Australian Venue Co has this week relaunched the rebranded Morris House, following a transformational multi-million-dollar renovation.
The all-new four-level Morris House boasts a bright new-look exterior, entertainment on multiple levels, fine dining and outdoor areas, including a terrace and expansive rooftop with city views. It can accommodate 550 guests, with 180 on the roof.
Street level offers a dining room and bar, decked with cosy, plush leather booths and a new marble bar top, tempting city-goers off the busy sidewalk for lunch or a post-work drink.
On the first floor is Level One Bar and Terrace, with more booth seating and a view of Exhibition Street. It will host weekly live music and is available for corporate and social events.
Morris House’s Rooftop is a leafy, green inner-city oasis, equipped with retractable roof for year-round comfort. A DJ plays every Friday and Saturday night.
And below ground is the Basement Comedy Club – a neon-lit space inspired by the great comedy clubs of New York, set between exposed brick walls under moody lighting. The space will host local and headline comedy acts every Friday and Saturday night in collaboration with Melbourne Comedy, including residency by Arj Barker from 18 July.
There is a comprehensive new menu from executive chef Christian Abbott and head chef Andrzej Urbanik, serving up reimagined pub classics and house specials such as loaded bagels, cured meats, house-made focaccia, share plates and baked camembert.
On Sunday there’s the Long Lunch, plating up grazing smallgoods and classic Beef Wellington.
Alongside the dining comes a curated cocktail menu, tempting patrons with a signature Agave section providing the likes of a Spicy Watermelon Margarita, and a house take on an old-school Australian biscuit with the Frozen Iced VoVo Margarita.
The Hotel was previously the European Bier Café. AVC bought the operation in late 2019 and have completed a $4 million renovation designed by architect Red Design.
Beyond a big-splash new addition to the Melbourne pub scene, it is a “new era for the old building” says venue manager Dylan Hewlett.
“We’re bringing all the best parts of Melbourne together in one place, which means there will always be something to come and enjoy.”
