Hotel Esplanade

Lovingly known as “The Espy”, this Melbourne institution is a stone’s throw away from St Kilda beach. Once home to a grungier crowd, the recent revamp has made it a place for all – offering six spaces to drink, dance and dine. During summer, the main bar and outdoor Espy Sunroom draw locals with pub fare, cocktails, tap beers and live music. The Gershwin Room, a longstanding fixture in Melbourne’s music scene, hosts local and international acts. At Louey’s, sip Italian-American-inspired cocktails like the Spicy Louey or New York Sour to the sounds of Italo disco. For a taste of history, visit the Ghost of Alfred Felton bar, named after the entrepreneur and art collector who once lived at The Espy. Walls lined with antiques, it’s the perfect haunt to taste a Havana Nights cocktail. Hungry? Head upstairs to Mya Tiger for Cantonese-inspired dishes like pan-fried chicken and ginger potstickers and their signature caramel eggplant.