Hotel Esplanade reviews . (Pub) in Melbourne (Victoria).

Hotel Esplanade

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333 Comments

Pub

Pub

11 The Esplanade, St Kilda VIC 3182, Australia

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Service hours of Hotel Esplanade

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Comments of Hotel Esplanade

V. V.

Unique place... a lovely staff works and ready to serve you. Few venues can get you exactly what you're looking for starts from cocktails room, garden outdoor, balcony section, pub style or even Chinese restaurant too. Give a try and see what can fit u into.

b. r.

4 stars for the interior design and food at Mya Tiger (lots of gluten free options) however the noise downstairs was so loud it was awful to even walk through, there were so many young people there without masks it felt overcrowded and unpleasant. Slow service too... Oh and I forget the most horrible bouncer, wouldn't even acknowledge me. BUT still go upstairs for food or drinks 🍸🍸🍸

K. N.

The lobster roll was delicious and the seaside spritz was the perfect summer drink. They move you to a table outside at the end of your booking period but it was a bit of a nightmare to manage the move with security getting angry at us for standing where the server asked us to stand and wait. If you can avoid talking to security then you’ll have a gorgeous day - very easily done if you stay out of their way.

B. R.

I went there to watch my friend’s performance . He is the guitar player for Bernadette Novembre. It’s sad to see how Covid impacts the live music scene. Amazing performance by Bernadette and Aden Young. Definitely, my place to go for Indie band performance. Will go there again, but next time will have dinner and try the food.

m.

loved the vibes of this place! there's so many different venues all in one location but we visited the espy kitchen at the back. the service was super attentive and the fish was incredibly fresh. highly recommend trying the cheesecake donut!!

T. A.

Had a fantastic time at The Espy. The staff were awesome, and as it was a Thu, it wasn't ridiculously packed. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

l. W.

Steak was stone cold and fatty. Wedges and red wine jus very nice, but wedges seemed like they were on rations. Steak cooked as requested. For a main meal it was Very small and felt like an entree. Staff friendly and hospitable.

S. t. B.

I can’t fault this place. I just love it. I’ve been to every level for different events and loved the food, drinks and vibe.

S. d. G.

Eclectic venue with a stunning theatre, a velvet green lounge bar upstairs along with a restaurant, and a downstairs foyer that pops off on a weekend night. Great place just for a drink too with awesome decor and a great list of drinks on the menu. Great for a date, great for a gig, great for a boogie. Loved it

P. M.

I love what they have done. It's a gorgeous venue with so many memories. The food is delicious, great atmosphere. HIGHLY RECOMMEND

M.

The Espy does a phenomenal Sunday roast! The best I’ve had in Melbourne to date to be honest. Love that there are so many different areas to choose to have lunch/dinner in. We’ve enjoyed all our visits to the Espy… there is a little something for everyone. Food, service and vibe is bang on. Doesn’t hurt that there are beautiful views as well.

O. K.

Divided into 2 parts, One being the bar and the other, a Thai Restaurant, this Iconic place has retained it's beauty even after many months of renovation. St Kilda has been our home for little less than 3 years and it's only now that we were able to visit the Bar. Excellent!! The interiors of this Hotel is striking, a fine balance between classic and modern architecture. Food, especially Pizzas were awesome. Chicken Parma, Lobster Roll were equally good. Drinks (Espresso Martini, the Pineapple Punch, South Side, Virgin Mojito and 500 Days of Summer ), nothing unusual for a place like this, and thus, misses to score 5. Would have expected better from them....Even the unusual tasted quite usual. Also, it shouldn't be difficult to make a Mojito minus the alcohol but we had to wait for at least 5 minutes before the bartender confirmed that they can make one. Having said that, hospitality was warm and vibe was great. Worth the splurge!!

K. B.

I have dined at The Espy twice now and can highly recommend the food (Kitchen Restaurant). Drinks well priced and great selection of wines. The staff were accommodating , we went mid afternoon so the restaurant was quieter but the front bar was going off big time. Great vibe. Will be back.

g. m.

Suburban St Kilda with great views and street entertainment, food and beverage in a relaxing garden. Very pleasant.

B. T.

On the balcony enjoying Friday afternoon drinks . This is the life .

N. H.

Always amazing - great views of the Bay

R. L.

Fabulous place! My sister suggested a visit there (I don't live in Melbourne) and I was very pleasantly surprised by the ambience and the views (date palms, trams along the Upper Esplanade, the St Kilda Pier, and ships on the horizon, amongst other things), and was pleased to hear that it had been saved from demolition and was renovated. The price of the delicious beers was reasonable (a fairly good selection), though I couldn't help wondering if I should have tried one of the good-looking cocktails that the efficient bartender had prepared while the other efficient bartender was serving me. I recalled from some time ago that the name of the Gershwin Room had rung a bell, being where RockKwiz was filmed. I didn't get to see the upstairs section on this visit, but will definitely be back to have a look and a drink. It was an enoyable experience, but especially so as it was on a week day and not crowded, which it can apparently get on weekends.

B. M.

Nice view over the water. Plenty of space. Only let down was the quantity of food you get for the price. Litteraly half a plate for 25 dollars.

R. H.

We caught up with some friends here and were honestly not blown away by the food at the Espy Kitchen. While it was not bad, it was very overpriced for what it was. There is a large drinks selection but again the prices seemed quite expensive. I was definitely slightly disappointed after all the hype and seeing the place packed every Saturday.

C.

The Espy has re-opened and is pumping! Literally wall to wall people and lots of loud music and dancing downstairs. Great party, nightclub atmosphere if that's what your into. We had a booking upstairs for dinner at 8pm and had to line up out the front on the footpath for a table to become available. Next up we had to push our way through a throbbing, dancing, fun time crowd to get to the stairway to the restaurant. Once up the stairs we were seated at a table and couldn't hear each other as the music was coming up the stairwell. The staff are great and we were moved into a booth which was more comfortable and quieter. The food is Asian fusion and delicious. We also watched the sun go down over the ocean which was pretty special. Be prepared to spend some $ because it's not cheap. Not sure if I would return. I'd probably find a quieter place to have a nice dinner. It is for a younger crowd (30 something). It's definitely a one time try for me.

D. P.

Hotel Esplanade is a great venue for either birthday party, wedding, engagment or anything that you want to do to party on. It gets extremely busy on Friday Saturday Sunday nights. Hotel Esplanade definitely is a great place where you can enjoy with indoor or outdoor seating. Each room is themed different so what ever takes your fancy on the day..

N.

Awesome location with a fantastic view of the bay and sun setting. Many different food menus depending on what you feel like and how formal or casual as there are different areas within the one pub. Also the option of live music but haven’t been to a gig there. A star lost cause it’s expensive in my opinion especially the bar menu. Can get really busy as well.

W. T. S. C.

The newly renovated Espy is extremely popular and you may need to line up to get in - nobody likes to line up. The venue has plenty of options from the public bar to main bar area and a sit down cocktail bar - a bar for every occasion. Plenty of room on the day we were there. The food options are varied from bar food to sit down restaurant. The only issue is we are in 2019 and the customer expects a level of service - adding extra basil to a pizza should be a simple request but no too hard.

A. V.

Had a great night. I recommend this venue for people who are a bit older. However on the dance floor age doesn't exist. 😉😉 10/10 to the bar... security 👍👍👍👍 restaurant needs to improve on presentation. I felt welcomed and looked after. 8/10.

J. “. M. D.

Friendly staff in an exceptional recently renovated Victorian hotel, overlooking st kilda bay, a great place to enjoy a cold one, listen to some live music or just Sit back relax and enjoy the vibes.

S. V.

A truly stunning venue with so many hidden areas and rooms and bars. So much to see, so historical it takes you back in time. The ghost bar upstairs was stunningly antique with beautiful views of the bay. The American male waiter had customer service that was exceptional and made the experience even better. This place is an absolute must for drinks, food, whatever really.

C. K.

Loads of fun! The Ghost room (Cocktail Bar) is a favorite indeed. So much variety and food is delectable all round. Staff are down to earth and friendly! It is artsy so have fun in vintage clothes if you book ahead! It's rumoured to be haunted too! Have an adventure! Enjoy! 🙂

E. H.

Amazing food and people. Came in for a birthday lunch. Bar staff helped hide the cake, made an off the menu drink and were up and down so wonderfully accomdating!

F. H.

Loved my experience here! We dined upstairs, then had some post dinner drinks upstairs too. The service is excellent.. Food is delicious... the loos are super cute too and definitely worth a look. The sunset from the dining room is special!

L. G.

I booked a function in the Pharmacy room at The Espy over the weekend and I was overwhelmed with the level of service my guests and I received! The space was fantastic, the food was great and everything was served in a timely manner. All the staff were excellent - but Kate, who looked after us all night truly went above and beyond. Everyone at our party mentioned how fantastic she was all evening. Kate was very attentive, making sure that everyone was catered for - she even arranged last minute vegan options for a couple of guests. We were taken on a detailed tour of the newly renovated and sophisticated function spaces upstairs and given the full history of the building. I was never left without a drink in my hand, with bartenders coming up to me with a cocktail throughout the evening. I definitely recommend booking the Espy for your next event, and ask for Kate!

