The historic Court House Hotel of North Melbourne is back, backed by a team of Victorian pub tragics and serving a new stint as a gastro pub.
Originally named the Peacock Hotel when it was built in 1857, it was renamed in 1861 to the current moniker in recognition of the local courthouse, directly across the road at the time. In the 1940s it received a major makeover into the current Art Deco style, fronted in pale bricks.
For much of the first decade or so after the turn of the century the Court House gained a reputation as one of Melbourne’s finest gastropubs, led by name chefs including Stephen Burke and Zoe Birch.
But it changed hands, and the previous owners operated it without the kitchen, before the pub eventually closed at the end of the lease, mid-2022.
Ryan Moses, Rusty Sturrock and Ryan and Laura Berry were behind the success of Naughtons Hotel in Parkville, and have joined Ellie Sturrock and Sunday Birch in taking on a new 30-year lease at the Court.
The group want to acknowledge the building’s history, sweeping away years of neglect in a renovation involving architect Alana Cooke, to restore its former glory and retain as many original features as they can.
Works have required stripping decades of paint to reveal prized wood panelling, refurbishing the original fireplace, hanging new wallpaper and installing terrazzo bar tops and tables beside brown leather banquettes.
Officially reopening for business near the end of May, the front bar exudes a classic old-school pub atmosphere, while the back bar is intended for larger groups.
Steered by Sturrock, the kitchen is serving guests in the main dining room, as well as two private rooms upstairs, for up 35 guests.
The menu features house-made pork shoulder sausages and delicacies from the in-house fish butchery. Steaks are cooked over a charcoal pit, and a Sunday roast of either chicken or pork is done on a custom parilla grill. In the works are mid-week specials, such as a weekly curry night.
Behind the bar English-style ales are pulled through two hand pumps, while Hop Nation stars a selection of local brews.
And capping the old-school ambiance, the public bar proudly keeps a record player, beside a collection of vintage vinyl boasting classics from the likes of the Beatles, Queen and Pink Floyd.
