The Bay Hotel Mornington

Housed inside a heritage-listed building, this gastropub on Mornington’s main strip has a storied past. Established in 1889, it was originally built as a bank before being converted into a hotel and, eventually, a nightclub.

Today, it’s run by Liam Ganley (Angus & Bon, Freddie Wimpole’s) and it’s a vibrant meeting spot for casual (and often local) drinks, hearty pub meals, watching the game or catching a gig. It’s divided across two levels, with a main bar and dining booths downstairs, and a bandroom and sports bar upstairs. In a nod to the hotel’s history, the bank’s original vault has been cleverly converted into a private dining room. The revamped interiors draw inspiration from classic Australian pubs as well as Ganley’s Irish heritage, with exposed brick, dark timber-panelled walls, and chequerboard floors that wrap the bar.

That inspiration extends to the menu, which features pub meal favourites alongside more contemporary offerings. Of course, there’s the classic chicken parma, as well as ale-battered fish with chubby chips, tartare sauce and a wedge of lemon. You might also find bangers and mash with Cumberland sausages, onion marmalade and a red-wine jus. Carb-lovers are also catered to with crab linguini tossed through tomato, chilli and wine, or hearty mushroom gnocchi. If you’re after something smaller, find oysters, scallops and Southern-style buttermilk fried chicken tenders with chipotle aioli.

Stop by for drinks and you’ll find classic cocktails, mostly Australian wines and a handful of beers made on the east side of the bay, including Jetty Road, Mornington Breweries, St Andrews Beach Brewery and Two Bays Brewing Co.