Former Melbourne live music icon The Espy hotel is scheduled to reopen in October 2018, with its new owners confirming that they’re keen to make it a hotspot for music once again.
Last month The Esplanade Hotel was purchased by Sand Hill Road, the pub group that also owns the Garden State Hotel and the Terminus Hotel, among other Melbourne venues.
Sandy Hill Road co-founder Andy Mullins has now confirmed in an interview with Real Estate that he and his partners have been in consulting with “old band bookers, musicians, local residents, the RocKwiz team” with regards to bringing live music back to the venue once it reopens.
The Espy has been out of action since it closed its doors indefinitely in November, 2015. At the time a significant number of residents had complained to Port Phillip Council over proposed renovations to the venue.
Mullins also spoke of some of the finer details of the renovation, revealing that the revamped Espy is set to feature three live music stages, including one in the Gershwin Room, where RocKwiz was formerly filmed.
He also revealed plans for a “whisky lab” as well as a beer garden, and a “cool, stripped back” dining room on the first floor. There will also be “The Ghost Of Alfred Felton” cocktail bar.
“St Kilda and Melbourne have really missed The Espy,” Mullins said. “We’re excited to bring it back. It’s a massive responsibility.”
