Mitchell Waugh’s Public House Management Group (PHMG) has announced the opening of Montague Hotel, in the heart of Marrickville, promising the charm of a modern local with the energy of a late-night lounge.
Set to begin trading in July, ‘The Monty’ aims to be a new take on the classic Australian pub, as an entirely reimagined, two-storey hospitality destination.
The design by Venari Projects, which did PHMG’s Toxteth Hotel redevelopment, brings two distinct yet connected experiences. Downstairs is a familiar and unpretentious traditional pub, while level one is “a little more elevated” courtesy of its chic bar, with a playful edge.
“The Monty is your favourite local pub, just done differently,” CEO Mitchell Waugh told PubTIC.
The name Montague is a nod to family, stemming from Mitchell’s father, William Montague Waugh, and carried on as the middle name of one of Mitchell and Harriet Waugh’s daughters.
A new menu takes cues from Marrickville’s food scene, blending old-school charm with bold creativity to range “done right” essentials, seen in the schnitties, parmis and dry-aged steaks, alongside creations such as tuna tartare with soy and flatbread, and chargrilled pork chop with caper butter and smashed potato salad.
“We’re pushing the boundaries of classic pub food through fire cooking and expert dry-aging; this is pub fare, elevated,” proffers PHMG group executive chef Scott Greve (Hatch), working with The Monty’s head chef, William Lesmana (Hatch, 6HEAD).
Heading upstairs, guests will encounter Harriet’s, where “chaos flirts with class” in a refined oasis.
Open Thursday through Sunday, Harriet’s is geared to long lunches and golden hour cocktails, with marble bar tops, velvet textures, intimate booth seating, and private dining available.
But come Saturday evenings, BAD Harriet’s takes the reins, for a touch of after-dark mischief. Said to be “your wildly elegant best friend” the space slips into something more appropriate, channelling late-night escape under spinning disco balls and DJs as the soundtrack moves from soul to dance.
“Harriet’s doesn’t just serve a scene — she sets it. A little louder, a little later.”
Harriet’s also enjoys a menu where Greve and Lesmana “turned the dial up” on dishes such as wagyu beef tartare and wagyu skewers, and an 800g pork tomahawk with burnt apple. There is also a rotating brunch menu featuring crab benedict, and fig & ricotta hotcakes.
A fresh cocktail menu continues the bold flavours and cheeky personality, featuring the Watermelon Sugar High, Casa Rosa, and poignant After Hours – a smooth combination of Hennessy, cab merlot, dark chocolate, almond, orange, cherry and lemon.
PHMG was established by second-generation publican Mitchell Waugh in 2014, based in an ideal of ‘mateship, excellence and a dynamic approach’ and a “see something do something” attitude.
After a five-year battle, in 2013 the Waugh family won the right to move the licence from the Henson Park to a new venue on Illawarra Road, giving rise to the Marrickville Ritz, which now evolves further, into The Monty.
PHMG’s portfolio counts the Royal Hotel in Paddington, The Toxteth in Glebe, Minskys Hotel Cremorne – bought from Redcape in 2022, Humphrey’s Hotel & Hatch in Hurstville – relaunched in May, and the new-look Monty in the inner west.
“It’s something Marrickville hasn’t seen before,” furthers Waugh.
“It’s a multifaceted venue, but like all PHMG venues, still orientated around community.”
@montaguehotel_marrickville