C. C.

Refurbished and now more fabulous than before. We held our wedding reception in the Ghost of Alfred Fenton rooms on the top floor. The team at the Espy couldn't have done any more to make our day super special. From the welcome drinks, to the roving cocktails, to the endless cocktails ordered and setting up for cake and speeches. It was a dream evening. The room is so uniquely decorated we didn't feel the need to add any additional wedding decorations which saved us many $$. I did bring some dried flowers but that was about it. Thank you so much Shirley & Helena.

B. B.

This is a top venue now. I did not see how it was before but its classy, casual, formal, laid back. Downstairs is public bar with balcony area, smoker's beer garden out front. Upstairs is a restaurant area with bar and then the third floor is a bar called 'the ghost' which has like a 50's style to it but still casual/formal at the same time. Still have the room out the back downstairs for music acts and also in the basement with free entertainment. Check it all out you will be doing yourself a favor!!

I. C.

1st class service, staff on top of everything. Food really excellent,very interesting twist on some well known dishes. Great sharing menu and thoughly recommended.

S.

Great atmosphere, amazing venue. Pitty about the food, Ceasar salad without the chicken. $24 for a bowl of lettuce with mayo.......

J. C.

Lovely security at the front! Made my night and made me feel so safe :))) can’t wait to come back and see them

P. W.

The revamped Espy is loud and crowded and has it all for young and old: the front of the hotel hosts a dozen bars ranging from a grungy sticky floor basement bar to a dj spinning golden oldies on the terrace, a Chinese restaurant and a "secret" cocktail bar that you need a key to access on the top floor. And then there's the live music venues deeper inside! Definitely worth exploring.

I. C.

Very impressed with Mya Tiger banquet menu. It was more than enough food. Is a very busy restaurant, booking is definitely recommended. Great selection of cocktails.

M. W.

Amazing experience the staff were absolutely phenomenal !!special shoutout to yannick the bookings host he was one of the nicest workers ive met in hospitality! Guy deserves a medal and a margarita

G. R.

Pretty delicious food and lots of atmosphere. Staff friendly and helpful.

P.

Been meaning to come to this place for a while. Finally we gave it ago. Overall the food was ok. The meatballs, arancini, fried chicken and pizzas were alright. My favourite one among the others was the fried chicken. I was a bit disappointed with the scallop, beef tartare and wagyu croquettes. The scallop had 2 strong main ingredients that contradicted each other. I couldn't even enjoy the taste of the scallop. The wagyu croquettes I've found the taste was a little bit ’lost’. With the beef tartare, I couldn't even taste the beef as the kale taste was too strong. The place was pretty busy, I think they need more people to work on the floor. Highly recommended to book before. The bar played really funky music, too bad was too pack for us to even enjoy the drinks at the bar. Maybe next time should come during weekdays.. Would like to try the restaurant upstairs ’Mya Tiger’

C. G.

It's a nice refit for sure, however the acoustics are terrible. Had to shout all night to be heard. Get some sound pads on the ceiling people. The door staff aren't the best either. We came to have fun, not to feel oppressed by scowling faces and unfriendly demeanours. Venue security does not have to be managed this way to be effective.

R. M.

We made a last minute decision to check out the newly renovated Hotel Esplanade last weekend. Opening weekend. Despite our fears of having to queue up from around the corner we arrived at the heaving venue and walked straight up the stairs. Wow! What a fit-out! Some serious cash has been splashed on this iconic venue. However it has retained all of the character (and in fact added some more with the opening of the upstairs rooms). Bar service was prompt and friendly from all of the bars. Hot tip: If the public or front bar is rammed - head to the back of the bottom floor where there are a few more tucked away. We ate in the restaurant, the food was delicious. The kitchen had a few hiccups but as is to be expected on opening weekend. The staff handled the errors with swift professionalism. By the time we finished eating, the upper lelevs were closing so we didn't get the opportunity to fully explore the new rooms and cocktail bars. Looking forward to doing that this weekend.

J. F.

Great restaurants, fantastic high class renovation of a classic hotel. Melbourne band MAMMAL almost blew off the roof last Friday, best band in the country 😍❤️💕 Keep up the local music scene and this place is #1

B. D.

Such an amazing renovation to an iconic Melbourne venue! The owners Sandhill Group haven’t just reopened the Espy but they’ve restored it to its former glory. Gone are the tacky wallpapers of the 80s and 90s now replaces with the old brickwork charm from a bygone era. The front bar is meticulously run with a host to greet you as you arrive flowing upstairs to an amazing fusion restaurant and then up another level which was previously inaccessible to a phenomenal whisky bar. All the staff here are knowledgeable and super friendly and will look after you well. One of the key parts of the venue - the Gershwin room is still here and it’s open for live music once again. The PA sounds great - has clearly been retuned. I can imagine I will be spending many summer nights here.

M. J.

Cool venue with 10+ different styled areas to drink. Excellent renovation and decor and beach views. Food available although didn't try it. Great service and interesting cocktail menu. Definite place to visit in Melbourne

M. P.

What an unbelievable reemergence of a great Melbourne icon. There is such an eclectic mix of old a new celebrating the parts of the Espy that made irlt great and opening up parts of it like we've never seen before. An enormous selection of beers on tap in the main bar with lots of great places to sit, with tasty and reasonably priced pub food. I never thought I in the same night could sit upstairs drinking a cocktail, stand in an atrium listening to a dj play what a fool believes and then walk down to the basement to hear a punk band play, all in the same venue, all in the same night. A must for anyone in Melbourne who celebrates good beer, good vibes, good music and great times.

T.

The Espy's reno has maintained it's soul but cleaned up the interior to make this a place you actively want to go. It caters to many crowds, the gig seekers, the footy watchers, the group of friends who want an outing. It's an iconic venue that has kept up with the times. We had the lobster roll and it was delicious. A well-rounded venue.

J. B.

Best event venue in St Kilda! Thanks for having us

S. M.

Many different bars and seating types to choose from. Great drinks and food. Amazing on a sunny day looking out over the bay

E. B.

Beautiful building friendly staff good food . Great place spend time with friends or solo friend drinks, plenty of space to hide, great view upstairs looking over st Kilda beach. Looking forward they open summer weekdays . Now available weekend all day including Friday .

A. M.

Since this place has been revamped it is absolutely beautiful. Really well done. Love the atmosphere on a chilled out sunny Sunday. Hard to get a table when the weather is good. Great people watching

J. L.

Mya Tiger and Ghost..... just gorgeous

C. J.

We ate upstairs at Mya Tiger - views of the pier were gorgeous! Food was sensational- standouts were the seasame prawn toasts, lobster bao and caramel eggplant. Service was also fantastic with all Covid protocols being observed

D. D.

Great setting, food was good, atmosphere was great - can't complain

P. S.

It's been there forever, and if you've ever been drunk in St Kilda, chances are you've visited. Nothing wanky, just beach side bevvies and reliable pub grub.

F. M.

Love the newly renovated Espy. Staff and security were attentive and had positive input toward the comfort and enjoyment of the patrons. Mya Tiger restaurant service was a wonderful dining experience. Great sharing plates. Sunset from 'the library' was a delightful way to end a sunny summer's day.

R. T.

The banquet at Miya Tiger was delicious and then heading up to the cocktail bar finished the night off on a high note.

C. G.

We ate at the Kitchen section down the back- very helpful to have a staff member lead us to the restaurant - even at 7.30 the bar area was packed! The service was great and the food fantastic. I would suggest sharing as the meals are substantial- we had the sharing plates and were so full!! You need an empty stomach for that! The chocolate mousse was heavenly! Very helpful and friendly staff. When leaving, we walked through an even more packed bar area so be prepared to take your time to weave through! Perhaps a lunch time visit on a week day next time!

O. M.

Amazing Food, Drinks, Staff and 🌈Vista

A. M.

The espy needs no introduction for the character it brings to St. Kilda. We walked in on a crowded summer's Aus oprb semifinal day and loved that we managed to get a table near the screen. I've docked a star purely because my g & t freeze tasted like a soft drink. The polenta chips were good(nothing to beat Fitzrovia yet) and the pizza was brilliant. A great place for an evening out, not that it needs my endorsement.

C. L.

Delicious share plates in the Espy Kitchen and yummy cocktails in the front bar overlooking the bay. Amazing reno - definitely worth a visit.

E. E.

Great old piece of Melbourne's history Food ok drinks ok service ok Above average

R. L.

It’s been revamped and now full blown millennial vibes with a line round the corner.. BUT the Gershwin Room still has Gomez and old school bands kicking around, which gets you in the door without the crazy line around the block 🙏🏽

M. S.

So much fun! The renovations are gorgeous. We got along for a birthday and had a booking in a function room. Such a great night! The lines to get in can be pretty long, definitely better to arrive early--but with a private function, there is virtually no line. I've been here a few times and always had a great night.

