St Kilda’s beloved Esplanade Hotel reopens this Friday after a massive renovation, courtesy of new owners the Sand Hill Road crew (Waterside Hotel, Garden State, Prahan Hotel).

When it’s complete, there’ll be 12 bars, three band stages and two restaurants, and punters will have access to areas that have been closed to the public for 60 years. It’s a big moment for St Kilda, with the Prince Hotel due to burst back onto the scene in coming months too.

Technē Architecture is looking after the overhaul of the grand, 140-year-old seaside building. Eighteen months in the making, the all-new Espy will open in two stages. The first – opening this Friday – includes the beer garden, public bar, a more expansive main bar, a light-filled garden terrace that overlooks St Kilda pier, and a basement band room.

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The Espy Kitchen will be open too, manned by a team of 60 chefs. It's in the old loading bay and will serve pizzas, and charcoal-grilled and rotisserie meats. A Cantonese restaurant and cocktail bar, Mya Tiger, will open in early December. Executive chef Ash Hicks (ex-Circa, Garden State) will oversee both kitchens.

The Gershwin Room remains relatively unchanged, but it’s been cleaned out and given a new sound system, in keeping with the Sandhill Road team’s plans to bring live music back to the strip (artists Dan Sultan and Tex Perkins are booked to play upcoming gigs).

Hotel Esplanade
11 The Esplanade, St Kilda

Hours:
Wed to Fri 11am–late
Sat & Sun 9am–late