Dixon Hospitality has executed the first expansion of its newly acquired Open Door Pub Co portfolio, with a lavish new rooftop bar now crowning Melbourne’s Imperial Hotel.
One of 2015’s most acquisitive pub groups, Michael Dixon and father Bruce Dixon – former Spotlight CEO – purchased all 17 pubs and head office operations of the successful Open Door Pub Co in September.
One of the most prized in the leasehold portfolio is the 1858-built Imperial Hotel, located opposite Parliament House in inner-city Melbourne.
Undergoing a facelift “just in time for summer festivities” the Imperial now boasts an impressive rooftop beer garden for up to 270 patrons, with 360-degree views of the city.
The Hotel now has a new menu by group executive chef Justin Wise, featuring “pub-style treats with a twist” and the 20+ draught taps behind the rooftop bar will offer a mix of local and international beers and ciders.
The significant rooftop build involved a crane to lift a converted shipping container onto the second storey, and installation of a dedicated kitchen.
Open every day “midday-late” the space is already being billed as the “perfect vantage point to watch the fireworks” and the Dixon group has chosen to make the entire rooftop area non-smoking.
The freehold of the hotel, Melbourne’s third-oldest, smashed price expectations in May when it sold to a local family for $11.45 million.
Dixon Hospitality has previously stated plans to bring synergy to its new portfolio of 24 venues – accumulated in just 18 months – however Mike Dixon was unable to respond to enquiries in time for this publication.
