1853hotel established
About this place
The city’s architecture walk identifies the hotel at 34 Franklin Street as Melbourne’s oldest surviving hotel.
The record
Comparison: Surviving hotel buildings in Melbourne, in the architecture guide.
The venue listing gives a first licence in 1853; the walking guide says serving from 1854. Licence, building and trading dates are separate. Other pubs make oldest claims under different definitions.
Visiting
Check the linked visitor information for current opening, entry and booking arrangements.
Access requirements and opening arrangements should be checked with the operator. Occasion tags are editorial suggestions. They do not certify accessibility or opening hours.
A dateAfter darkWith friends
Sources
Sources checked 23 September 2026. A publisher’s claim is attributed; it is not a complete independent survey.
- City of Melbourne
Supports the specific claim and comparison described above.
- City of Melbourne venue listing
Records the first licence in 1853; the walking guide refers to serving from 1854.