Kenny Corner Fave The Doot Reopens After Massive Glow-Up

Kensington’s beloved local, the Doutta Galla Hotel has officially reopened its iconic red doors after a year-long renovation that has completely transformed the 1889 landmark.

The refreshed venue blends classic Melbourne pub character (yes, we know, we’re in a pub reno era, but what’s not to love?!) across three levels and shedding a bit of light into the formerly moody venue.  

Downstairs, the public bar and dining room have been jazzed up with long timber bars, arched windows, fresh flooring and new private rooms. Upstairs, the former hotel rooms have been reworked into sprawling function spaces (don’t forget that Christmas party) and flexible dining zones, with exposed brick, heritage fireplaces, stained glass and skylights giving the building a new openness. 

With four bars across the venue and a 3am licence, The Doot might even be a contender afters, pouring 16 brews on tap including a custom Doutta Lager by Hop Nation, plus cocktails, tins and tap wines.

In the kitchen, Chef Jake Furst—2023 AHA VIC Chef of the Year—has put similar thought and effort into the menu refurb and we might be looking to The Doot for our next steak night. Expect more than a dozen cuts of premium steak grilled over the Josper (including dry-aged picks), alongside classics like a big-crumb chicken parma, a lamb ragu orecchiette and a red curry duck leg—’cos what good pub doesn’t have a curry on.

The pub’s new custodians, the Kickon Group will seem familiar, they’ve got quite the resume with The Continental, Terminus Hotel and Latin-American fave Pincho Disco on it, as well as a host of Aussie big names and faces linked up. Live music, trivia, sports screenings and local collaborations round out the offering.

Find the Doutta Galla Hotel at 339 Racecourse Road, Kensington, open daily. For more of Melbourne’s best pubs, head this way.