T. M.

I was at a function and the food and service was amazing what a place fully renovated and magnificent meet the owber and he gas such passion

M. F.

Great place to drink and eat. Pizzas are fantastic. Would not have expected that! Tons of beers and cocktails. Great prices and lots of fun.

V.

The Espy is pumping of a Saturday night, to the point of being uncomfortably overcrowded unfortunately. The drinks were great in the emerald lounge bar upstairs ~ the frozen lychee martini is sensationally delicious and refreshing. Highly recommend.

S. D.

Amazing night out. Great music, good vibes, great crowd and amazing DJ playing in the band room!

C. K.

Amazing vibes, had my graduation party at the Espy, thank you to Camille for making it such a special night.

A. M.

Always a great place to meet for a casual drink and a bite to eat

b. s.

Good vibe. Great sunday place. The bar food menu s awesome too

L. G.

My daughter and I had a fabulous time Jan 27th Monday Lunch so much to explore ...Adorable staff food and wine excellent

J. S.

Food was absolutely delicious, just make sure you're prepared for the spice. Beautiful venue. Very crowded and noisy downstairs, but it was a Saturday, so expected. It would be good if they could work on the acoustics in the restaurant, got very loud at times and couldn't hear the person sitting opposite me. Will have to try visiting on a week day.

C. M.

I get why they are doing the QR code ordering from the table but they need to back it up with good service when they deliver your order. Pretty perfunctory and not the Espy feel. Even didn't bother to take the empty glasses ...

J. G.

Espy is still going strong. I liked it a bit better when the carpets were sticky but all is good. Had a relaxing drink in there recently. Job well done to the restoration.

P. Y.

Great to people watch from the balcony with a cold beer and magnificent fresh seafood. Outstanding!

k. d.

Great rejuvenation of the Espy! Looks amazing. Nice zoning and tasteful and sympathetic renovation of the original Iconic pub ☺️

S. K.

What a terrific pub with an assortment of bars and a sensational view over the bay. They have live music which was top notch when I was there and the staff are so nice and friendly. It was so busy when I was there and it's easy to see why. The round fireplace is just amazing and I will return during the winter so I can experience it to the max. Definitely a must go kinda place 👍👍👍

S. K.

A lot more upmarket than when I drank there when I was young. Still had a pretty decent atmosphere

F. R.

Wow! What a joint! This place has the buzz, the atmosphere and the glamour without the pretentiousness. A must!

J. V.

Fantastic Service - Delicious Food within this Iconic and respectfully restored landmark in St Kilda ! Definately will return !!!

J. H.

Recently refurbished.. love the feel and decor. Great coffee and super nice service.

A. A.

Definitely an interesting pub to visit with a recent trendy refurbishment making it a quite popular place to stop for a beverage. Had a couple of cocktails that were lovely but for the price, the tide was quite low if you know what I mean (picture)

N.

Great food & drinks. Memorable experience with Darcey! She was awesome :)

R. H.

Nice place, nicely cation, mostly nice food, bit costly tho but not horrible.

A. G.

They have done a great job renovating. The Espy was my favorite venue back in the nineties I miss the dive it used to be but love what it has become. Great atmosphere!

B. H.

We booked a table in the main bar. Really didn't expect it to be so loud and busy on a Sunday night. They seated us in a booth that was a bit quieter, fortunately. The food, however, was really good and all four of us really enjoyed our meals.

G. H.

This is an amazing bar! The prices are very reasonable for the location, with a cool worn look decor. Vegan pizza options available

A. d.

It is very spacious with lots of different spaces and a beautiful ocean view.

A. M.

Wow what a renovation. Great atmosphere. Try the private bar at the top. Great fun!

J. L.

Great location, great decor and ambience. A bit over price for what you get but worth the visit

J. P.

Our 2nd wedding anniversary @The Espy Kitchen first class meals at reasonable prices. Best steak I have EVER had, husband says " best mussels and oysters ever" !!! Hats off to the chef's and team! We will absolutely be returning! THANKS for your hospitality 👍

M. F.

Great spot to go grab a drink! Historic location. Beautiful venue. The music was slightly too loud to actually chat though... The bar gets really busy so bar service can sometimes be slow. The food was pretty tasty and they were nice enough to accommodate my gluten-free friend.

L. R.

Great customer service, wonderful coffee and those burgers are magical! Atmosphere is cozy, inviting and clean. Toilets are clean. Definitely worth a visit!

D. R.

Amazing new age twist on a old classic building, great selection of food and drinks.

P. T.

Beautiful atmosphere, great service and delicious food and cocktails

S. O.

Loved it, great food, done such a good job on the renos

H. M.

The Espi hotel is well worth visiting. The atmosphere is great and staff very friendly. Lunch unfortunately average. Lobster in roll, very nice, roll stale. Prawn cocktail, not fresh, not pealed properly and lousy presentation. Must have been a bad Tuesday. Will go again because of vibe and staff

A. K.

Such a great vibe! Awesome different rooms to try! Always a fun time

D. W.

Dined at Mya Tiger, Radikha was the best part of the night... she guided us through the menu, made sure we always had a drink and gave a light fun to the whole experience. Great place for the food and drinks but the staff are definitely the ones that make this a musk visit

P. M.

Love this place being going there for over 25 years now.

S. B.

Tristan on the main bar - what can I say. How refreshing to experience your incredible service. Knowledgeable, attentive and personable.. Helped us to decide what we needed without even trying. You are an absolute credit to this establishment!

K.

Amazing vibe, incredible history, awesome place for drinks, so many bars and several restaurants. This place is one of the most important buildings in Melbourne history, the original owner built it as a luxury hotel, as well as funding a very large part of the national gallery of Victoria which was the largest in the world at the time. The Espy has had a roller-coaster past but fortunately it's current owner is really passionate about art, music and the Espy.

G. M.

A different vibe to the old Espy however the basement was cool..

E. T.

The newly revamped Espy. Loved the dining space Mya Tiger, excellent Chinese food with the highlight being the steamed fish of the day. Beautifully cooked tasty dishes, good drinks and fantastic staff. Meanwhile on the lower level, being Straya Day it was swamped with drunk Basics gyrating/staggering to a mix of Gold FM faves and whatever Basics listen to these days. Not as pretty or subdued as Mya Tiger. Bring back my old Espy weirdos and indie rocker types!

M. H.

Completely renovated and freaking amazing! They did a spectacular job -- go see for yourself. Lots of space to explore, and every one of them designed with a detailed eye.

L. M.

Fun venue, huge so you can almost always get in (if you aren’t plastered). 4/5 because drinks are expeeeensive! 3 rounds can cost 80 dollars, yikes. Great place though. (Protip: ask reception about the ghost.)

E. M.

A group of us came to the Espy on a Saturday night for some drinks, dancing and fun. It was a really great night, and despite having to wait in the queue for a very long time, it was absolutely worth it. Thanks to all the staff - bartenders, security guards, cleaners, DJs, and everyone involved. The Espy is definitely the right place to be on a Saturday night!

S. T.

Magical iconic hotel. Lively and buzzing with the energy of the good times at hand. Food was amazing in the Asian restaurant. They've thoughtfully maintained the history and therefore the essence of this beautiful hotel. Highly recommend a visit

R. G.

Mya Tiger - great food, great service and great atmosphere. Yeah its not cheap, but it is worth it..

S. J.

Amazing design in redevelopment. Great decore, they have done well.

D. A.

Can not explain how well bar staff JAMES looked after us. After a food order issue I was well looked after by James on the Bar staff in the bar in front of the studio. Absolute legend in taking responsibility for the situation and amended it to my satisfaction. What a vibe this place is. Thank you!

R. K.

A little loud for comfort for me, good was good and location had good surrounding views

T. H.

A must visit purely for the history & location. Expensive "poured from bulk" cocktails.

K. “. F.

Came for a quiet drink and had one of the best nights dancing to one of the funkiest bands I have ever heard "China Beach" they totally grooved the Basement!!! Bring them back!!

R. E.

Mya Tiger Christmas at the Espy was fabulous. The food was absolutely on my point. Staff were all friendly, helpful and provided perfect service. Great setting the decor including the Harry Potter loos was very stylish.

d. f.

Looks great. Nice food and selection of beers

L. Y. X.

nothing going to be worse if you come here for some drinks. old hotel look make you like in the old day. chill and relax

J.

Hotel Esplanade was good, friendly atmosphere although a little smelly, in need of a new ventilation system! But over all it was a good night. Closed at 2am disappointing but great location St Kilda by the beach.

J. C.

Awesome place for a drink. Great ambience, decent cocktails, great location. But food is overpriced and average. So many better restaurants in St Kilda.

t. n.

