The Prince Public Bar has been given the royal treatment, with the popular St Kilda pub revealing it’s stunning new fit-out, following an extensive 8-month renovation. The grunge may be gone but the laidback, down-to-earth charm remains, with plenty of excellent food and booze to bring the locals back again.

The Prince Hotel’s head chef Dan Cooper has created an approachable menu that revolves around upscale counter meals, from pasture-fed steaks in red wine sauce to wagyu sausages. The signature roast returns, with homely offerings like slow-roasted lamb shoulder, rotisserie pork belly and coal-grilled ocean trout. For less of a commitment, there’s also stomach-lining snacks like sausage rolls and ham and gruyere croquettes.

Local barflies will be pleased to see they’ve kept some of the oldies on tap, which are joined by craft offerings like Stomping Ground, Nagambie Brewery and Brick Lane. The cocktail list includes all the classics, while the wine selection has been expanded. Happy hour will run Monday- Fridaay from 5pm-7pm, with all schooners, wines by the glass and basic spirits priced at $8.

Imagined by IF Architecture, the new interiors pay homage to the building’s Art Deco heritage as well as the colourful St Kilda community. The entire ground floor has been opened up to bring in more natural light and space, with an internal staircase allowing a more free-flowing connection to other parts of the venue. Many heritage features have been restored, included a grand oval front bar that has been brought back to its former glory.

Prince Public Bar is located at 2 Acland Street, St Kilda, VIC. It opens Mon – Sun 7am – late. For more details, head to theprince.com.au/prince-public-bar.

Three new restaurants and bars have opened on the middle level of the Coogee Pavilion.