Hobson’s Bay Hotel x Broadsheet
Broadsheet’s Article on The Hobson’s Bay Hotel for Pubs, Dining in the Restaurant, Rooftop Bars & Functions in Williamstown, Melbourne.
“Brenton Lang, the founder of Rustica (which now has five of the best locations across Melbourne), is adding a pub to his sourdough empire.
He got the keys – ominously – on June 1, the day Melbourne restaurants reopened prior to lockdown 2.0. “It was obviously a risk to take it on at this time, but I feel confident things will get back to normal,” says Lang, who’s signed a 10-year lease for the site, with three five-year options to extend. “It’s just a fucking nightmare trying to work out when we can open.”
Before Made Establishment moved in, the spot was home to a pub called the Hobson’s Bay Hotel. So, Lang and his team are reinstating the name – but giving it a completely new look. Designer Fiona Drago, who’s behind most of the Rustica locations, has stripped back the space entirely. And no signs of the former Greek restaurant remain.
She’s working with “a lot of dark tones, timber and tartan carpet imported from Scotland”, Lang says, in a number of dining spaces and bars across three levels.
The pièce de résistance, though, is the rooftop. Left unfinished by the previous owners, the space hasn’t been utilised in any of the venue’s past lives. “It’s pretty spectacular,” says Lang. “There are sweeping views from the base of Ferguson Street – the boats, the dock, the bay, the city – all around to St Kilda.” There will be decking throughout, a retractable roof, and cocktails and vino on tap.
Heading up the kitchen will be former Supernormal head chef Ben Pigott, who’s also worked at Andrew McConnell’s Cumulus Inc, and – most recently – as group kitchen manager at Van Haandel Group, across venues such as Stokehouse and Fatto.
While his menu is still being finalised, much of it will revolve around a roaring woodfired grill. Expect substantial selection of flame-licked steaks and seafood, charry rotisserie chooks, and zhooshed-up pub classics.”
Hobson’s Bay Hotel is open at 23 Ferguson Street, Williamstown.