The pizza was amazing, order a pint instead of a beer bottle, no double serves for wine, though. But the experience was good, staffs were amazing as they check you out every now and then. The place is an old victorian hotel feel, if you like that kind of vibes, go for it, we got the best seats too, balcony, in front of st.kilda beach ☺️

A. T.

Had a really memorable Sunday lunch here yesterday at the Espy Kitchen. We had a table for 9 and had to prepay - which I am never happy about. Prepaid lunch worked out to be $65 per head which is on the slightly steep side HOWEVER quality and quantity of the food was brilliant and well worth it. The Espy Kitchen is a basement style kitchen - quite dark so if you are after something lighter maybe check out Mya Tiger Chinese Restaurant on the upper level. Having said that it was a very nice setting and quite cosy and you can easily walk through to other parts of the hotel and bar areas. The parking sitauation around the hotel is pretyy horrendous on a Sunday arvo so would recoomend taxi or Uber if possible. Service really was commendablet by our head waiter Bruna - she really looked after us and is a credit to the venue. Hotel fitout is amazing - well worth checking out all the rooms and bars. Definitely will return.

M. P.

Great venue. Awesome location. Magic views over the bay at sunset. The revamped layout has really made a difference to this stalwart of the Melbourne pub scene. I really enjoyed it with the inside outside options and the views inside through the glass versus the cosy indoor tables. Really well thought out. Making the most of the location. Get there and watch the sun go down.

D. G.

Mia Tiger is such a great restaurant. Perfect food and location

C. L.

One of my all time favourite places. Sports bar downstairs. EDM in the Gershwin Room on Saturdays. Great restaurant. Brilliant cocktail bar on top floor in Ghost of Alfred Felton Bar. General frivolity on the main floor.

B. C.

Hi, We had a Microflite function in your gorgeous upstairs room last night. Kate was sensational & her service was beyond exceptional. She managed to cater to everyones needs with a positive attitude to each & everyone one of us. Thank you Kate for a delightful evening. Belinda :)

S. R.

Great atmosphere especially with the view of the esplanade and water. The sun was setting there was a nice vibe! The beer was good and the Chicken Parmigiana was delicious. I had the choc tart for dessert which was good. The customer service was excellent this is a great reason to come back. Thanks to Liam for his great service and the managers for such a nice venue!

j. o.

Best open mic night in st kilda, there is different acts every week, I am always blown away by the talent of the artists each visit Fantasticly set up and has amazing sound quality. Well worth a trip down on the Tuesday's and Thursdays

K. M.

Venue is second to none, food and service is first class. Renovation is outstanding and has been faithfully done. A not to miss place

P. M.

Such a great vibe. Best cocktails

O. P.

Great place, loved the décor. A big thank you to Ellie for being so warm, friendly and very accommodating. I'll definitely be visiting again thanks to her customer service :)

A. G.

Beautiful space, great staff, incredible location

L. R.

I went out tonight with two of my girlfriends. We were having an incredible time at the Espy. The drinks were reasonably priced, the crowd was good and the music was great. We were dancing on the d-floor, throwing out our best moves and this guy would not leave us alone. He kept grinding on me and my friends, so we moved. He followed us, wouldn't leave me alone, so I threw my drink at him. At this moment, I fully expected to be removed from the venue. After all, I had just thrown a drink at someone. Instead, the security guard approached me, made sure me and my friends were okay, and removed the man from the venue. I just want to say a HUGE thank you to the Espy for looking out for women and understanding how a situation escalates. I will definitely return to this establishment as they look out for women and have fantastic crowd control skills. Thank you so, so much!

T. D.

Quite a long wait for cocktails, but they were very good. Recommend the frozen G&T - tasted just like a frosty fruit icy pole!

R. S.

Lovely place to visit and have a meal in Melbourne .

K.

Had lunch here today. While the food wasn't bad at all, charging $16 for a moreton bay bug roll, the size of your index finger, is a bit rich. The other prices on the menu for other items seem to be a lot better value for money. If I had of known the size prior to ordering I would have ordered something else. Other than that, the venue has been renovated well, with friendly and attentive staff. Will be back again for sure.

B. J.

Haven't been here since they redeveloped it. There's now a huge high rise residential apartment block where the beer garden used to be. Pretty exy now, $12 for a pint of Carlton draught, $10 for a bowl of chips

I. G.

Stunning venue. What they've managed to achieve is breathtaking. The crowd can be a bit swanky for me, but overall - it's one of Melbourne's treasures.

D. H.

Bit pretentious but if that's what you want then it's good. You may feel out of place if you can't pull off skinny jeans and the no-sock look! Girls are pretty though ;) Loud music and plenty of young partying people later on weekends

D. L.

The iconic venue has had some extensive renovations. It's fantastic with numerous bars and restaurants throughout the establishment. the atmosphere is vibrant and well worth a visit here. I would possibly give 5 stars however I didn't eat here only drinks passing through.

C. P. S.

The Espy kitchen in the Esplanade hotel was a fantastic experience last night for Valentines night. We didn’t start well at the previous venue and decided not to have dinner as my wife is vegetarian and they ran out of the dish she wanted at 6.30pm. We stumbled across the Espy. kitchen. Great greeting and wait service amazing. We sat at the food bar watching the chefs. They are a professional well oiled machine. The food was incredible. Well worth trying.

Z. K.

I'm not hot enough to be comfortable in this strange place

S. M.

YOU HAVE TO GO!!! Mya Tiger Asian inspired cuisine was perfection! followed by a trip upstairs to the Ghost bar where my girlfriends and I were greeted by the most hospitable, warm and welcoming staff members Josh, Emma, Mika and of course the one and only Francesco who also managed to deliver the most amazing spicy margaritas and negroni’s we’ve EVER tasted!!! I honestly could not speak more highly of our overall experience at the Espy. Hands down 100 points for food, service and overall decor/ presentation. I’ll definitely be coming back again and again.

J. F.

I would like to give a huge shout out to the team at the Espy Kitchen. You made my Saturday lunch with my parents just perfect. We have since rebooked as a result of the incredible food and personalised service. An ever bigger shout out to Rads*. Your attention to detail and generosity of spirit has resurged my faith in the hospitality industry in a post covid world. Thank you!!!!

P. B.

Huge changes since old days. Only saw the public bar this visit, but service there was great. Unfortunately glass collectors removed my drink 3 times when I was at bar ordering! Had a pizza which was very good, thin crispy base. Will be back to venture further in.

K. I.

Great ambiance. Old hotel with a lot of personality. The mushroom burger was delicious. The fish & chips were just normal and the roast pumpkin side was quite substantial and tasty. The coffee was great

A. K.

My sister had her wedding here, it was aswesome, plenty of food and drinks, friendly staff and good service, everyone had a great time. Of course in a great location.

K. F.

A fabulous old place being lovingly restored. Quirky and interesting. We'll be back to explore some more next trip!

T. S.

Great food, great atmosphere, friendly staff. The fried chicken gives colonel sanders a run for his money. The scallops was delicious and the fried calamari very nice. All the food coming from the kitchen looked amazing. We will definitely be returning.

B. D.

The recent renovations have made this iconic venue really stand out. It's just like the old Espy, only Espier. Heaps of bars, diverse crowd. Plenty of old mixed with new, but the new really stands out. In fact, the upstairs green room toilets, are some of the cleanest I've seen. If though, you're feeling nostalgic, never fear; a quick trip to the lower bar toilets and the smell will bring you right back to your senses, reeking of you quintessential, St. Kilda live music establishment!

A. W.

We went to the Esplanade Hotel Cocktail bar on level two. We took the elevator up from ground floor and stepped back in time to a warm and inviting space lovingly restored and enhanced to reflect the charm of the old Espy. The artwork, furniture, furnishings and floor covering make for an amazing amabience. Then there are the friendly but passionate wait staff and cocktail bar staff. There are beers available, regular mixers with a comprehensive list of gins. I will definitely return.

S. C.

Really cool vibe. Went especially to try the Four Pillars Gin....Sticky Carpet. Didnt disappoint.

Y. K.

Great ambiance with amazing staff!

J. D.

I miss the old sticky floors and dingy pool room out back, but times change and The Espy has kept up with the times, still two band rooms and many other rooms to keep you entertained through out the night.

B. B.

Pretty authentic feel of the espy which is great. They haven’t made it something it’s not. The service can be a bit hit and miss and the meals are pretty ordinary (in the bar) but great to go for a beer or two in the afternoon. Light and airy and good mixed crowd.

M. G.

Old school favorite! been many times over the year (coming from WA) missed it while it was closed down last couple of times I visited st kilda, but it's still a great place to kick back & drink.

J. K.

Beautiful venue brought back to life which has maintained the iconic St. Kilda vibe.

j. t.

Amazing place to work at. The building is beautiful, management is great, the staff is a great group of people and the crowd is amazing. Yes we might be busy on weekends and that may result in food taking a bit longer or having to wait a bit for a table but that just shows how much people love it there. As the venue becomes more established, practices will become better and food will come out quicker. We love the feedback so tell us how we are doing! We appreciate it so we can offer the best service for the amazing guests! Cheers

L. T.

Didn’t like either of the desserts we ordered on the ground floor. They both tasted like they came from a freezer and had been heated up. Went to the cocktail bar up the lift which is cosy. Don’t order the kale cocktail “kale in comparison”, unless you enjoy drinking savoury green juice as that’s exactly what it tastes like.

