Transport Hotel’s getting a major upgrade
The Transport Hotel has remained strong through 20 years of Fed Square’s ups and downs. Now one of the area’s few stalwarts is undergoing a complete makeover, starting with the rooftop bar.
Quincy Malesovas
Federation Square has seen many changes, but the Transport Hotel, home to the Transport Public Bar, Taxi Kitchen and Transit Rooftop Bar, has remained a staple since 2003. It is now undergoing a phased restructuring to appeal to Millennials and Generation Z.
The multimillion-dollar redevelopment of the site opposite Flinders Street Station has already begun, led by Studio Y, which is working on cocktail bar Nick & Nora’s and Shane Delia restaurant Jayda, among others.
Rooftop bar Transit has closed for a major renovation; Work will also continue on the restaurant and public bar, but both will remain open for service.
“The reason we are redeveloping the entire Transport Hotel over the next two years is to evolve culturally,” says Tony Twitchett, the venue’s executive chef and general manager. “Our demographic has become younger. Accommodations need to continue to evolve.”
Despite the best efforts of city planners, Fed Square has been a tough sell for Melburnians. Its geometric design was ridiculed. Its purpose has been much debated. In the last three years alone, Karen Martini’s ACMI restaurant Hero has closed due to foot traffic disputes; Mabu Mabu, chef Nornie Bero’s ode to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cuisine, has gone into liquidation; and Alejandro Saravia transformed his seasonal restaurant Victoria into an event space. COVID shutdowns and years of blocking development of the Metro Tunnel didn’t help.
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But lately there have been signs that the pendulum is shifting. Free concerts, sports broadcasts such as the Socceroos’ World Cup matches and events such as the Bakers Dozen at the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival have drawn people back to the area. The huge spectacle of a construction site blocking a corner has finally been removed. New venues have opened, such as the Good Nature Hotel, a refurbishment of the former Beer DeLuxe property.
Transport Hotel hopes to be a part of this change. Its upper deck, which has been completely gutted, will be reopened with two new bars, one facing the deck, the other directed inwards; weatherproof throughout and a refreshed palette of deep reds, dark wood and metal. The piano stage from its days as a jazz and live music venue, which Twitchett said would offer city views from every point in the house, was removed to make way for more seating.
The expanded music program, focusing on vinyl DJs, will give the venue a more low-key late-night vibe, supported by a custom Martin Audio sound system and programming from local booking agency WAT Artists.
Twitchett will continue to oversee the menu, but the focus will shift from snack food suitable for in-and-out visits to heartier dishes inspired by the US and UK. The menu is still being finalized, but he predicts it will include burgers and disco fries stuffed with sauce and melted cheese: “Classic items, but a little sassier.”
Cocktails will be designed by bartender and beverage consultant Matt Linklater, who also creates the drink lists. Good Food Guide Critics’ Choice restaurant Zareh in Collingwood and, more recently, Taxi Kitchen downstairs. The idea is to serve classics with subtle toppings, like coladas that replace pineapple with peaches.
The loft is currently closed and is expected to reopen in mid-spring 2026. Transport Public Bar and Taxi Kitchen, which screened all World Cup matches, will continue to trade throughout this period.
Federation Square, Melbourne, transportationhotel.com.au
