itzroy resident Chris Crouch was ecstatic to discover his local watering hole The Tramway Hotel was up for sale. The ex-Polyester Records proprietor made the call to Warwick Lobb (also of Polyester fame) and Warwick’s sister-in-law, Jess Tregonning, and so the neighbourhood favourite was born, complete with a modern upgrade that still retains the history of the space.

Offering cuisine that’s sure to please any pub aficionado, The Tramway Hotel menu – crafted by chef Nick Coates, formerly of the The Napier Hotel – boasts a burger bar including quinoa and hummus or lamb and haloumi to name but two; share plates of chicken skewers or slow-cooked octopus; and more traditional cooked meals such as delicious minestrone or grain-fed Scotch fillet cooked to your liking. There are also a sizeable number of vegan and vegetarian options.

Match your meal with a wine or beer from the impressive wine list. Jess, an accomplished sommelier, has sourced some of Australia’s finest wines from all corners of the country. The beer philosophy, meanwhile, is simple: to embrace quality Australian ales. Unlike many new hotels whose beer selections are hard to pronounce and even harder to afford, Tramway offers nearby brews by Boatrocker and White Rabbit, while still retaining stubbies from Carlton Draught et al.

The Tramway Hotel
165 Rae Street, North Fitzroy
(03) 9489 6100

Hours
Mon closed
Tue-Wed 4pm-11pm
Thu 4pm-11.30pm
Fri 3pm-12.30am
Sat midday-12.30am
Sun midday-10.30pm

tramwayhotel.com