An old Carlton favourite has reopened with a sleek new interior that honours its colourful past.

Since the 1920s it’s been a sentry guarding the corner of Grattan and Bouverie Streets. To this day, the Prince Alfred Hotel’s light stone and brick façade is symbolic of its past, as a popular gathering point for uni students and hospital workers since opening in 1926.  Regulars will recall the simple worn-out interior — which was all fine and well until it closed in 2015.

The pub was then bought by The University of Melbourne, and — much to the disappointment of uni students and $1 beer enthusiasts in the inner north — has sat empty ever since. But the Carlton has been given a new lease on life. The 100 Burgers Group (the team behind some of Melbourne’s favourites, like Belle’s Hot Chicken, Welcome to Thornbury and Hightail) has come on board to commandeer the pub’s revival.

As before, it spans two levels, each with a bar, and a beer garden. In addition to a permanent kitchen serving traditional pub fare, there’s a shipping container turned into another kitchen which will showcase visiting food pop-ups — plans see each pop-up taking residence for a month or two. The first vendor is set to be Kan’s personal project, Mr Burger.

The Prince Alfred opened last week, and we’ve got a first look. In partnership with Zantac we’re uncovering the best new restaurants and bars around Australia as they open. We’ve got the lowdown on the team, the design and — most importantly — the menu so that you can head in educated, excited and ready to take it all in — with a few dishes recommended by the chef, no less.