After quietly closing at the end of 2024, the Yackandandah Hotel—affectionately known as ‘The Bottom Pub’—has reopened, helmed by a top-tier Melbourne chef.
The century-old pub has been revived by former executive chef of Yolk Group (the folks responsible for Terror Twilight, Ophelia and Convoy), Dale Kemp and his partner Brittany Hart.
The legendary local was originally built in 1868 to serve the town’s bustling gold-mining community, and has been a social hub for the region ever since. Now, with new publicans at the helm and a considered refresh to match, Yack Hotel is ready to bring that same spirit into a new chapter.
“We’ve been visiting Yack for years and always had our hearts set on living here. Since wearrived, we’ve fallen in love with the town even more—the pace, the people and its strong sense of community,” Kemp says.
The original pub has been kept largely in-tact, with the couple championing restoration over renovation. Little touches like artwork by tattooer Benny McDowall and tartan carpet keep the pub firmly rooted in both the new and old world.
Kemp’s ethos when opening was to keep the pub accessible, and to celebrate the High Country's terroir, with classic pub fare and a hefty local wine list thanks to Beechworth, Rutherglen and King Valley right on the pub’s doorstep.
“We’re keeping it honest,” Dale says. “Expect local ingredients and classic pub fare, alongside ever-changing specials we can have fun with. There’s a bit of inspiration from the Melbourne venues we’ve worked in, but this is a country pub at heart. It’s about quality and comfort, not pretense, and is the kind of food we’d want to tuck into.”
You can expect the usual suspects, but with a bit of finesse: the chicken parmi has had a glow up with smoked ham, vodka sauce and mozzarella, then there’s the slow-cooked beef brisket and cheddar ale pot-pie and venison and speck ragu. The menu also has a dedicated steak section and desserts have that warming country touch like a comforting cast iron cookie, served alongside vanilla-bean ice-cream.
In the future expect live music and accommodation, while in the interim the beer garden is perfect in summer or winter with a cast iron chiminea, and a big screen for all the sports inside.
For more things to do in the High Country, check out our travel guide and for more on Victoria’s best country pubs, head this way. The Yackandandah Hotel is open seven days a week, for more head over to their website.
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