Whether you’ve seen some of your favourite gigs inside or just strolled past on your way to the beach, it feels like the Espy has always been there. The storied St Kilda landmark has been around for 144 years, spanning multiple transformative eras for both the venue and the seaside suburb – and it’s still growing. The Espy Sunroom is a brand-new 252-person bar in the former Ichi Ni Izakaya space, doing food, cocktails and live music across a bright indoor area and generous open deck.

With a focus on roving instrumentals, soul DJs and comedy, the Sunroom is an intimate complement to the hotel’s existing performance spaces: the Basement, dedicated to local up-and-comers, and the Gershwin, whose long history traces the development of Melbourne’s cultural scene.

Formally known as the Hotel Esplanade, the Espy was built in 1878, opening as a resort hotel with views of Port Phillip Bay – notable guests included everyone from American man of letters Mark Twain to French actor Sarah Bernhardt. A renovation in the early 1920s saw it shift from a posh residential building to an entertainment venue that catered to the sudden boom in live jazz bands and dancing, thanks to the addition of a rear ballroom that’s still going strong today.

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Now called The Gershwin Bandroom (or the Gersh), that back room was a thriving disco in the ’70s and has continued to present music of all genres in the decades since. The roll call of bands who’ve played there over the years is dizzying, from AC/DC back in 1974 – just a year after they formed – to icons of the ’90s like Powderfinger and Silverchair. The Espy was also a key spot when a much scrappier St Kilda was booming with underground music in the ’80s. The venue snagged international acts like Cat Power, the White Stripes and Dashboard Confessional around the turn of the millennium. And in December 2024, the Gersh celebrated its first full century with special gigs from Australian champions like Cosmic Psychos, Eskimo Joe and Augie March.

Part of the Espy’s appeal is its diversity of spaces: bands have also played in the front bar – with views of the ocean – and in the basement, which still has the gig posters to prove it. The multi-level venue also includes Cantonese eatery Mya Tiger, the Italian American-inspired Louey’s Bar & Kitchen and the main bar, with a retractable roof that’s ideal for embracing the summer sun.

As for the newest player, The Espy Sunroom has already kicked into gear, hosting trivia on Wednesdays and live music on Fridays, followed by house DJs until the wee hours. DJs also take over every Saturday night, while the Sunday sessions are all about the comedown, featuring chill house, funk and soul throughout the day (and right through sunset).

From spontaneous dance parties to open-air meals from the Espy dining menu, the Sunroom is an intimate new addition to these hallowed halls. Think craft beer, local wine, signature cocktails, stone-baked pizzas, rotating tunes and pop-up events, both day and night. For a venue with this much history, it’s amazing to see new chapters like this one still being written.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Hotel Esplanade.