Young & Jackson's Hotel

Ph: (03) 9650 3884; 1 Swanston St, Melbourne 3000

pub grub, $$ -
Open mon-Thu-sun 9am-9pm fri-sat 9am-9.30pm; Licensed; AE DC MC V EFT

Mietta's Review
Built in 1853 and first licensed in 1861 as the Princess Bridge Hotel, Y&J's is reputedly Melbourne's oldest surviving pub. The main attraction - until gambling became endemic - was Chloe. Painted in 1875 by Jules Le Febvre and acquired in 1909 she was proudly on display in the public bar for the "Six O'Clock Swill" when governments forbade drinking past 6pm, except for the gentlemen's clubs where politicians went after a hard day of preventing workers a civilized drink. Chloe has moved upstairs to her own bar - the separate entrance is past the junkies and drunks in Swanston Street - where, despite the sometimes overly loud background music later in the week, students and tutors from the Council of Adult Education repair for a drink after classes, along with interstate and overseas tourists and city workers. Surprisingly for a pub in what must be Australia's best location, the kitchen closes too early to take advantage of late night diners. The fare is average pub food, but the nachos and pastas are good value as is the soup of the day in winter months. The fish and chips and some of the chicken dishes can be hard to beat.

Other published opinions

The Age Cheap Eats 2008 "For many, a gaze at nude Chloe is reason enough to visit Y&J's, and the famous 1861 hotel has always been as much about the vista as the food"

The Age Cheap Eats 2007 "curry might arive overcooked. But service is perky and, as you'd expect at this landmark watering hole, you're spoiled for choice on the beer front."

The Age Cheap Eats 2006 Long famed for its cheap beer and sticky carpet, this historic pub once pulled a crowd from across the social spectrum. A massive renovation has changed all that

The Age, A2, 21/2/04, Melinda Houston,'Sometimes the problem with icons and institutions is you forget they're there.Take Young and Jackson's.In all the excitement of Fed Square it's too easy to neglect this old classic with its classy refit.The front bar is once again a great place for a beer especially with a few mates.(There's a good menu,too) Adjoining it is a tidy little cafe area, perfect for coffee and cake.Upstairs is a bistro with one of the best views in town.'

The Herald Sun, 20.03.01, Stephen Downes review "You must ask for bread at Chloe's Brasserie. But don't be surprised when the bill arrives demanding $1 for every very ordinary roll presented. The friendly young men providing service have been badly trained, their questions about the quality of 'your day' and the meal are intrusive. But the relatively short wine list is exemplary - with good price variation and lots of drops available by the glass. Score: 11 out of 20."