The Emerald Hotel

05/05/2026

Warrnambool May Racing Carnival kicks off today. We’re showing every race, all week on the big screens! Doors open at midday

30/04/2026

Celebrate Mum at The Emerald. Join us for lunch from 12pm this Mother’s Day. Bookings essential

29/04/2026

24/04/2026

34 years behind a bar is a long time to be part of people’s lives.

This month, the family behind The Emerald Hotel in South Melbourne handed over the keys. Not because they had to… just because the time felt right.

Their story didn’t start in the city. It started out at Culgoa, proper Mallee country, where long days weren’t optional and hard work wasn’t something you talked about — you just got on with it. That mindset followed them through Ocean Grove and eventually into South Melbourne.

Truth is, Mum wasn’t sold on the idea of a big city pub. Different pace, different crowd. But Jane — unofficial boss of the whole outfit — pointed out something simple… it’d keep the family close. Kids, grandkids, the lot. That was enough to take the punt.

What they built wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t trendy. It was something rarer.

A proper pub.

The kind where you walk in and don’t need to explain yourself. Where faces get remembered. Where the bar staff know when to have a chat and when to just pour the beer and leave you be. Over time, The Emerald Hotel became that place — for locals, for blow-ins, for anyone chasing a bit of familiarity in a busy city.

People didn’t just go there for a feed. They went to catch up, talk footy, back a horse, celebrate the wins, or just quietly get through a tough week. It became part of people’s routines… and for plenty, a second home.

The awards came along the way — Pub of the Year, Pub of the Decade, best punting pub in the country — but that was never really the point. The real measure was the same faces coming back, year after year.

That doesn’t happen by accident.

Now the keys move on, with Peter Giemza and Andy Lewis taking the reins. A new chapter, but built on the same bones.

And for the Lewis family, there’s not much left to prove.

They didn’t just run a pub.

They built a place people will always remember.

14/04/2026

After 34 years, the time has come for our family to hand over the keys to The Emerald Hotel.

The story of The Emerald did not begin in South Melbourne. It began in Culgoa, in the heart of the Mallee, where Mum and Dad learned what hard work really meant through long days and true country grit. That way of doing things stayed with them, was refined through Ocean Grove, and eventually found its way to South Melbourne.

When Mum and Dad were looking at a new pub, Mum was not entirely convinced they were up for the challenge of a big city hotel. But when Jane , the unofficial boss of the family, pointed out that a pub in the city would keep them close to their kids, and later the grandkids too, they took a punt, and that one decision became an amazing 34 year journey.

What Mum and Dad, alongside Andy and Jane created at The Emerald was never just a business. It was a proper country pub in the city. A place built on character, consistency, hard work and genuine hospitality. They welcomed people in, remembered faces, listened to stories and created a place where people felt comfortable, looked after and known.

The Emerald became a place where people came not just for a meal or a drink, but to catch up, share stories, talk sport, back a horse, celebrate something special or simply pass a few hours in good company. For so many, it became a home away from home, and that is something our family will always be proud of.

Over the years, that simple approach was recognised in ways that meant a great deal to us, though it was never what drove them. In 1999, The Emerald was awarded both the 3AW De Bortoli Wines Pub of the Year and Pub of the Decade. In 2022, it was named TAB Australia’s favourite punting venue and in 2024, was voted Australia’s best punting pub by Racing.com

To everyone who walked through the doors, worked with us, shared a drink, celebrated a milestone or simply kept coming back, thank you. You helped make The Emerald what it is.

Now the pub is going into very good hands with Peter Giemza and our Andy Lewis at the helm...our family is genuinely excited to see the next chapter of The Emerald story unfold.

With love and sincere thanks,
The Lewis Family 💚

14/04/2026

After 34 years, the time has come for our family to hand over the keys to The Emerald.

The story of The Emerald did not begin in South Melbourne. It began in Culgoa, in the heart of the Mallee, where Mum and Dad learned what hard work really meant through long days and true country grit. That way of doing things stayed with them, was refined through Ocean Grove, and eventually found its way to South Melbourne.

When Mum and Dad were looking at a new pub, Mum was not entirely convinced they were up for the challenge of a big city hotel. But when Jane , the unofficial boss of the family, pointed out that a pub in the city would keep them close to their kids, and later the grandkids too, they took a punt, and that one decision became an amazing 34 year journey.

What Mum and Dad, alongside Andy and Jane created at The Emerald was never just a business. It was a proper country pub in the city. A place built on character, consistency, hard work and genuine hospitality. They welcomed people in, remembered faces, listened to stories and created a place where people felt comfortable, looked after and known.

The Emerald became a place where people came not just for a meal or a drink, but to catch up, share stories, talk sport, back a horse, celebrate something special or simply pass a few hours in good company. For so many, it became a home away from home, and that is something our family will always be proud of.

Over the years, that simple approach was recognised in ways that meant a great deal, though it was never what drove them. In 1999, The Emerald was awarded both the 3AW De Bortoli Wines Pub of the Year and Pub of the Decade. In 2022, it was named Australia’s favourite punting venue. In 2024, The Emerald was voted Australia’s best punting pub by Racing.com

To everyone who walked through the doors, worked with us, shared a drink, celebrated a milestone or simply kept coming back, thank you. You helped make The Emerald what it is.

Now the pub is going into very good hands with Peter Giemza & our own Andy Lewis at the helm...our family is genuinely excited to see the next chapter of The Emerald story unfold.

With love & sincere thanks,
The Lewis Family 💚

31/03/2026

Plenty happening midweek at

Happy Hour
Tuesday to Friday
4pm- 6pm

Live Jazz Dinner & Show
Wednesdays from 6pm

Steak Night
Thursdays from 6pm

A South Melbourne favourite for decades, The Emerald has always been the kind of place that keeps things easy - good food, good people and the sort of atmosphere that feels familiar the minute you walk in.

The Emerald Hotel - the local you know and love 👌👌

See you soon

31/03/2026

It's all about swings and roundabouts...

Imani Botham came to work at the Emerald via our very good friend 🙏
No surnames used in that interview process 😉 and we were so excited to welcome her back last weekend for Australia Cup Saturday

Come and see us again soon 💕💕

03/03/2026

Today we honour the life of a true Australian racing great & a respected and well loved friend of the Emerald...
Pat Hyland

A Hall of Fame jockey and Group 1 trainer, Pat’s name is etched into the history of our sport. He achieved one of racing’s rarest feats, claiming victories in the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Golden Slipper. A Grand Slam that only a handful of riders have ever completed. 

But beyond the trophies was a man admired for his integrity, passion and love of horses. A gentleman of the turf whose respect was earned on and off the track.

To Maree, Joanne, Paul, Matthew, Chris, Sammy, Patrick, grandchildren and all of Pat’s extended family, we send our deepest condolences, love and respect during this time.

Vale Pat Hyland 🙏

24/02/2026

Grand Prix 2026 🏁
The Emerald Hotel

has it all on offer to celebrate the GP festival...

🏁 Lunch & dinner options for causal get togethers & corporate entertaining
🏁Private dining areas available with big screens & 101 Emerald hospitality
🏁 Roar of the GP 100 metres away
🏁 Open Thursday - Sunday...call past for our classic Emerald Bloody Mary to start your day!
🏁 Number 12 & 96 trams take you to our door 🚃

Book via the link in our Bio or just call past throughout the GP festival to enjoy the atmosphere from the Emerald!