St Kilda’s Hotel Esplanade will reopen on Friday 23 November after an extensive renovation.
The Melbourne icon has undergone an extensive renovation over the past year and a half thanks to Sand Hill Road, who bought the hotel in May last year.
“The Espy has always been our ultimate pub dream,” says Sand Hill Road co-founder Doug Maskiell. “But it’s also an awesome responsibility.”
The revamped property now features 12 bars and two restaurants across six levels, including a Cantonese eatery and cocktail bar slated to open in early December.
The main bar is located on the ground floor along with Espy Kitchen, which is headed up by executive chef Ash Hicks. The kitchen will dish up breakfast, lunch and dinner and features charcoal grills, twin wood-fired pizza ovens and a French rotisserie.
Menu items include a crispy bug roll, spiced lamb with flatbread and yoghurt dressing and fresh salad options. Slow-roasted wagyu, whole chicken and snapper will be cooked over charcoal and there will be a range of pizzas made with 72-hour fermented pizza dough.
Sand Hill Road group bars manager Kevin Peters and group sommelier Matt Skinner have designed a drinks menu that covers cocktails, local craft beers and an approachable wine list. The venue will also be making spirits and cocktails in-house, including the Espy negroni.