It’s long been considered royalty among Melbourne’s hospitality icons, which made it doubly exciting for KDPO to help spread the word that St Kilda’s The Prince Hotel is set for a major transformation under the new direction of hospitality entrepreneur Grant Smillie.
The music lover and hospitality entrepreneur (Ponyfish Island, Marmont) is something of a legend himself. His association with The Prince goes back to the early 2000s, when his DJ sets saw the Bandroom dance floor heaving with happy punters, so it makes perfect sense that he’s back to work his magic on a cornerstone of the city’s music, nightlife and hospitality scene.
Entertainment and live music will remain central to the identity of The Prince. New weekly programming spanning a broad mix of artists and genres will reenergise the Bandroom and the rooftop. Smillie and his creative partner, Projects of Imagination, will also revitalise the hotel’s rooftop pool deck, introducing a restaurant and bar, and return The Public Bar to its classic pub roots.
“Returning to The Prince feels like a full circle moment for me,” Smillie says. “I spent many formative years there during the Onelove era and know the space intimately. I’m energised about the prospect of evolving the existing offering at The Prince and creating something that honours its nostalgic past while creating something new.”
Spearheading the relaunch announcement saw KDPO garner extensive coverage in publications including the Herald Sun, Broadsheet Melbourne, Concrete Playground and Sitchu. We’ll see you on the dance floor later this year.
