Melbourne Music Institution The Espy Will Make Its Long-Awaited Return This Week

After three years lying dormant and many months of anticipation of what will come next for the venue, the Melbourne live music institution that is the Hotel Esplanade will finally reopen its grand ol' doors this Friday, November 23. The massively ambitious revamp has seen the stalwart St Kilda pub go from three levels to six, housing a whopping 12 bars, two restaurants and three live music stages — plus a fully-equipped podcast studio for rent and an arts, performance and culture space.

The refurb comes courtesy of local hopso group Sand Hill Road — it's redone the Terminus, Garden State and Prahran hotels, and bought The Espy back in May 2017. The group has collaborated with Technē Architecture to restore the old girl to her former glory (and then some), looking to the site's 140-year history and unveiling rooms that haven't previously been open to the public. Here's all you need to know about The Espy's restoration from run-down pub to beach-side grandeur.

THE FIT-OUT

The Epsy's now six levels all highlight the pub's history and include the newly opened top level, which was once the residence of well-known entrepreneur, philanthropist and art-lover Alfred Felton back in the late-19th century. Felton is a huge inspiration for the fit-out, and the upstairs level is dedicated to his memory with a series of rooms themed with Felton's love of  knowledge, arts and science.

Within the incredible 12-bar venue is a street-side beer garden, a basement public bar, a garden terrace overlooking St Kilda pier and a 1970s-inspired studio bar — it encompasses a fully-equipped podcast studio which patrons can rent.

Imported furniture and decorative objects span the venue, along with a series of hand-painted murals by Perth artist Desmond Sweeney (8 Foot Walls design company). Other notable design elements include a retractable glass roof in the terrace, arch windows in the foyer, the refurbished grand staircase and a 120-person private mezzanine with bay views.

Simon Shiff

THE MENU

Executive chef Ash Hicks is heading up the Espy Kitchen, a cellar door-inspired restaurant which has taken the place of the original loading bay and boasts a whopping 60 chefs, plus custom-built charcoal grills, two wood-fired pizza ovens and a Rotisol French rotisserie. Expect Aussie produce to be at the forefront, along with market fresh seafood. Dshes include the crispy bug roll, charcoal-roasted baby snapper and a range of raw bar items — from oysters, prawns and grilled calamari to a daily crudo offering and a market seafood platter.

Out of those pizza overs comes wood-fired pies, made using stoneground flour and 72-hour fermented dough. Fancier pub meals include spicy lamb flatbread, beef tartare, charcoal chicken and slow-roasted wagyu. But the menu is not without its pub staples, either, with fish and chips, burgers, parmas and schnitties all on offer too. Boozy weekend brunch offers the likes of green nourish bowl with scrambled tofu and avocado and barbecued haloumi and mushroom rolls.

Drinks options range from local craft brews and unpasteurised Carlton Draught delivered from Abbotsford to an affordable wine list and a barrel-aged drinks programme — starting with the house negroni, which is made in American oak barrels, treated with tawny port for two months and then aged for an additional four weeks. Other spritzes and gin cocktails emulate the beachside location.

In December, the venue's second restaurant offering will open in the form of Mya Tiger, a Cantonese restaurant and classed-up cocktail bar inspired by the 1850s gold rush era.

THE LIVE MUSIC

The biggest question hanging over the relaunch of The Espy has been whether the new owners will pay the same respect to local live music as the old venue did in its heyday. The planned programming shows that it's not just an afterthought. Among the three live music stages is one in the main bar, which will host solo acts, small-scale bands and late-night DJs. The basement stage will feature emerging artists and local bands, and the hallowed-out Gershwin Room will host ticketed gigs, starting with The Teskey Brothers — lucky ticket holders to this Thursday's gig will get an early access glimpse of the revamp before The Espy officially opens to the public. If you're late to the party, you can still sign up to the wait list here. Upcoming gigs include PP Arnold, Tex Perkins, Dan Sultan and The Chats.

The Gershwin Room will also host film screenings, dance classes and offer a weekly artist's space for hire on Mondays. Ghost tours are also on the docket, are is an immersive choose your own adventure-style theatre show.

The Hotel Esplanade will officially open on Friday, November 23. Opening hours will be Monday through Friday from 11am to late and Saturday through Sunday from 9am to late.