Kickon Group welcomed its first patrons to the Doutta Galla Hotel yesterday, Thursday 30 October, after a year-long renovation that has refreshed the main bar and expanded the pub’s offerings into the former upper-floor hotel rooms.
Founded in 1889, the Doutta Galla Hotel has been a fixture of Melbourne’s inner north for over a century. While it has been known by various names, including the Flemington Inn and the Geebung Polo Club, to locals it has always been The Doot.
Kickon Group acquired the Kensington pub in September 2024 from Michael Hickey, who owned and operated The Doot for 17 years, before shutting the pub down immediately to undertake a large-scale renovation across three floors.
The updated ground floor features two semi-separate spaces with dual street entry, including a public bar and a dining room. The public bar remains the heart of the venue, where dark arched windows have been retained, complemented by brand new bars, new flooring and fresh paintwork. On the ground floor, two private function rooms offer capacity for 10-20 guests.
A new staircase seamlessly connects the ground floor dining room to the new spaces on the two upper levels, with voids between the two levels opening up the areas and allowing light to stream in. Exposed brickwork, heritage fireplaces and stained glass windows are met with modern lighting and greenery to create a space that is described as “a mix of New York loft and old school pub”. The new spaces were flexibly designed to facilitate a variety of occasions, including dining, trivia nights, and functions of varying sizes.
Craig Shearer, Kickon Group CEO, says: “The Doutta Galla has always been about more than beer and food. It’s about connection, celebration, and the energy of the community. This relaunch isn’t just about reopening a pub; it’s about bringing a Melbourne icon back to life.”
Kickon Group has relaunched the hotel with a brand new food menu, spearheaded by chef Jake Furst. The menu has been designed around generous portions, balancing elevated pub fare with approachable family dining, with a focus on seasonal produce and bold flavours.
Designed for sharing, the snack menu features Osaka chicken ribs and san choi bao, while the stonebaked pizzas are also ideal for group dining.
Pub classics still have their place on the menu, but alongside the chicken parma and bacon cheeseburger, patrons will find more elevated dishes like orecchiette with lamb ragu and rosemary parmesan crumb and red curry duck leg with coconut rice and pickled cucumber. The menu also includes more than a dozen cuts of premium steak, including dry-aged selections, grilled on the signature Josper grill.
The venue boasts four brand-new bars, and 16 taps pouring local beers, alongside a selection of cocktails and on-tap wines.
Located near Flemington Racecourse, the Doutta Galla Hotel has long been a meeting spot for racegoers and sports fans, making entertainment crucial to the offering. The venue will screen sporting matches and host trivia nights, plus live acoustic sets every weekend, with a late 3 am license.
The venue will also uphold Kickon Group’s community focus, collaborating with local sports clubs, charity initiatives and neighbourhood events to ensure it remains a cornerstone of the Kensington community.
Take a look inside the revamped Doutta Galla Hotel:
