Melbourne’s pub scene is about to get a shake-up. This November, Sand Hill Road will unveil The Waterside Hotel – an eight years in the making, seven-storey venue set to redefine what a modern pub can be.
Located on the corner of Flinders and King Street, the 1925 heritage-listed building has been completely reimagined, with its facade preserved and its interior rebuilt into a multi-level playground of bars, dining rooms and terraces overlooking the city.
Best known for drawing new life into Melbourne venues like The Espy, Garden State, and the Richmond Club Hotel, The Waterside Hotel is their biggest project yet – and their sole focus.
Across seven levels, guests can expect a mix of old-school charm blended with modern cocktail energy. The ground floor Public Bar and Beer Garden will bring modern Australian pub fare and cold beers, while PAST / PORT – a South-East Asian-inspired restaurant spanning three floors – will offer a sharper dining and drinking experience.
At the top, a rooftop cocktail bar and outdoor terrace will look out across Melbourne’s skyline, with an elevated drinks program. The entire food direction is led by Executive Chef Sarah Chan (ex-Mya Tiger, The Espy), hinting at a balance between approachability and innovation across the menus.
Designed in collaboration with Techne? Architecture, Kapitol, and interior designer Eleisha Gray, The Waterside Hotel stays true to Melbourne’s pub soul while pushing into a new look – a mix of texture, history, and high-end hospitality.
“We’ve strived to create something that carries the soul of a Melbourne pub, but on a scale and ambition that feels truly world-class,” said Sand Hill Road co-owner Matt Mullins.
The Waterside Hotel opens this November at 508 Flinders Street, Melbourne.