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The Espy

places|vic|st%20kilda|the%20espy
The Espy — as it is known to generations of live music fans — is the real deal of Melbourne rock institutions and offers live gigs every night of the week.

Editorial


Situated right on St Kilda Esplanade opposite the beach, The Espy is a somewhat rundown but iconic (read thankfully still old-school) live music pub. This old dame dates back to the 1878 and has had few additions over the years (apart from the gross apartment buildings towering over it and the newish and upmarket Ichy Ni Japanese restaurant next door which used to be the drive through bottle shop). Nothing much else has been touched (including the sticky carpet floors) so this place oozes authenticity, and occasionally sloppy backpackers, but is a favourite with locals and anyone who enjoys real music.

All the greats in rock, metal, punk and pop have played here from Paul Kelly to Grand Master Flash, and over the years The Espy has become one of the few live music venues that every young band simply has to play in if they expect at some cred. The old world glamour of St Kilda's bygone days (it was originally the resort of Melbourne a hundred years ago) can still be felt as you saunter (or probably stumble) up the grand staircase entrance. Inside is a rabbit warren of back rooms, hallways and staircases, while the old public bar takes pride of place out front with its crappy tables and chairs and a rows of fifties-style booths that fill up fast on any given night. For more some humble but generous food fare, there is the Espy Kitchen on street level with big booth seats, and an upstairs section, where you can get a bumper breakfast or a fast and easy dinner.

Every night there are gigs on offer and, unless some big out of town act is playing (and they are usually ticketed events in the larger Gershwin Room), there is usually no cover charge. Pretty much everyone has enjoyed a beer and watched the sunset over Port Phillip Bay while some hot young thing thrashes out their latest song on stage.

The music lineup is mixed, so one night you might catch a local indie-folk-pop band, while the next night may be reggae or, if you're unlucky, heavy metal (no offence Metallica fans). The Espy is also home to the popular SBS show RocKwiz, filmed in the famous and plush-curtained Gershwin Room - so you can turn up and wait in line hoping to answer the right rock question to gain entry into this cult music trivia night, or you can just try flirting with the foxy host Julia Zemiro.

Din Heagney, April 2010

Event Listing

Del the Funky Homosapien Tour

The Espy 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda 2011-07-21

21 - July 2011

2011-07-21

Justin Derrico

The Espy 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda 2011-08-20

20 - August 2011

2011-08-20

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2 User reviews (add yours)

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Shirley
July 11, 2010


Long and lousy breakfast + super long wait for coffee finished our food and waited another half an hour for our coffees

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Bruce
July 11, 2010


The worse coffee i have ever had made by the rude male staff!!!

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