To market, Newmarket

Summertime sojourning

The posse who brought you Albert Park, Royal Saxon and Middle Park Hotel certainly know how to kick-start summer. Newmarket Hotel has just joined the set, the newest watering hole amid their stellar collection of hip hotel pubs.

The place for sharing summer bites, Sunday sessions and the like, this St Kilda hot spot is worth your look-in. With an in and out door space, light infused bar and Californian influenced Hispanic Grill, it’s fast becoming a crowd pleaser.

Once in ruins (and formerly Scnitz and Tits), this reconstructed historical pub has consulted the oracle which predicts it’ll become ‘the’ destination for St Kilda locals, bohemians, musos, hipsters and those of similar ilk.

Merging the old with the new, Newmarket has bravely captured St Kilda’s iconic traits, the grittiness, eclectic characters and seedy undercurrent, with a fresh take on the contemporary ‘local pub’.

The produce-driven Latin menu spans nectarines and Serrano ham; octopus; and rare breed roasts from the smoking wood fire and barbeque. While drinks see carafes of wine, jugs of cocktails and 17 beers (no bottles), all oozing a little west coast Californ-i-a.

Newmarket masterfully weaves the fabric of the old St Kilda with the new. Rediscover your inner bo-ho and make it your summertime abode.