A. F.

Good drink, great easy going vibe. Quite loud.

B. A. P.

Amazing service,venue,cocktails,food & views!

M. S.

Good pub fare and plus one star for vibe, view and location.

I. S.

Truly this place is crazy, for those of us who are not entirely local in this city, it will be a bit difficult for us to understand. This place is widely known in Melbourne and is always crowded. If you want to get a good place, you have to book or arrive early. The food is good and the drinks menu is extensive. The prices are somewhat varied, but not very cheap. The place has several levels, the music is good and it lends itself to dancing. Highly recommended, especially in summer 👌

M. F.

I thought this place had closed down for renovations, I think they forgot to renovate, unless they were going for the grimy 80s pub look. They have a good selection of beer but the food was terrible. The "cheese" burger was dry and tasteless, the chicken parma was something you'd expect as a lunchtime special for $10 including a pot of beer, but it was $24 and no beer! The steak, while cooked as ordered and tender, was ruined by the way-too-salty sauce and the "salad" was just chopped up cabbage with (way too much) fresh mint. Also, the chips were overcooked. Great potential but failed.

S. G.

So happy the Espy is back! It was pumping with every sort of person and it was wonderful

K. E.

Had lunch at Maya Tiger and I cannot rave enough about every element! It's very rare in my experience to get such amazing service in a packed restaurant. Efficient, friendly, accommodating and the list goes on. Add to that the wonderful food, and I mean wonderful it's a must go to

A. S.

Having just opened after a lengthy renovation I wasn't sure what to expect. After visiting the newly opened venue I was thoroughly impressed with what had been done. Great beers and beautiful interior. Plenty of spaces to enjoy an afternoon beer in the sunshine. Get down there, you won't regret it.

R. M.

Very nice food was lovely

C. S.

Amazing old building with character in every room. A unique venue that can provide for any demographic over an entire evening from after work drinks, to pre dinner cocktails, family dinner, late night dancing. This place has it all but still somehow remains niche in its delivery of the experience. Amazing food but more importantly at pricing that can provide real value. Could definitely spend an entire night here.

P. N.

An amazing new look to the espy! The place has so much to offer, with casual bars to restaurants to the ghost room the view is amazing and the list of cocktails is delicious. Their open kitchen concept is great. Will definitely recommend it for a great place to hangout with friends and/or date night

g. s.

Great place not what it used to be but all in the name of progress

L. D.

Fantastic service and food!

M. P.

Had not been there since it opened again. Place looks cool and is massive, you could almost get lost. Food is good and staff is very friendly and accomodating. They could have a couple of more beers on tap. All on all a good spot for drinks and a snake if you are in the area.

A. B.

So much to see, it's a great joint, just don't expect to talk over the live music 😂 so many bars, 2 restaurants, give it a go!

T. R.

Still a nice venue with great bay views, but a little less character post renovations. You can't just stand on the staircase inside because a security guy will come up to you and ask 'are you going up or down?'. Sad times in Australia - wouldn't happen in a European venue.

j. b.

This venue has been renovated beautifully, has a great vibe, fun staff and cool crowd. Put it on your list of things to do in Melbourne. Arrive early if you don't like a queue. Either way once your inside you will love it.

I. “. H.

We were a table of 5 in for a birthday dinner. Definitely recommend booking here as it's really busy almost all of the time! They have a free/urban/relaxed sort of setting where the food comes out 'as and when ready' rather than all together. We were in the back room and noise was unreal - we couldn't hear each other speak and it was so packed and busy it took quite a long time to order and get noticed when we asked for extra bits. We had burgers and fish etc, which was really nice and tasty, but for us the atmosphere was much better suited to younger/student crowds who don't mind lots of noise. Also, most of the tables are stools under high tables which are bolted down so it's a bit harder if you have older guests. There aren't any pics on the website of the seating areas within this restaurant so that would definitely be helpful in the future to help set the vibe of the style of this place. Overall, good food but definitely not suitable for a nice dinner (with starters mains, where you can relax over a few hours per course), it's more a quick fast food young person's hangout - very very noisy!

J. E.

A place to go to be seen, gets really packed, hardly any seats, and drinks are a bit expensive, the crowd has a good vibe and the establishment has a great style and feel too it. Music is good and they have live music often. Good range of age groups from 18 the over 60, and the restaurant looks nice.

Y. B.

It'd been years since I'd come to the Espy, and I'm very impressed with how they've renovated. Keeping the feeling of the original, while utilising great design to update to today. The staff are friendly and helpful, and the food and drink choice is enough to keep you wanting to try more.

D. M.

Wow! The renovation is pretty special, and not for the boozey late nights I remember the Espy for either. Now it's a bit upmarket and chic, we had lunch at the new restaurant upstairs and it was a lush experience. Very nice fresh food and just so much going on visually you can sit and soak it up for hours.

D. R.

4.5! Really like the renovation. The bars look amazing! The food at the back kitchen was awesome. Had the roasted Wagyu. Was awesome and more filling than first thought. The only thing that was disappointing was the gravy for the chicken. Good times and great have the Espy back!!

S. H.

Great place to meet up with friends or for a casual business dinner. If you are lucky enough, you might be able to get up to the Ghost Bar on the top level, which can only be accessed by the concierge key. Quirky cocktail bar that reflects the best of the Melbourne bar scene.

H. F.

One of - or perhaps THE - most iconic pubs of Melbourne. The renovations have created a place far from the grungy Espy days of old. We sat in the front bar which is filled with light. The chandeliers are contrasted old photos of rock legends. There are many more areas to explore, so we will definitely be back.

v.

Good vibes and nice pizza!

G. G.

Due to lack of staff. The place didn't function aswell as it should.

C. K.

Brilliant after the renos. Even though there is lots of space, it so popular that it always seems crowded, however I don't really mind that at all. The dinner area at the rear works well for me. We recently attended a function at the upstairs bar which has a decent balcony with a bay view. The bar itself was well staffed with plenty of drink options, Pinot Grigio, IPAs, top shelf drinks so didn't need to go downstairs at all. Plenty of area for speeches, a DJ and dancing. I would have never thought of the Espy being a place for a wedding reception, however the new renovations have created new spaces like this. Also good to see the typical eclectic mix of people hasn't changed, albeit they seem to be getting younger. Or perhaps that's me getting older. Hey, just go and enjoy the revamped Espy!

S. B.

The entire hotel the restaurant, bars, lobby was just packed up. It was hard to look around at the hotel. The security guard at the front very friendly he told me in a friendly I could not bring an outside drink so, I drink as much as I can and throw it out and he let me back into the hotel to look around. I went to the check out the hotel on Easter Sunday 21-April It was on a cloudy day warm outside. It sure a lovely hotel over looking the ocean Maybe I will stay there for one night:)

D. O.

The espi is an amazing hotel!!! With its unique old charm this hotel has plenty and plenty to offer and just as you've thought you've seen it all here it just keeps on giving to it's patrons!! You can eat chill out have a beverage or kick back enjoy the atmosphere and watch some amazing live talent!!!

T. S.

This place is incredible. So beautiful and nice. Absolutely loved it. But, I’ve been here several times. I know it’s $10.50 for a captian Morgan and $18 for an espresso martini. They charged me $35 last night for the both of them. Overcharged me nearly $7!! A lot of new staff so they need to be making sure they’re ringing in items correctly. Disappointed at this, but I will still be back.

Z. S.

The Espy was like a second home to me. The Gersh still feels exactly the same as it always has which is great! The rest of the place is not the espy I knew and loved but they have still made it beautiful and the restaurant in the back is amazing! Definitely still a place I love to go to.

C. C.

Stylish spot, nice staff, trendy decor. Review for casual lunch: Can get very busy. Tip: the "terrace" room upstairs on the left has AC and a nice light, probably the most comfortable spot on a hot sunny day (except if you're only going there to see and be seen, but spots downstairs under the glass ceilings get very hot). I do not however recommend the greens vegan salad (unless you fiercely love burnt broccoli), it's OK but far from great. Perhaps the other two dining options offer better food.

D. C.

Recent refurbishment is fresh and exciting, the beer selection is top notch! However the removal of the front bar stage in the renovations was a let down for me, the TV bar near the front (the old Espy kitchen) is a cluster f#%k and pointlessly used as over flow drinking area. The new whiskey bar is awesome but the audio spill from downstairs was annoying and clashed with the DJ upstairs. Hopefully these issues will be resolved in some upgrades

B. M. N.

Good music, good service and reasonable prices. You have enough place to dance with your friends. Taxis are just in the front. We had a great night over there! And I will come back for sure!

M.

Lunch and drinks at the upstairs bar. Very nice. Great service.

L. A.

Good place great food Good staff

J. L.

I like it! If you go upstairs to Mya tiger, get the 5 spice highball

h. c.

Dinner was lovely, food was great and service was friendly and personal.. thank you Colin and Phil! Whilst the cocktails had in the upstairs lounge afterwards were really very good, the service experienced there was below par on such a level I would expect better at a local McDonald’s.

