Hotel Esplanade

"As much as you’ve bought The Espy, you'll never really own it."—a message passed on from the previous owners of Hotel Esplanade and a statement that rings true today.

Your favourite band in The Gershwin Room, pre-gig beers in the Star Wars bar, stumbling in from the seaside…everyone has a story to tell about The Espy. 140 years of stories and secrets are hidden in its walls, from budding romances, to celebrations, break ups and make ups. If the walls could talk, they’d tell some unbelievable tales.

A home for many years to Melbourne’s colourful characters, from members of the arts community, to musicians looking for their first big break and the philanthropist, Alfred Felton, who lived and died in The Espy.

Since reopening its doors in 2018, every square centimetre of The Espy is now open for your enjoyment, including the fifth level which has never before been open to the public. The reimagined Hotel Esplanade is full of music, arts, cocktails, fun and laughter.

To put it simply, there is no pub like it.