One of Melbourne’s most storied local pubs is about to get a seriously impressive reinvention. The Angel of Malvern — a neighbourhood cornerstone since it first opened its doors in 1856 as The Gardiner Hotel — is set to reopen under the custodianship of the newly formed Refinery Group, backed by award-winning luxury developer Kokoda Property. Opening in stages across April and June 2026, the reimagined venue promises to be far more than your average local. Spread across three distinct levels on the landmark corner of Glenferrie and Dandenong Roads, it’s shaping up to be one of the most exciting openings on the Melbourne social calendar this year.
Think of it as three experiences stacked beautifully on top of each other. The ground floor will welcome guests with a convivial public bar, while level one steps things up with a breezy Mediterranean-inspired eatery and wine bar — exactly the kind of all-day dining spot that Melbourne does so well. Then comes the real showstopper: an intimate speakeasy on the upper level, pairing creative cocktails with flexible event spaces for those nights when you want something a little more special. Heading up the food direction across all three levels is veteran chef Justin North, who brings more than 35 years of global hospitality experience and a produce-led, technique-driven philosophy to the menu. Expect reimagined pub classics downstairs, sun-drenched Mediterranean flavours in the middle, and inventive bar snacks upstairs.
The thoughtful transformation has been entrusted to architecture firm Studio McCue, whose founder Chris McCue has woven the building’s existing heritage character together with modern industrial elements and bespoke details. The result is a space that feels both authentic and alive — the kind of venue that respects its history without being trapped by it. For Refinery Group’s founder Mark Stevens, the vision goes beyond just a great fit-out: the aim is to create a space where architecture, food, service and atmosphere all work as one. With a pipeline of more than ten hospitality brands planned across Melbourne and Brisbane — including the recently acquired The Saint in St Kilda — The Angel of Malvern is just the beginning of what promises to be a very exciting new chapter in Melbourne’s dining scene.
Visit https://theangelofmalvern.com.au/ for more information
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