C. G.

Pub has lots of different areas each with there own identity. Great atmosphere however the food in the kitchen restaurant didn’t live up to expectations. Will visit again for drinks and to try the Asian restaurant.

T. C.

Terrible venue for live music. The gig I went to was overcrowded. I think they'd sold too many tickets for the Gershwin Room's capacity. The room was hot. The queue at the bar was 6 people deep all along - so, not only were you covered in sweat, you couldn't move and you couldn't get a drink. When the gig finished, the 500 odd people in the Gershwin Room tried to leave. There is only one door and you have to exit through the main room. That room was even hotter than the Gershwin Room and was packed with people dancing. Heaven forbid there was a fire! It was near on impossible to get out of the place. I certainly won't be attending another gig in the Gershwin Room. I'll be frequenting venues that are more interested in hosting great bands and providing a good experience for punters, not obsessed with making money as the Espy is now.

D. C.

Great atmosphere, amazing cocktails. The Cantonese cuisine at the Mya Tiger restaurant is superb. Many bars inside the venue for any kind of taste. And music until dawn.

N. G.

The place has completely changed from yesterday and has a nicer brighter interior. Draws people from all crowds regardless of age. I didn't wait too long at the be before being served, however, it does get very busy, and there are often queues to get in.

S. B.

The new upgrade is so wow, is it even the same venue?! There's such a great vibe and so many hidey holes to explore. The venue is huge and yet it felt so cosy and bustling. Beer on tap was pretty great too! Love it!

C. H.

This is an amazingly beautiful historic pub. Full of cool spaces. And has plenty of interesting beers available. However, be prepared to pay though the nose for average food. 26$ for fish and chips which is insanity, fish was passable, but a bit dry, and chips where run of the mill. Highlight was the coleslaw. I would avoid eating here.

s. a.

Nicely refurbished. Cool atmosphere.

K. B.

I took a group of people with disabilities for lunch today and was very impressed. The staff were more than accommodating escorting us to the lift and moving tables and chairs around to make sure we were comfortable. Fast food and drink service too. I couldn’t be happier.

N. V.

They have done a fantastic job at renovating this venue. It attracts a broad age range. I very much enjoyed the ‘dark and frosty’ cocktail on a hot summer afternoon!

A. L.

Great venue, good vibe. Solid beer selections.

F. M.

The venerable "Espy" has undergone a major renovation recently and it's looking pretty cool these days. Great place to grab a beer and watch the sun go down. We had dinner inside and the back restaurant and the food was amazing. To end the night off we went up th lift to the Ghost bar to finish on a great selection of whiskeys. Highly recommend the new Espy!

N. B.

I caught up with a very close friend at end of CoVid and she suggested the Espy. Great upgrade, but I tell you, the best part if lunch was the cocktail Sun Sparkle Shower. And, Matt (I think that was his name) head waiter was great.

R. B.

Amazing renovation, a good place for a drink. Food is pretty average. Very busy and happening place. It's still haunted by some dark entities in the hallway and upstairs. You may see a ghost!

F. K.

The Espy has become our new favourite after just one visit. Ticks all the boxes - great food and cocktails, fabulous atmosphere, friendly and professional staff (shout out to Colin in the Mya Tiger bar who looked after us so well). Would happily while away a few hours here alone or with a crowd. Congratulations to the architects and designers - such an impressive makeover. We'll be back

B. P.

Update Jan 17 2020. Been back The The Espy twice for a feed and been a let down both times. The poached chicken and noodle salad was like a soup swimming in a coconut milk dressing that drowned all the flavours and the lentil burger is a mushy patty in a flavourless bun with 3 slices of cucumber and a lettuce leaf with a nothing dressing. A real disappointment and no zero alcohol beer. I’ll go back for a drink and/or try the other restaurants but never the pub menu again. Loving the rebirth of The Espy, great design and a host of different bars, though no dark beer on tap is a bit of a let down, fantastic live music and good food. Everything a pub should be.

J.

Amazing refurbishment - the Chicken Parmie was first rate only criticism would be more beer and spirits selection as they were pretty limited

K. C.

The Espy is looking amazing!! The work put into it, to bring it back to it's glory, shows in all of the details. Each level, and different area has it's own feel, while still being part of the whole. It was great to see that the basement was still being used for live bands; the Gershwin room looks fabulously grand; the view from the upper rooms was delightful at night, and feel decadent with the premium cocktails you can get there. There is certainly something for everyone at The Espy

A. F.

Really lovely atmosphere. We wanted to see the roof/top floor, but we were not given access, so our drinks were on the house. The personnel made sure to apologise and make us feel welcomed.

G. S.

Look, the DJ guy was not the best, old music, couldn't mix the songs into each other very well. Though was fun, good atmosphere, really a place to eat then drink and move onto somewhere else for fun and good music.

j. t.

St Kilda is a suburb with extraordinary history. Not only back then but continues as the yrs go by. There was 3 venues back in the day that screamed st Kilda and the rough. You had the Seaview ballroom a place where punk and early 80's very underground music was played. That is now the George hotel, then it was another great place still there but not the same since it was renovated but still a great place it's the The Prince of Wales and last the best in my opinion one because of it's size and the ability to have 3 bands playing The Esplanade hotel aka The espy. This was and is a great place to hear new bands coming through existing bands and some big names playing there. It had character it had a history of great music and it was a all round great place to be at any day or time of the week. It was grungy it was raw and the changes some good some bad it attracted every type of people and music sub culture. It was the place to if you liked music. Over the yrs it had to fight developers and big companies who wanted it to become apartments. It closed and a lot of us thought it would never open again. How wrong it opened and yes it has been renovated it's not the grungy old espy but a very well renovated espy. I have to handed to the people who bought and spend the money on it. They brought back close to the original the Gershwin room still there the restaurant up stairs the front bar has changed but the signature staircase is there and look's great. Very impressive and some might say lost its character the way I see it that place had changed a lot before I started going there so here it starts again still playing music and still standing. Haven't tried the new kitchen or there good but I can't see it not being as good as the hotel looks. Keep rocking Just posting some more pics to see the beauty of the building

P. L.

I booked a table in Mya Tiger for 14 people online and when we arrived there was no sign of my booking, the website showed a confirmation page but failed to send through an email confirmation which I didn't check. 'G' the manager of the restaurant when we arrived was exceptional!! Even though the restaurant was full he managed to get us all seated together in another area and bought all of us a round of drinks to apologise for the table not being booked. It was probably a glitch in the system but 'G' went above and beyond to make sure we were all catered for and happy. The banquet meal was unreal and everyone enjoyed it 100%!! Thanks again 'G' for all of your hospitality.

B. M.

The facelift has definitely changed the espy, but there is still a cool vibe to the place. Good selection of beers. Don't order food here if in a hurry, took nearly an hour to have 1 pizza come out of the kitchen.

a. w.

Best Asian food I've ever had. Everything was amazing. Massive venue but managed to keep all the history after the Reno. Great place to have a drink or a meal. I didn't want to leave

S. H.

Beautifully renovated with fabulous different bar spaces to drink.

R. C.

Loved the food at Mya Tiger but it’s really not enjoyable to be told constantly you need to leave soon because your 1.5 hours are nearly up. Ruins any chance to relax, we really wanted to stay for cocktails and dessert but were told we didn’t have time. Just not professional but the food itself was lovely.

K. E.

Chicken parm comes served with rocket salad and chips (fries). In America we normally serve it with or over pasta. This is the second time in Aus that we've had it served this way. I'm not sure if that's typical for Aus or not, but I like it. Espy Kitchen bar is nice but very loud/lively, full of mostly millennials during our visit. We couldn't get a booking in the actual restaurant since we were just walk-ins, but found a large, comfy booth in a quiet area of the middle bar. Food and drinks can be ordered from the bar and are delivered to your table a la "fast casual" restaurants in USA. Friendly staff, as you would expect in Melbourne. 🤓😎

R. D.

Love that they kept the historical loòk of this icon building when they refurbished it. If only the walls could speak...what great stories they would have... fantastic!

R. M.

The new venue as a whole is aesthetically great, unfortunately the prices are outrageously high for the product you receive (for example a $24 chicken parmigiana doesn’t come with ham?!?!??? among other things) I feel super ripped off. Definitely does not hold the old espy character either. Gentrification gone mad!!!!!!!

C. B.

Such a fun place with a few different vibes - DJ and dance upstairs, listen to a band downstairs, take in the view from the balcony... only thing is they’re letting too many people in so it gets hectic and crowded (can barely move in the dance area). Still a good night out though!

A. “. J.

Great, great bar for a warm st. Kilda summer night! There are so many caves and crevices each with a different themed bar to explore that you lose track of which ones you've been to on the night! Make sure you check out the sunset from the ghost bar on the top floor.

M. L.

Great venue great pub food

R. F.

One off my favourite venues in st Kilda. Every visit, it's been good music and nice atmosphere. Can get a tad busy at the bar on a Saturday. Avoid the espresso martinis.

