Iconic Melbourne Venue The Espy Changes Ownership Again

Iconic Southside Melbourne/Naarm venue The Espy has changed ownerships yet again, bought by Australian Venue Co.

The organisation, who is backed by a US private equity fund has also bought the Garden State Hotel, The Bridge Hotel (in Richmond) and the Terminus Hotel and run over 211 pubs across the country. They've bought the Espy in St Kilda for around $100 million, finalising a deal with previous operator Sand Hill Road. 

The food options will remain, but the new owners will take control of the booking of live acts at the venue. 

The venue has hosted a plethora of incredible live acts from Paul Kelly to Archie Roach going through a range of eras from the 1920s. It began as a jazz and dance venue, before a disco in the 1970s. Throughout the 80s and 90s live music was performed every night. 

The Gershwin Room inside the venue is also known as the filming set for the quiz show RocKwiz. 

The sale was announced in March of 2020, before being put on hold due to the ongoing pandemic. 

At the announcement, CEO Paul Waterson stated, "We have long admired the work of Sand Hill Road and everything that they have achieved in re-imagining and restoring rundown pubs,"

"We have a long track record of working in partnership with venues steeped in tradition, adding value where we can, while maintaining the local look and feel that customers know and love. We understand that as custodians of these establishments, we have a duty to the local communities that they serve to provide an outstanding customer experience."