Red Lion Hotel Kilmore to re-open after five year hiatus
A 169-year-old country pub — once linked to drug kingpin Tony Mokel — will re-open its doors at the heart of Victoria’s oldest inland town.
North
Don't miss out on the headlines from North. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It’s the pub that predates Victoria’s oldest football clubs, Australia’s Constitution — and once part of drug kingpin Tony Mokbel’s property empire.
And, as of early next week, it will be back open serving beers.
Five years after it closed its doors due to the pandemic, the Red Lion Hotel in Kilmore will re-open early next week; entering a new chapter for the 169-year-old country Victorian watering hole about 75km north of Melbourne.
Built in 1856 by Irishman John Butler — an inaugural Kilmore councillor whose family still lives in the town — the pub is set to reclaim its place as the beating heart of Victoria’s oldest inland town when it reopens on Monday July 21.
Its new venue manager Kim Short — who has run several businesses in Kilmore — said there was “so much excitement” in the town.
“Everyone in Kilmore has a story about the place,” she said.
“We just really want to have the feel that we’re welcoming people home.
“There’s a real sense of community ownership about the place. There were times where you couldn’t move in here it was that busy. I just know the town will really support us.”
The pub’s rich history also includes cameos from underworld figures, including Mokbel who bought the Red Lion for about $465,000 in 1996 and was run by companies linked to the drug lord for several years.
In 2023 a decaying red lion that had been perched on the roof of the venue for more than a century was taken down due to safety concerns.
Among the promotions from yesteryear set to return at the Red Lion is “parma o’clock” where — on a dedicated night — the cost of a chicken parma would depend on what time you arrived (using 24hr time).
“So if you get here at 6pm you’ll pay $18 for a parma and if you get here at 7.50pm you’ll pay $19.50,” Ms Short said.
“Back in the day when they did that they would do 250 parmas a night, so we’re looking to bring things like that back that the locals loved.”
The new team behind the famous Kilmore pub have put “blood, sweat and tears” into reopening the famous country pub which has undergone significant renovations in the lead up to next week’s opening.
Ms Short said she was driven by the community’s passion for the pub to get it going.
“So many people love it here and want this place up and running again,” she said.
Police told to consider rego scheme for e-bikes
A Victorian coroner has told authorities to crack down on illegal e-bikes, and consider a “radical” new registration scheme.
‘Heartbreak’: Seizure causes pregnant mum, toddler to crash into tree
A pregnant mum suffered a seizure behind the wheel and slammed into a tree with her toddler in the back — the latest nightmare to hit the young Melbourne family already reeling from heartbreak.