Prahran Hotel

Whether it’s summertime drinking in a beer garden or a warm pint of Guinness by a fireplace, pubs are in many ways the living rooms of the city. Which is why when a historic pub gets a reno there’s always the chance we might be swapping a piece of history for another generic watering hole.

Established in the 1850s and with an art deco-inspired exterior, the Prahran Hotel has recently undergone a major facelift. And they’re not just pulling up the carpet. The rear of the pub now boasts 17 massive concrete pipes stacked like beer kegs, allowing passers-by to peer in from the street. It’s a bold and ambituous move, but I like it.

Inside the front part of the pub has been preserved and mercifully still has fireplaces, the original bar and fittings. I would have preferred less plasmas.

Out back you step into another sprawling, open space dominated by a central garden. There’s a dance floor and DJ booth. Staircases lead up past nooks and crannies where booths seat punters in those massive concrete pipes and peer at the people outside peering in. The whole feel is kind of Jetsons-esque and perhaps unintentionally represents the change between drinking habits and tastes in the suburb. Both are very different, and you can choose which camp you feel more comfortable in.

Food wise the menu keeps pretty close to pub classics – expect schnitzel, parmas, roasts and pies. They are pleasingly massive. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are $13 parma and steak nights. Plus every Friday night at 5pm Karma Keg happens, where a keg of Carlton is tapped and you pay whatever you want for a pot with all money raised going to charity.

As good an excuse as any to get drinking.

Photos by Peter Clarke Photography.

PRAHRAN HOTEL
82 High Street, Prahran
9529 2168
Open daily 12pm till late
prahranhotel.com