A Hawthorn institution is back in business after a 15-year hiatus, with The Beehive officially reopening on Barkers Road under new owners Julien Moussi and Tony Pantano.
“The Beehive was always our local, and a pub that felt like home,” says Moussi. “It’s pretty special to be reigniting that sense of connection for so many, while embracing a new wave of people to make it their own.”
Guests can expect a refreshed interior, with the 300-seater undergoing a transformation that prioritised restoration and presentation.
Original heritage ceiling plasterwork has been coated in dark chocolate paint, while floors and windows have been meticulously patched up.
The Beehive is split into a public bar, bistro, and outdoor area with multifunctional dining rooms also installed.
Chris Rendell is behind the culinary offering of the space, having worked for culinary icons including Neil Perry and Christine Manfield as well as kitchens in New York and New Zealand.
“I’ve created a menu that features the kind of dishes I’d want to tuck into at a pub. And while you can expect some of the usual classics, it’s a bistro-style approach to food, with a strong focus on woodfire cooking,” he says.
Starters cover house focaccia and wood-fired bread that can be teamed with a selection of accompaniments – think chicken liver parfait, whipped parmesan, or prosciutto.
Mains are designed to share, with highlights including pork and fennel Bolognese; hand-cut tagliatelle with enoki and oyster mushrooms; and spatchcock with salsa verde.
The menu lists a range of steaks as well as lamb rump with smoked potato aioli and mint pesto.
Harrison Young has curated a wine list of both local and international drops with 17 wines available by the glass and 120 by the bottle. The venue has 12 beers on tap and a cocktail list spanning 20 options.
The Beehive is open from midday until late Monday to Friday and from 11:30am on weekends.