S. G.

Great atmosphere and awesome fit out after renovations were done.

J. W.

Ate at Espy Kitchen: Service was wonderful (thanks Beth!) and the food was great. Major issue with our experience was the freezing cold draught that came in every time someone left the door open. We got up an number of times to close it because it was too cold to leave it open 🥶

C.

This place is the real deal holyfield Several great bars inside an area where bands can play, good selection of beers at a fair price, delicious food and a all round damn good time! Better to go earlier rather then later as this place gets absolutely choccas! But is definitely worth the wait and always a good night! Staff are super friendly and accommodating too, you can organise events through email if need be too! Great for a feed, a Saturday night all nighter or a cheeky sunday seshhh! enjoy!

M. L.

The security staff @ Espe were very welcoming , friendly and helpful which was refreshing to witness - makes all the difference. The crowd was also pretty good. I do like what they have / haven't done to the revamped Espe - well done team! I'd last been there in the early 2000's pre-closure and Reno, very happy to report the essence of the place was still very much in line with the memories I have from those days.

K. P.

We really enjoyed our pizzas and the view across the bay. Great renovations

A. P.

I came to the Espy last night for the first time since they reopened and wow. The atmosphere is electric and the music is great! We had the pleasure of being served by a young lady called Ella in the ‘Main Bar’ and despite it being so busy, she gave her undivided attention to us as she made our drinks, and even explained and let us have a try of the Espy’s collaboration with Four Pillars Gin. She handled the pressure of the Saturday night rush extremely professionally and didn’t look a bit phased by the stress of others. Ella made us 2 cocktails, the “Sparkle Sour” and “500 Days” and they were delicious! Can’t wait to be back.

F. J.

Adorable little restaurant with delicious food. Also safe in this COVID environment. Never came into contact with anyone, never had to touch anything aside from my table, and plenty of hand sanitizer

B. G.

Headed down to the Espy for a 40th on a wet and miserable Melbourne Saturday night. The pub has changed a lot since the renovation but unlike a few others that we have been to recently there is still enough of the old pub so as to feel like the grand old dame we know and love. The downstairs bars were pumping with long queues to get in but luckily for us our party was in the Ghost of Alfred Felton on the top level away from the maelstrom. We were escorted up in the lift by the concierge crew and stepped out into an amazing space with views over the bay. Service was second to none and a great night was had by all. A fitting place to celebrate a milestone birthday, a fitting tribute to Alfred Felton and a fitting renovation of a great old pub.

C. G.

Wonderful job they've done revamping this place. Caters for everyone. Staff were wonderful, views great accessibility easy via public transport. Would have given it 5 stars if the drink prices were better.

T. W.

I’ve been here a few times and Matty from the public bar with the rough voice has been outstanding both times! Such a great bloke and an amazing bartender! Thank you for looking after us!

E. W.

Stumbled across this place as Sydney-siders with a couple of days in Melbourne. The pub is in a beautiful location and an incredible fit out. Great customer service from management after having a couple of front of house issues.

L. A.

Great collection of bars, good selection of drinks. Would definitely come again when more of the event spaces are open. A lovely spot to while away a few hours watching the sea.

L. T.

Chefs believe they are beyond world class and can’t simply add olives to a pizza containing 4 ingredients in a quite time of the afternoon. Disappointed to say the least, really shook some starts off there, one star taken for their attitude and another for the lack of minuscule flexibility. Hope this reaches the man in charge....

D. J.

Absolutely loved it. What a great atmosphere. Absolutely packed. Good vices. Great sunset. Had the banquet upstairs and what a lovely meal. Definitely recommend.

S. H.

Lovley bar and great staff. We had a burger and mussels. Mussels - sauce was great but 5 unopened and too many shrivelled mussels, very few plump ones. Bread was like a pita...should have been more bready to soak up the juice. Burger- nice basic burger, chips were fantastic. Came with a side of shredded cabbage which i found had no taste..it either needed a zing or something...bland. Overall i think pizzas looked great and will give that a try next time.

B. S.

Unbelievable! What a transformation. You couldn't have a better view, with a fabulous drinks list and great vibe. This is the hot spot in Melbourne so get there early or you won't get in at all. Multilevel all with views of the water and a great summer sunset

E.

Nice place however strange vibe for the gig I went to. They had a row of chairs in front of the artist and roped off standing area behind. Really ruined the atmosphere of the gig so much that even the artist commented on it when he came on.

J. E.

I didn't think they could do it, this place has been one of my favourite venues for over 20 years and had fears the renovations would kill the vibe but absolutely not. Awesome layout, great staff, cool drink and food options! You must go!

D. F.

The nature of this transformation can only be truly experienced in person. The new custodians of this iconic music venue needs to be seen and experienced in person to fully appreciate. There is the perfect mix of indoor bar venue, music and food.

A. W.

Great place to sit back and enjoy a bevy with friends. Great view!

T. T.

The food are excellent. Good vibe.

J. E. C.

So my favorite pub has had a makeover. They have done a fantastic job taking it from the unloved sticky floor pub to a modern without being w@nky pub. Sad to see the front bar stage go but alas the venue has remained a music venue with the Gersh untouched and still being utilised. The food we had was great and definitely a step up from the old Espy kitchen. Would have given it 5 but the music they were playing was sh!te.

D. B.

One of the best pubs in Melbourne period. The guys from The Sandhill Road Group did a fantastic job and it really shows with The Espy being packed every weekend and filled with people during the weekday. The venue is divided into several different type of bars with its own unique characteristic and charm. I always find myself discovering a new part of the bar on every visit and highly recommend the Tours which gives you an insight into the rich history of the building, its past famous occupants and also a greater appreciation for the team behind revitalizing the Espy to its former glory. Food wise, from my experience here, I thought the food was really delicious and well executed by the team. Classics such as Chicken Parma, Burgers, Pizza and even Chips were full of flavor and I found myself finishing every dish. Beer selection here is spot on, good spread of local favorites and also including a healthy of selection of Crafts Beer which gets a tick from beer geeks like me. I can't comment on the wine and cocktail selections but from what I saw on the menu, they have a wide variety of selections available for patrons. Close to all the major attractions around St Kilda and super easy to get to by tram, taxi and Uber. Great place for a date if you're looking to be more creative and explore outside the CBD. Think St Kilda Beach foreshore, the Pier, tour of the Espy, finish with drinks and lunch/dinner. Don't take my word for it, go there yourself and see what the buzz has been about!

J. T.

Really good venue, music could be better, but mostly a really nice place to meet people and dance!

r. f.

A Melbourne tradition apparently. Huge space but attentive bar staff and rapid service. Good pizza and great evening. What more could I want from the evening?

N. S.

Really good food and had a great time with a decent atmosphere, only drawbacks was very limited choice of beers on tap which was disappointing and food a little expensive, would definitely return

M. C.

Warm AF! Busy and warm in winter... would be 5 stars if the staff paid attention to customers instead of friends.

Q. L.

Went to the Espy for the first time since it reopened. They have done a wonderful job of refurbishment. We went here for predinner drinks. No happy hours, prices a bit higher than usual, and service and staff so so. In a bar upstairs, the barman didn't realize his bar was open for business - kept trying to shoo us away

S. P. W. J.

Friendly bar staff and nice food but it's a little expensive. The old Espy relaxed vibe has gone and as much as it looks great, the downstairs has lost the open areas where we used to enjoy great music. It's been too "yuppie-fied".

J. A.

Great hang out! Ate in the Mya tiger restaurant upstairs at the bar with Jai the bartender. Great spot, friendly staff and chats. Enjoyed the food and of course, cocktails. Would recommend to anyone and great views over to St. Kilda beach.

M. E. M.

Now reopen. The Espy is an iconic venue for Melbourne particularly if you are keen on live music. One of those places you just have to check out if you are in Melbourne, especially if it is a sunny warm day.

C. H.

Amazing food, the staff are so authentic and helpful, the venue is amazing.

J. D. S.

The old girl has been reborn! What a wonderful venue with something for everyone. We had a quick casual lunch overlooking the water. Delicious lunch and friendly and efficient service. Perfect!👌🏼

T. H. B.

This place has CHANGED! Gershwin room still has soul, thank God, but the rest of the venue is now for judgemental yuppies. Front door security were snide, and far from welcoming.

M. F.

Fired up the old google account just to write this review. My partner and I came in for dinner on Sunday night. We’re not from around Melbourne so we really weren’t sure what to expect but booked into Mya Tiger and got the glad rags on. I was sold at lychee martini’s but the food was also amazing. Some of the portions were a little overpriced for the quality/size, but still tasty enough. The edamame and noodles were stand out, and the sago made me forget that my grandma butchered it my entire childhood. The real stand out though was Theo. He walked us through the menu, answered all our questions with ease, and brought the personality and banter we needed after a testing day. The extra star is for Theo, he made the experience 5 stars. $250 well spent

d. w.

