The Espy St Kilda 2026: A Complete Guide to Melbourne's Most Iconic Live Music Pub
Since 1878, The Esplanade Hotel - universally known as "The Espy" - has towered over St Kilda's foreshore. This guide covers every level of its post-renovation revival: live music, food, bars, and the legacy of Alfred Felton.
Whether you're chasing sunset cocktails, hunting for ghosts, or discovering why Paul Kelly and Jet launched careers in the Gershwin Room, this guide navigates every level of The Espy's labyrinthine revival - from the Basement's emerging artists to the Ghost of Alfred Felton cocktail bar.
The Espy Then vs. Now: Addressing the Renovation Controversy
When Sand Hill Road (the group behind Garden State and Prahran Hotel) purchased The Espy in 2017 and closed it for 18 months, Melbourne held its breath. The reality is more nuanced: the 2018 renovation eliminated the infamous "sticky carpet" and installed retractable glass ceilings, but the venue retained its National Trust–classified Victorian façade and its commitment to live music seven nights a week.
What Changed
- Capacity expanded: From a cramped three-level pub to 12 bars across five levels (six including the rooftop terrace).
- Food elevated: The old Bain Marie hot dogs replaced by two restaurants - Espy Kitchen (rotisserie-focused) and Mya Tiger (Cantonese).
- Accessibility improved: Previously closed upper floors, including the fifth level, opened for the first time in 60 years.
What Remained
- The Gershwin Room's sprung dance floor and Art Nouveau proscenium arch.
- Free live music in the Basement (supporting emerging artists).
- The bay-view windows that have framed Port Phillip sunsets since 1878.
Insider tip: Visit on Tuesday nights for the $26 steak special - one of the best value meals in St Kilda with beachfront views.
Navigating the 5 Levels: A Floor-by-Floor Breakdown
First-time visitors often describe The Espy as "overwhelming." With 12 distinct bars spread across six levels, navigation requires strategy. Use the table below as a blueprint.
| Level | Venue | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Public Bar & Espy Kitchen | Ground-floor heart; $10 wine, $26 Tuesday steak; rotisserie chicken, Moreton Bay bug rolls. |
| 2 | Mya Tiger & The Sunroom | Cantonese (Peking duck, small plates); Sunroom: panoramic Port Phillip Bay views at golden hour. |
| 3 | The Gershwin Room | 100-year-old music room (1924); Paul Kelly, Jet, RocKwiz, G-Flip history; ticketed acts, 500 capacity. |
| 4 | Louey's Bar & Kitchen | Italian-American disco vibes; neon, red-leather booths, DJs until late. |
| 5 | The Ghost of Alfred Felton | Top-floor speakeasy; cocktails inspired by NGV artworks; Library Room for private functions (20–30 guests). |
| - | The Basement | Free live music nightly; emerging local acts; staircase lined with vintage gig posters. |
Level 1: The Public Bar & Espy Kitchen
The ground-floor Public Bar preserves the venue's working-class DNA. Original gig posters discovered during renovations line the walls. Espy Kitchen, in the former loading bay, offers rotisserie chicken with fries and gravy, and Moreton Bay bug rolls. The glass-walled corridor lets diners watch bands move from green room to stage.
Level 2: Mya Tiger & The Sunroom
Mya Tiger (opened December 2018) serves Peking duck and Cantonese-inspired small plates. The adjacent Sunroom is Instagram-famous for panoramic Port Phillip Bay views during golden hour. Arrive by 6:00 PM to secure window seats; the space is first-come and fills quickly.
Level 3: The Gershwin Room
Added in 1924 as a jazz and dance venue, the Gershwin Room turned 100 in December 2024. Paul Kelly recorded his 1996 live album here; Jet performed their legendary NYE gig; SBS's RocKwiz filmed 180+ episodes (2005–2016); G-Flip played their first-ever live performance here. It now has updated acoustics and air conditioning. Check the venue website for "Gershwin Room Sessions" (indie, rock, alternative) and ticketed international acts.
Level 4: Louey's Bar & Kitchen
Louey's brings neon-lit, red-leather-booth energy with an Italian-American menu - disco balls and DJs until late, a deliberate contrast to the live-music focus below.
Level 5: The Ghost of Alfred Felton
Named after the hotel's most famous resident, this top-floor speakeasy requires elevator or grand staircase. The cocktail menu features drinks inspired by artworks from the National Gallery of Victoria (Felton bequeathed his fortune to the gallery). The "Tierra Del Fuego" - ginger, pear, and cardamom with a salted rim - showcases the bar's pharmaceutical-catalogue aesthetic. The Library Room can be reserved for private functions and offers the venue's best sunset views.
