Overview
Kewpie (formerly Bimbo) officially closed its doors for good earlier this year, with locals sadly bidding farewell to the site's legendary $4 pizzas and late-night parties.
Fortunately, the site wasn't empty for long, as a new group of owners moved in to quickly gut the space and transform it back into The Punters Club — a pub and live music venue that previously occupied the building throughout the 90s.
The new Punters Club isn't an exact replica, but more of an homage. Local musicians will once again take centre stage here, with a stacked lineup of DJs and bands already slated to perform free gigs well into October.
Food, on the other hand, will be a significantly more elevated and playful affair. Head Chef Dylan Marshall is running the kitchen here, plating up classic pub fare with an Aussie twist.
Get your tuna tartare served with a bag of Smith's Salt & Vinegar Chips, kangaroo schnittys with mashed potatoes and pepper sauce and a fillet of fish with brown butter and capers. South Melbourne market dim sims even make an appearance on the menu alongside a Lune croissant bread and butter pudding served with Pidapipo pistachio gelato. It doesn't get more local than that.
Pair this all with tap wines (sold by the glass or in half-litre carafes), the venue's own draught beer, a selection of local and international brews, and classic cocktails.
The team behind the bar says the renovation was a "labour of love," sourcing artwork, a pool table, vintage lighting, dart boards, an old-school jukebox and memorabilia from all over Melbourne to start a new era for the legendary venue.
Let's just wait and see if it lives up to its former glory.
You'll find The Punters Club at 376 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, open 4–11pm from Tuesday–Thursday and 12pm–late from Friday–Sunday. For more information, you can check out the venue's website.
Images: Liam Neal.