the neighbouring site now hosts ‘The Pavilion’, a modern atrium-style dining and drinking area. The Pavilion effortlessly marries history and modernity, featuring a retractable roof, a captivating fireplace centrepiece and a state-of-the-art pizza oven. The extension also includes a deck that seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor dining, adjoining a beer garden and a brand-new kids playground. With something for everyone, it’s the ultimate spot for year-round socialising. A refreshed menu, curated by Executive Chef Tony Moss, complements the new spaces. The menu features share dishes such as Burrata with sweet & sour tomato jam, Mushroom Arancini with truffle mayo and pecorino, and a range of mouth-watering Woodfire Pizzas. A full list of comforting pub classics like Lamb Pie and Roasted Pork Belly are also on offer, promising a treat for every… Read More

Auburn Hotel Melbourne gets a new future

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The iconic Auburn Hotel in Hawthorn is set to receive a multi-million-dollar expansion, providing the local community with fresh indoor and outdoor spaces to savor food, drinks, and good times. Since 1888, this historic pub has been a landmark at the corner of Auburn Road and Victoria Street. Now, it’s transforming the adjacent Regan Motors site into a vibrant hub for the Hawthorn community – a gathering destination for locals and workers alike. The popular beer garden will undergo an upgrade, featuring a new woodfire pizza bar, picnic tables, and an expanded sun-soaked lawn for elevated weekend sessions. A brand-new kids’ playground will also be added, making it perfect for the little ones, especially during the Auburn Hotel’s locally-loved Family Funday held every Sunday. In addition to the beer garden extension, the Auburn Hotel will convert the former Regan Motors site into a laid-back, atrium-style dining hub. This relaxed space will also include a function area extending onto a sprawling deck. The new area will seamlessly blend the location’s history with modern finishes, offering the best of Auburn Hotel with a fresh twist. Guests can anticipate a mouthwatering new menu alongside the unveiling of the revamped spaces, featuring the pub classics Auburn Hotel is famous for, as well as a selection of scrumptious woodfired pizzas, bites, and small plates perfect for group grazing in the beer garden. The Auburn Hotel makeover will maintain the cherished local hub experience while offering more spaces for the community to enjoy year-round. Although demolition on the new site has… Read More

Melbourne pubs and restaurants that are open for visits this Christmas

Prince York Sydney pub 1

Forget Christmas at your place – who needs the cleaning up?! This Christmas in Melbourne, it’s all about pubs and taking those you love on a gastronomic journey around the city at a range of the city’s finest that are open for all sorts this festive season. We’ve gathered some of the details for you… Garden State Hotel 101 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Tippy-Tay is putting an Italian spin on all the Christmas classics with a delicious Italian Christmas Feast. Enjoy your lunch in the perfect Italian setting at Garden State’s Tippy-Tay that includes a four course banquet menu, inclusive of 3-hour beverage package. Adults priced at $185pp, bambinos $75pp, from 12pm-3pm. Book here Middle Park Hotel 102 Canterbury Rd, Middle Park Enjoy a relaxing festive lunch near the bay at Middle Park Hotel with the family because you can. You’ll enjoy a glass of bubbles on arrival and a mouth-watering three-course lunch in the refined surrounds of the Middle Park Hotel. Adults priced at $140pp and kids are $45pp and there are two seatings available; 11:00am & 2.30pm. Book here The Local Port Melbourne 22-24 Bay Street, Port Melbourne Enjoy all the Christmas classics at this Port Melbourne favourite, right in the heart of the city’s elite inner south. You’ll enjoy three courses with all of the favourite Christmas classics. Adults priced at $115pp and kids under 12 are $35pp. Book here The Duke of Wellington 146 Flinders Street, Melbourne Think a share-style festive feast in the heart of the city at The Duke of Wellington…. Read More

Melbourne’s Hawthorn Hotel is back in 2021

Hawthorn Hotel

The Australian Venue Co and Swinburne University of Technology have joined up with the Hawthorn Hotel in Melbourne to bring it back to life. Listen closely enough and you can hear every student of the nearby University cheering! After closing its doors in 2020 due to the impacts of the coronavirus, the 152-year-old venue will undergo a renovation to provide a mix of dining, socialising and event spaces for The Hawthorn Hotel regulars, as well as a dedicated space for Swinburne alumni, industry partners, staff and students. The University’s carved out a spot in the pub and licences the first floor of the venue, which will be transformed into a dedicated space for its alumni, industry partners, staff and students. Meanwhile, the ground floor will be operated by The Australian Venue Co, a world-class hospitality group delivering exceptional food, drink and entertainment experiences across more than 150 venues nationally. So you know it’ll be good.