Hotel Animal Dive Bar and Grill is the new dive bar in Melbourne’s CBD serving up killer burgers and the newly released Doss Blockos D Draft on tap. The bar is a new collaboration between hospo veteran Damian Little (Bar Humbug) and East 9th Brewing’s Doss Blockos beer brand.
The bar is in the former Great Western Hotel on King Street, but it’s been reimagined with a far grittier fit out thanks to designer Josh Lefers—the designer behind Storyville and the new mega-venue Ballers Clubhouse. The team has a short-term lease before the site gets redeveloped in 2022, so they’re repping a pseudo pop-up, ‘anything goes’ vibe. The venue salutes the late greats of rock’n’roll, from Kurt Cobain to Amy Winehouse and Janice Joplin, with literal shrines dotted around the space to each artist.
On the menu, you’ll find classic American-style bar food, with burgers and fried chicken topping the bill. They’ve also got a quinoa veg burger with lentils, peas and black beans for the vegans and vegetarians among us. Naturally, chips can be added to any meal for just $3. You’ll find the range of Doss Blockos beers behind the bar, including the newly released D Draft brew. They’ve got a specialty cocktail menu in the works too so keep an eye out for that.
Hotel Animal is open Monday to Saturday from 3pm to late. Head down and grab a pint before the site is demoed.
For more food and booze news, head over to The Feed for the latest updates on Melbourne’s hospo scene.