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Copyright Melway Publishing 2000. Reproduced from Melway Edition 27 with permission.
Venue type: Pub
Review: Lush Green
The Esplanade Hotel (The Espy) as the locals call it is synonymous with St Kilda. Situated on the picturesque Upper Esplanade this pub has one of the best views in Melbourne. Go up the stairs, say G'day to the consistently friendly bouncers, grab a table in the front room or a booth in the adjoining area and watch the sun go down over the bay. It's the kind of place that has everything you need under the one roof. There are pool tables, a restaurant, two band rooms and loads of booths. The Espy was saved from the clutches of developers at one stage and it is thankfully here to stay which is a token of local support, love and patronage of this fine venue.
Always Busy
The Espy is always busy and full of atmosphere. Saturday and Sunday nights are usually packed out depending on what bands are playing.
Music Most Nights
Bands play on every night of the week at the Espy in the front bar and in the historical Gershwin Room, where a huge amount of Australian musical talent has originated from. If you don't like the band in the front room, pop into the Gershwin Room to see what's going on in there or vice versa.
Popular With Travellers
Backpackers are crawling all over the Espy on any day of the week. In fact, the crowd is so varied at times that you can almost forget which city you're in. There is no dress code at the Espy, anything goes, which of course adds to its backpacker appeal.
Readers' Reviews
The Espy as its known, is possibly THE BEST bar in Melbourne. Situated in the heart of St. Kilda, overlooking the bay, you can't find a better place to spend the night and the wee hours of the morning with friends. Great live music is one of the best features of the Espy, as well as a laid-back atmosphere. Many bars and pubs are worried about what you wear - no fear, the Espy embraces the individual!
Always packed, the Espy has a wonderful atmosphere that I highly recommend! The Espy provided me with a memorable 18th birthday, and I've been hooked since then!
Jessie, Noble Park, 06/03