Overview
Countless late-night drinking sessions and cheap pizzas have been enjoyed at 376 Brunswick Street over the years, where famous former resident Bimbo made its mark as a beloved, sticky-floored student haunt. After a fire forced the building's closure back in 2018, and a short-lived relaunch the following year, it's now getting a proper restart at the hands of new owners, Australian Venue Co (Fargo and Co, State of Grace, The Smith). Say g'day to the Fitzroy site's newest iteration: Kewpie.
Named after the iconic doll figure that's long graced its exterior wall, Kewpie will carry on the legacy as a laidback neighbourhood boozer with cheap pizza and a weekly roster of DJ-fuelled party sessions. Aesthetically, little has changed since the pub's last makeover, with low booths spread across the spacious ground-floor rooms, colourful posters plastered across the walls, and a sunny bar and terrace offering prime position up on the rooftop.
From the kitchen comes a delightfully affordable offering of pizza and snacks, most clocking in at an easy $5. Vegetarian options might include a caramelised onion and potato number, or the Mexican-inspired Poncho topped with corn chips and jalapenos. There's a peri peri chicken pizza, another loaded with Calabrese salami, and a garlicky marinara creation starring calamari, prawns and capers. Throw on a side of the pizza spring rolls if you're feeling snacky.
To match, the bar's keeping things simple, with a mix of crowd-pleasing brews, craft tins, wines and classic cocktails on offer. And soundtracking the Kewpie good times, there'll be a slew of music-focused happenings across the second half of each week — hip hop and funk for Bump Thursdays, the Friday Glow Down curated by Anyo and Kel Rhys, a slew of familiar selectors firing up House Party 3.0 Saturdays and smooth vinyl tracks for your Sundays.
To celebrate its launch, Kewpie will be giving away 50 free pizzas every day, from Monday, November 8–Friday, November 12. Head in to nab yours.
Find Kewpie at 376 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, from Monday, November 8. It'll open from 4pm–late Monday–Wednesday and 12pm–late Thursday–Sunday.
Top Images: Kate Shanasy