Last drinks: The popular Melbourne pubs we lost

There’s nothing Aussies love more than a pint at the pub, so it’s no surprise some of our oldest buildings are pubs. But there’s many classic Melbourne watering holes we’ve loved and lost, and more under threat.

Bride O'Reillys has fallen into disrepair since calling last drinks.

We love our beer, we love our lager, but most of all we love our pubs. They are places for communities to gather, celebrate and enjoy a pint.

Some of Melbourne’s most loved pubs have closed in the last few years. High operation costs, council disagreements, and in one case, a fire hydrant, are just a few of the reasons that some of our beloved pubs have met their end, and potentially why a few more are under threat.

PUBS WE HAVE LOST

BRUNSWICK HOTEL, BRUNSWICK 1852-2018

The Brunswick Hotel “Brunny” was one of Melbourne’s favourite live music venues.

The Brunswick Hotel would buzz on a Wednesday night with local music talent, and a packed beer garden of university students.

The 166-year-old pub closed in 2018 after a driver collided with a fire hydrant and caused significant water damage to the building.

The management held fundraising efforts, known as “flood aid” for their staff members who were out of work.

In July 2019, the Brunswick Hotel management informed the public that after a year of repairs, and due to “ongoing issues with the landlord”, the Brunswick Hotel would not re-open.

The hotel’s management said in a statement, “To every band, artist, comedian, patron and staff member who has played a small or large role in our history, we THANK YOU. The Brunny would never have been what it was without the community that supports it.”

The broken fire hydrant that caused significant water damage to the Brunswick Hotel.

THE WHITE DOG/DUKE’S SALOON (LILYDALE HOTEL), LILYDALE 1862-2002

The White Dog, previously known as the Lilydale Hotel, is one of the oldest buildings in the Yarra Valley region, dating back to 1862.

It was the heart of the coaching trade in its early days and would stable horses behind the hotel.

Constructed with handmade bricks the building’s facade is heritage listed by Yarra Ranges Shire.

The pub closed in 2002 and has since fallen into a state of disrepair. Local community members have called for the pub to be repaired and reopened.

The White Dog Hotel in Lilydale has fallen into disrepair following its closure in 2002.

THE CORKMAN (THE CARLTON INN), CARLTON 1856-2016

The Corkman, previously known as the Carlton Inn, was a regular pub favourite for Melbourne university students.

A traditional Irish pub, the Corkman was home to regular Irish music sessions in its later years.

As a sponsor for residential colleges at the University of Melbourne, the Corkman would often be full on a Sunday evening with beer thirsty students.

In October 2016, cowboy developers illegally demolished the pub. The developers were fined $1.3 million dollars for the demolition and for illegally dumping industrial waste.

Professor Don Garden OAM, President of the Royal Historical Society Melbourne said in a statement, “The building was important not just for its age and generally intact exterior, but also for its position in the urban fabric.

“Standing at the southeast corner of University Square, it provided an anchor reminiscent of the square’s original urban framework.”

The Corkman, previously known as the Carlton Inn, 1980.

‘Cowboy’ developers ordered the demolition of the Corkman in 2017. Picture: Alex Coppel.

BRIDIE O’REILLY’S (SARAH SANDS HOTEL), BRUNSWICK 1854-2017

The Sarah Sands Hotel was built in 1854 on the corner of Sydney Road and Brunswick Road. The building was named after the British ship that first set sail in 1846, which is the date inscribed at the top of the building.

The Sarah Sands Hotel was sold and renamed Bridie O’Reilly’s in 1997.

Patrons would flock to Bridie O’Reilly’s for a chicken parmigiana and a pint, or stumble their way to the sticky dance floor on a night out.

The pub closed in 2017, going out with a bang with St Patrick’s Day celebrations. The building will be redeveloped into apartments and a restaurant, but the facade of the corner pub will remain.

The Sarah Sands hotel before it was Bridie O’Reilly’s, 1972.

Bridie O'Reillys pub was closed in 2017.

GREYHOUND HOTEL (GH), ST KILDA 1853-2017

The Greyhound Hotel began as a local watering hole for St Kilda’s working class, a rock and roll venue, but most notably as a meeting place for the LGBTIQ community.

The art-deco style facade of the building was constructed in the late 1930s over the original building, which would later disqualify the venue from heritage listing.

Rebranded as GH in its later years, the hotel was home to drag shows and drag bingo, and was also a nightclub.

The hotel’s management announced the closure of the iconic venue in late 2016 and a petition to keep the hotel open quickly gained 2,500 signatures of support.

According to Peter de Groot, a prominent gay community spokesman, the closure of GH was due to push back from local and state governments for not permitting the hotel to increase its capacity and extend trading hours.

Despite community efforts to keep the hotel open, the GH closed in 2017 and was demolished.

The Greyhound hotel before its demolition.

An artist's impression of a proposed eight-storey apartment complex on the site of St Kilda's Greyhound Hotel.

THE LONDON HOTEL, PORT MELBOURNE 1870-2017

The London Hotel served as the pub for sailors and dock workers in its early years, overlooking Station Pier.

Similar to the Greyhound Hotel, the London underwent art-deco renovations in the 1930s, altering the older Victorian-era style exterior.

As a local meeting place for sporting clubs, families, and local residents, there was outcry when rumours surfaced that the hotel was to be demolished.

Extensive efforts from local residents resulted in a report requesting that the pub be heritage listed to avoid the wrecking ball.

The planning minister did not approve the request and in 2017 the pub was demolished to make way for new apartment buildings.

London Hotel in Port Melbourne. Picture Norm Oorloff

The London Hotel was demolished to make way for a new apartment complex. Picture: David Crosling

UNDER THREAT

SEAMUS O’TOOLE IRISH PUB, KNOX 2002

When news broke that Knox’s Seamus O’Toole Irish Pub was set to close in May this year, over 1000 patrons queued for the final Monday night drinks. The response was so overwhelming the venue was given a reprieve.

Knox's Irish pub attracted a massive crowd for what was supposed to be the final Monday night drinks. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Affectionately known as ‘The Irish’ or ‘The Rish’, the pub was set to close alongside other longstanding retailers at Knox Ozone.

On Monday nights, the biggest night of the week, Seamus O’Toole’s is packed with patrons hitting the dancefloor to late 1990s and early 2000s pop anthems. While the reprieve has delighted the regulars, the Rish is not out of the woods yet.

The site of Daisey's hotel and nightclub was purchased earlier this year.

COSTELLO’S DAISEY’S HOTEL, RINGWOOD 1877

The site of Daisey’s hotel and nightclub was purchased by New Zealand’s Ryman Healthcare earlier this year.

The company plans to redevelop the site into a retirement village, although no demolition plans have been confirmed yet.

The original building still stands, although it is not protected by a heritage overlay.

The club’s bistro and dining areas were later additions, with the dome shape a key identifying feature of the hotel.