The Bleakhouse Hotel

The Verdict

Albert Park’s, The Beach Hotel has reopened, following the first stage of its renovations and it’s everything you could ever want in a Melbourne pub.

The ground floor, which includes the public bar, dining room, courtyard bar and outside courtyard have been transformed to reveal a warm and inviting space. Wood panelling covers the bar and walls, with deep green booths giving privacy to those wanting to watch sport on their own TV fitted out at the head of each table.

The revamp is courtesy of new owner and former Director of the Melbourne Pub Group, Tom Walker, who has previously re-done favourites like Middle Park Hotel, Newmarket Hotel and Albert Park Hotel—the guy clearly knows Aussie pubs.

Walker has also brought in a new chef in David Marshall to create a menu full of British and Aussie pub classics—think of your favourite pub meal, then make it posh and you get the idea behind the new offerings.

There are tried and tested favourites like beer battered fish and chips with posh peas and tartare sauce, and some more modern additions like chicken liver parfait served with quince jelly and brioche, and a charcuterie board featuring smoked ox tongue. If this is the future of pub food, then sign us up for a weekly pint and feed.

Not to forget the beverage selections; there’s an impressive offering of over 100 wines, some classic cocktails and a good range of tap beers like Mornington Hop Culture, Carlton Draught and Furphy.

Keep an eye open for the beachside venue’s second round of renovations later in 2018—this time to the façade. The pub is also set to return to its former name, The Bleakhouse Hotel, from when it first opened in 1883.

If you’re there for the sports viewing, an after-work beverage or a good pub feed with the family, just pull up into one of the plush green booths and make yourself at home (and eat a minute steak for us too).

Image credit: Brook James