The Basement: Emerging Artists
Accessible via a staircase lined with vintage gig posters, the Basement hosts free live music nightly - typically up-and-coming local acts and experimental genres. This is the old Espy's "paying your dues" culture preserved.
The Ghost of Alfred Felton: St Kilda's Most Famous Resident
Alfred Felton, a chemist turned wealthy industrialist, lived in room 34 from 1892–1904. He amassed one of Australia's greatest art collections and, upon his death in his hotel room, bequeathed his fortune to establish the Felton Bequest, which has funded the National Gallery of Victoria's most significant acquisitions - including works by Picasso, Rembrandt, and Turner. Staff and guests have reported unusual occurrences in the original hotel rooms; the top-floor bar's name playfully acknowledges this legacy. Mark Twain stayed at The Espy in the 1880s and Sarah Bernhardt in 1920, but Felton remains the property's most enduring spectral presence.
Live Music at The Espy: What to Expect in 2026
The Espy maintains its claim as Australia's longest continuously running live music venue, programming across three stages seven nights weekly.
- Gershwin Room: Ticketed shows ($30–80), typically 8:00 PM doors. Indie rock, alternative, established local acts. Capacity: 500.
- Basement: Free entry, 9:00 PM start. Experimental, punk, folk, emerging artists.
- Main Bar: Acoustic sets and DJs, 4:00 PM–late. No cover charge.
RocKwiz no longer films here, but the venue runs regular trivia nights in the Public Bar. Download The Espy's app or check the website on Thursdays for the weekend lineup; popular Gershwin shows often sell out 48 hours in advance.
Food & Drink: Beyond the Hype
Value
- Tuesday: $26 steak night (Public Bar).
- Daily: $10 wine glasses (no bottles over $100 across any bar).
- Weekend: $10 Espy Special breakfast (Saturdays and Sundays, Public Bar).
Dietary
Mya Tiger accommodates vegetarian and gluten-free with advance notice. Espy Kitchen offers vegan pizza options. Severe allergy sufferers should note high-volume kitchens at peak times.
Drink pricing
Post-renovation prices exceed 2015 levels but remain competitive for beachfront Melbourne: $12–15 pints of craft beer, $18–24 signature cocktails, $10–14 wine by the glass.
When to Visit: Timing Your Espy Experience
- Sunset views: Arrive 5:30–6:00 PM Thu–Sun. Target the Sunroom (Level 2) or Ghost of Alfred Felton (Level 5). Winter sunsets earlier (~5:00 PM).
- Live music: Friday and Saturday evenings buzz; Sunday afternoons (4:00–8:00 PM) in the Public Bar offer a relaxed session with acoustic acts.
- Quiet conversation: Avoid Fri/Sat 8:00 PM–midnight when all three stages run. Try Wednesday evenings or Sunday afternoons.
- Budget: Tuesday steak nights and weekday lunch specials (12:00–3:00 PM). Basement free music from ~9:00 PM.
Essential Visitor Information
- Location: 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda VIC 3182 (opposite St Kilda Beach and Luna Park).
- Transport: Tram 16 (Kew–St Kilda) stops outside. Free tram Zone 1 ends one stop before St Kilda; use Myki for the final zone.
- Accessibility: Public Bar and Espy Kitchen are wheelchair accessible; Gershwin Room and Basement require stairs. Elevator to Level 5 (Ghost of Alfred Felton) via staff assistance.
- Dress code: No official code; casual in Public Bar, smart-casual in Mya Tiger and The Ghost. "St Kilda eclectic" rather than corporate.
- Accommodation: The Espy no longer operates as a hotel (guest rooms closed in the 1990s). Cosmo Hotel and Acland Street hostels cater to visitors attending Espy gigs.
The Verdict: Is The Espy Still Worth Visiting?
For music enthusiasts: Absolutely. The Gershwin Room's 100-year legacy and the Basement's commitment to emerging artists preserve Melbourne's musical DNA.
For foodies: Mya Tiger offers superior Cantonese to standard pub fare; purists may prefer the simpler Espy Kitchen.
For history buffs: The Alfred Felton connection and preserved Victorian architecture provide cultural depth rare in Australian pubs.
The renovated Espy isn't the grimy, sticky-carpeted dive of the 1990s - and that's okay. Sand Hill Road achieved a rare equilibrium: a venue that respects National Trust heritage while ensuring sustainability through diversified revenue. The music still plays seven nights weekly, the beer still flows, and St Kilda's sunset still paints the bay-view windows gold. Don't miss the transition between levels at dusk, when the Public Bar's rock 'n' roll energy gives way to the Ghost of Alfred Felton's cocktail artistry - encapsulating The Espy's ability to be simultaneously dive bar, fine-dining destination, and music cathedral.