O'Connells Hotel
Cosy up by the fireplace in winter, or hit the courtyard out back during summer.
Overview
O'Connell's Hotel, located along Coventry Street in the heart of South Melbourne, has been a staple of the suburb for over 140 years, keeping punters warm with a fireplace through winter and satisfied with a courtyard out back during the sunny months. And now, following a major reno, it has a new lease on life, ready to continue serving its community for the next 150.
Under the custodianship of the team responsible for the revitalised Flying Duck Hotel in Prahran, O'Connell's Hotel has been reimagined for the next generation. Striking a careful balance between honouring its heritage and modernising the pub with a more contemporary hospitality offering, the pub is set to remain a local favourite while attracting new patrons.
"The goal was to evolve O'Connell's without losing what people love about it. It's always been a local institution; we didn't want to lose that. But we also felt there was room to elevate the experience in a way that still feels relaxed and local," says Managing Director Brenton Lang.
Led by Head Chef Michael Conlon and Lang, the new menu is inspired by woodfired Australian ingredients. "The menu has been centred around what we love about Australian food, think Aussie beef and seafood, native ingredients, with the relaxed environment of a pub," says Conlon.
While the pub will still serve up the expected pub classics, it will also highlight native ingredients, with the Josper oven, using red gum, imparting a distinctive depth of flavour. You might sample woodfired prawns with smoked macadamia butter and native bush tomato, or a slow-cooked saltbush lamb shoulder with flatbread, or doughnuts with Davidson Plum jam and vanilla cream.
Melbourne designer Fiona Drago is responsible for the reimagined fitout, which introduces a warmer colour palette and contemporary textures. The front bar, which has been extended, remains the spot for casual catch-ups at a high table with live sports, and the 48-seat dining room, complete with a cosy fireplace and a walk-in cellar, is a stellar spot for a leisurely lunch or a lively dinner. The all-weather al fresco area remains a favourite local gathering spot, and several private rooms are perfect for your next party.
Images: Kate Shanasy.
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