The Station Hotel is a Footscray icon. Located on the corner of Napier and Hyde, a couple minutes’ walk from the Railway Station, the Station Hotel stands at the intersection where you can see the trains in one direction, a beautiful view of the city in another and the heritage Council building in the other.
The Station Hotel has been known for many things over its 168 years, well before its current reputation as serving the best steaks in the west.
The Station Hotel opened in 1857, a period when Footscray was rapidly growing due to its proximity to Melbourne and the development of the railway network. Its location near the Footscray Railway Station made it a convenient stop for travellers.
We are located opposite a local theatre and for decades we’ve been a place to stop in for a meal before and after visits to the city.
Over the years the Station Hotel performed many crucial roles. In its early years – like many pubs of the time – the Station Hotel served as a community hub and even a de facto court for coronial inquests.
The hotel survived a fire in 1881 when a grocer store was destroyed and “the adjoining houses on either side – one being the Station Hotel, kept by Mr Glaysher, and the other [a newsagent]” were threatened.
On 26 February 1876 a report in The Herald noted an inquest was held at the Station Hotel into the death of a Braybrook man.
But there were many more cheerful events. It was also a popular meeting place for sporting clubs. The Advertiser on 22 June 1895 reported on a meeting of the members of Footscray Rowing Club at which “there was a large attendance”.
On 10 February 1950 the pub’s manager made the news. The West Australian reported on a tale of survival.
Under the headline ‘Party Saved After Daring Swim’ the report noted: “A daring swim across an 18ft floodwater torrent by two Melbourne men today saved a part of four fishermen who had spent 48 hours stranded between two rising creeks in southern New South Wales.”
It went on: “Members of the party were: Gordon McIntyre, licensee of the Station Hotel, Footscray, and three friends. Originally bound on a fishing expedition they sat huddled, hungry and cold in their car on the desolate strip of country between the two streams. None of the four could swim.”
While Gordon McIntyre received help in that instance, he – and his wife and customers – were ever eager to help others. Since the first hotels were built in Australia in the 1850s there has been a strong sense of social responsibility and thoughtfulness extended by many hotel owners, echoing as pubs so often do, the Australian way of helping others when it’s needed.
We saw this in 1946. The Station Hotel owners – Mr and Mrs Gordon McIntyre – and regulars dug deep in 1946 to help the Children’s Hospital appeal, raising 600 pounds – a fortune in that time. Thanks went to “all other hotelkeepers and their generous clients who responded so well to yesterday’s appeal”.
Today The Station Hotel takes pride in a seasonal menu inspired by high-quality, French-themed comfort food using local and seasonal ingredients. We offer function spaces perfect for a variety of events, and excellent daily specials.
Our vibe shifts from area to area in the venue. Our Dining Room is best summarised as “formalised casual dining” and is what we are known for – providing top quality service and all the niceties of a more formal experience while allowing customers the ease and comfort of casual dining.
Our Bar area is a casual drinks area with the bonus of having our full dining menu available to it.
Our Beer Garden is for families and big groups looking for that space to relax and take in the weather while it holds, with an Outside bar and plentiful large tables, alongside a large playground for the kids it has a very strong family and relaxed vibe.
Our offerings on Sunday for families has made it one of the larger events of the week, with a full Sunday roast, animal farm, and face painter all available in our Beer Garden.
We are known for the quality of our meals, we are well known for the quality first and uncompromising service that we give, for which we have won two awards.
Come and visit us soon.