They've done a great renovation, capturing the spirit of the old Espy but with lots of cool new alcoves and bars to relax in. Still a local legend

M. A.

Went to the espy kitchen. Food was good, service was good. Nothing spectacular but a solid experience in eating and drinking in a renowned Melbourne drinking, dancing, exploring watering hole.

t. p.

Love it! Open mic on Tuesday is the best...

A. B.

Nice venue and view but the the price to food ratio is crazy for the quality and portion size you get! I’ve had bigger portions at tapas bars. Don’t waste your money eating here.

T. D. S.

Opening night was one of the best nights I have had in a very long time. Great staff, great service, awesome music. Great to see the local st kilda people out back at The Espy.

M. H.

Lovely atmosphere for socialising and dancing

R. C.

Slightly gentrified after the reno but still a nice spot

S. D.

Great bar and atmosphere. Lovely place. Also ate in the Cantonese restaurant and am still thinking about the food, would highly recommend. Also recommend booking a table at weekend as gets super busy.

J. M.

Awesome venue with incredible views of the bay! Good pub-like food and a great time out!

I. C.

Absolutely fabulous atmosphere with renovations nearing completion. Sitting at a table, outside, overlooking the StKilda pier and Williamstown in the far distance. Perfect after exploring the 'Solar System' along the foreshore, the Community Garden and the cake shops.

C. M.

Restaurant - food was great, but service was very poor. Waiter was in a bad mood and also rushed us to order. There were empty tables around us and by the time we left, half of the tables were empty. When paying $200 for dinner and drinks for 2 people I expect to be treated much better.

K. G.

It can be super noisy so I suggest the Ghost Bar and early in the evening. I actually got to read an old favorite book by E. A. Poe

N. O.

Food was good and they gave us a free pizza But my steak didn't come with a salad which seemed a bit wrong considering it cost my 35 for a 250g

D. C.

Had the fish and chips with the more batter than fish. Wife had the chicken parmigiana which was only good. Over priced overrated food but beer was good.

S. S.

Awesome place for a drink, cocktails were delicious and the vibe was really good.

D. H.

Nutz busy. Enjoyed the different bars and sounds on offer. Will be back. Diner, drinks, live music and dance..all one place..pretry great.. Makes for a great evening. Be sure to explorer..huge venue.

k. j.

Great renovation, character with clever design

s. m.

I spent a large portion of my youth here playing pool and drinking beer, listening to bands, and more recently eating pub grub, it is a great place to watch the sunset and one of the few pubs in Melbourne situated to do so. Go on a weekday when it's quite and enjoy the views over the bay.

M. S.

The phoenix rises! Back better than ever. Restored lovingly to a modern version of what must have been its former glory, retaining many of its original features. 12 bars on 5 floors. Two eateries. Three performance spaces. Bring on the music! St Kilda lives!

B. H.

Food was good at reasonable prices. Bar staff excellent. Food service was quick. Didn't appreciate being repeatedly referred to as "mate" by one female staff, too ockerish.

M. B.

It’s back 👍👍, very mixed crowd from the old days. New Reno looks great .

D. K.

The renovation is great especially as the original paint work has been retained. The venue is quirky and mysterious with its stair cases and various rooms.

R. L.

Looks amazing after the renovations! Good job Espy! great place to hang out see gigs eat food and have a bevvy. A legendary St Kilda local

M. V.

Great vibes and music everywhere. Different atmosphere which makes it fun. The cocktail place upstairs is pretty cool.

D. G.

Atmosphere! Renovations are fantastic. Great vibe in the place. Many options for eating and drinking. Grab a seat an enjoy the view and people watching.

R. S.

Meals were excellent, steak cooked to the letter, chicken Palmer brilliant, switched on staff brought out the child's meal earlier than the others. Fast friendly service , clean amenities

R. E.

It's all going on here since they re opened. Helpful and friendly staff. Good range of alcohol and food and as always great live music

G. K.

Fun. Packed. Exciting. Busy. Love the Ghost room. Quieter than downstairs, great atmosphere for a few drinks and a laugh with friends. Downstairs for the action.

L. H.

Nice vibes. Sometimes it feels so busy and crazy and loud which isn't always what I'm after but great cocktails!

H. R.

Thank you so much for restoring this place in such a tasteful way, it is a fantastic place to come to and to have a great time! It means a lot when business owners actually care more than just a profit margin.

G.

Great renovation, great place for dinner or drinks but XPA Balter's are watered down . Yuck

S. S.

I used to go to the Espy in the 1980s. Went on Saturday night and they were still playing the same music 😄

J. B.

Really different and awesome place, fantastic theme, great idea with the recording booth and a good love for music and how the band's perform in their venue. Definitely worth a try

M. D. (. D.

A great place to meet new friends and enjoy some old school tunes.

E. T.

Had a really nice meal in Espy kitchen. Great service from Grace, who greeted us with a smile and was lovely, Leonia, our waiter who was very friendly and efficient and Ray, who is a legend.

J. M.

Thanks to Julie great service 🤗

A. B.

First time here in about 15 years and was very impressed with the refresh. Is a great place to sit on a weekend during the day, have drink, a bite to eat and watch the world go by.

h. q.

Great spot for a Sunday beer or any other day of the week for that matter. Bunch of different levels/rooms, didn't have anything to eat but the food options looked amazing.

L. P.

The food here is excellent! I am a regular here and I still enjoy myself every time, whenever my friends come visit and I take them here we have a ball together. To the vegetarian complaining, no one likes Rabbit food, which is why they don't cook it. Perhaps you should try the zoo?

G. A.

Great location good range of food and drinks excellent music but can be excessive queues to enter but usually a sign of good times to be had inside.

J. M.

Quite loud place, but other than that great place for a couple of drinks :) great decor

M. K.

Great to see this grand building restored to its former glory if not improved had a quick look around when in Melbourne for the cup last time here it was boarded up this time outstanding congrats to all involved what a great refurb

J. P.

Food was good. Just wish there was another way to access the restaurant than having to squeeze your way through all the drunk people on the dancefloor - especially on a Saturday night

F.

Great venue with a absolutely solid cheeseburger to boot.

S. D. C.

Bolognese Aracini Balls

D. M.

Food was terrible at Espy Kitchen whereas May Tiger was superb. Shame that one can let down the other all under the same roof. Won't deter me from coming back again and again but stick to Mya Tiger

B. O.

Renovations are great. Meal and service was great. Good spot.

M. M.

Love this place. Cocktails are hit and kids but the venue is lovely. Music is also hit and miss. Need more current dj's

C. D.

Food quality in the bar areas was pretty poor and expensive. Also very annoying that you have to go to specific bars to get different beers. Nice location though and good atmosphere

G. S.

Very exciting venue with multiple bars and dining areas. Good food at reasonable prices. Will definitely go back

P. N.

Beautiful atmosphere, friendly staff, great views & entertainment, as well as an interesting backstory to the restaurant/bar. 5/5 without a doubt!

V. B.

The after 2 years of secret renos the old espy is still there very busy on Sunday arvo bar menu ok but pricey service staff need to be a bit more friendly Sunset view bar deck is there but crowd are mainly young smoking allowed on the deck not sure if that's legal Most stay look at the view have a drink and leave DJ downstairs entrance foyer good music variety very crowded Miss the old grungy pub atmosphere patrons are young and very well dressed good place to catch up with friends

A. B.

Espy has got the Wow factor going on. The money spent to bring it to current state must be huge and I hope locals and visitors keep flocking to make the Espy a must visit when in Melbourne . A true jewel of the City. Bravo!!

D. M.

Good food and nice place to eat something!

C. M.

Food is expensive and so are the drinks but decor is amazing. A very unique mix of old world and new they have done a fantastic job of bringing the old building into the new world.

J. M.

Great atmosphere since the recent renovation. I would give it 5/5 except the food is almost prohibitively expensive and very small serves. One dish was inedible and replaced with another disappointing dish

E. B.

Love the old original features amongst the new re-development. Interestingly it''s multigenerational, with a mix of old characters and spunky young ones sharing the venue.

J. S.

Amazing place for lunch and drink

C. W.

great old pub. lots of history here. even though its undergone renovations alot of the original fixtures and fittings remain. still holds alot of events for bands.

J. R.

Awesome expierence and really friendly staff

J. S.

Amazing venue but don't enjoy the crowd.

a. m.

Great music, good vibes and amazing place to have a boogie

M. D.

Seriously amazing gig in the Gershwin room. Saw Mansionair and the sound was great, as was access to the bar and amenities. What more could you want?

P. H.

Great venue with loads of cool spaces. Stools in the back area are a bit uncomfortable for sitting long periods and the air con was not so great but the food we delicious and the staff were fantastic

K. F.

Absolutely brilliant! Decor, ambience, very friendly staff and last but not least delicious food! Will go back any time. 👍👏😊

E. K.

Long and narrow space for concerts- it was very packed and there was little room to move. Staff were friendly and drinks were delicious

L. O.

The best pub in Melbourne

S. K.

Great decor. Lovely venue for a drink. Food is okay. It can be very busy so be prepared to wait for the food.

G. P.

The classic Espy I remember from years ago brought to life with renovations that look great.

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