Spend an evening at the Garden State Hotel, and you may not leave until 5am the next morning. Stepping foot into Melbourne’s hottest new pub is like stepping into an adventure – the charm and wit of the sprawling venue may just suck you in as you lose sight of time.
The new Flinders Lane venue, seating just under 1,000 patrons, has something for everyone. The entrance opens onto a traditional public bar with high ceilings, exposed brick walls, and a double sided fireplace. The perfect backdrop to any meeting or conversation.
Continue on, and you will find yourself in a lush garden oasis courtyard. The Garden Grill – a New York style eatery — sits at the rear, serving up traditional pub fare alongside mouth-watering masterpieces from some of Melbourne’s most renowned chefs.
Further into the night, you might sneak downstairs to the Rose Garden, an intimate saloon serving up tantalising cocktails.
I was lucky to attend The Garden State Hotel media launch party – among one of the most unique media launches I have been to. The owners guided us on a progressive lunch and tour through the venue, recharging with champagne, marinated raw trout, wagyu beef steaks, and cocktails along the way.
The tour was incredibly personal with each of the four owners (from Sand Hill Road) telling stories about their background, visions for the venue, and the two-year-long planning and design process. It was evident that an enormous amount of work and thought went into each aspect of the venue. The owners are truly passionate about creating a quality pub offering a top-notch dining experience and down-to-earth atmosphere where friends can catch up and feel at home.
The new pub is a must see. My recommendation to you? Block out five hours, schedule in a progressive evening, and experience all that Garden State has to offer!
– Ember
Ember is an American turned Aussie. Her love affair with Melbourne goes back four years, and she still can’t get enough of this city! Discovering new hideouts and hidden gems around Melbourne is her hobby. Marketing Strategist by day, spontaneous adventurer, brekky enthusiast, and aerial acrobat by night.
Garden State Hotel
101 Flinders Lane
Melbourne VIC 3000
www.gardenstatehotel.com.au
