‘If I buy two pints every night, will you stay open?’: Beloved pub’s shock closure stuns locals
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Melbourne’s hospitality scene has seen its fair share of changes, but few closures have left a mark quite like this one.
After decades of pouring pints, hosting live music, and serving as a home away from home for many, a beloved venue has made a shocking announcement—one that has left regulars reeling.
As the countdown to its final days begins, the outpouring of emotion has been overwhelming.
After nearly three decades of serving pints, live music, and hearty Irish meals, The Quiet Man in Melbourne announced it would be closing its doors for good.
The iconic Irish pub, located on Racecourse Road in Kensington, confirmed it would have one last hurrah on 17 March, with St Patrick’s Day marking its final day of trade.
‘After 27 years of pints, tunes, Irish food, and mighty craic, The Quiet Man will be closing—going out with a bang on St Patrick’s Day (March 17) being our last day of trade,’ the pub wrote on social media.
Since opening in 1998, the venue became a favourite among Irish expats and Flemington punters, offering a taste of home with perfectly poured Guinness and traditional Irish hospitality.
Thousands of gigs, more than a million meals, and an estimated two million pints of Guinness were served over the years.
The news left regulars devastated, with nearly 500 people responding to the pub’s announcement online.
‘Been my local since I moved in 2006. Very sad for the area. One of my best memories was watching Australia vs. Japan in 2006 in the front bar. My liver is still recovering,’ one customer shared.
‘So sad and sorry to hear. This pub was where my partner and I met 25 years ago and has always been a favourite place for us to celebrate all our occasions,’ another wrote.
‘If I buy two pints every single night until I die will you stay open?’ a hopeful patron asked.
The property was sold in October after receiving over 100 inquiries, with new owners Zengal Group set to take over at the end of March.
Real estate agency LemonBaxter confirmed the sale was completed in just 59 days.
The new owners hinted that it might not be the end for the beloved pub, with reports suggesting plans to refurbish and revitalise the venue.
The new co-owner, Zenita O’Neill, was quoted saying the purchase was ‘not just bricks and mortar for us.’ She revealed that she and business partner James Gallagher had both previously worked at the bar.
The pub also held a long-standing connection with the Melbourne Rose of Tralee, an event linked to the global Rose of Tralee International Festival.
As the countdown to closure began, The Quiet Man encouraged patrons to make the most of the remaining weeks.
According to the management: ‘We want to say a massive thank you to everyone who's ever walked through our doors—whether you were here for a quick pint, a Sunday session, or just to remind yourself what Guinness is supposed to taste like.’
‘There's still time to squeeze in a few more rounds, belt out a few more songs, and send The Quiet Man off in proper style. So, round up your mates, pop in for one (or several), and help us give this grand old pub the farewell it deserves.’
In a previous story, we covered another heartbreaking closure—Australia’s first women’s sports bar, which shut its doors after struggling to stay afloat.
‘We couldn’t hold on any longer,’ the owners admitted.
Read more about their story.
With nearly three decades of memories, pints, and unforgettable nights, The Quiet Man has left a lasting mark on Melbourne’s pub scene. Do you think the new owners will be able to capture the same spirit, or is this truly the end of an era?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
After decades of pouring pints, hosting live music, and serving as a home away from home for many, a beloved venue has made a shocking announcement—one that has left regulars reeling.
As the countdown to its final days begins, the outpouring of emotion has been overwhelming.
After nearly three decades of serving pints, live music, and hearty Irish meals, The Quiet Man in Melbourne announced it would be closing its doors for good.
The iconic Irish pub, located on Racecourse Road in Kensington, confirmed it would have one last hurrah on 17 March, with St Patrick’s Day marking its final day of trade.
‘After 27 years of pints, tunes, Irish food, and mighty craic, The Quiet Man will be closing—going out with a bang on St Patrick’s Day (March 17) being our last day of trade,’ the pub wrote on social media.
Since opening in 1998, the venue became a favourite among Irish expats and Flemington punters, offering a taste of home with perfectly poured Guinness and traditional Irish hospitality.
Thousands of gigs, more than a million meals, and an estimated two million pints of Guinness were served over the years.
The news left regulars devastated, with nearly 500 people responding to the pub’s announcement online.
‘Been my local since I moved in 2006. Very sad for the area. One of my best memories was watching Australia vs. Japan in 2006 in the front bar. My liver is still recovering,’ one customer shared.
‘So sad and sorry to hear. This pub was where my partner and I met 25 years ago and has always been a favourite place for us to celebrate all our occasions,’ another wrote.
‘If I buy two pints every single night until I die will you stay open?’ a hopeful patron asked.
The property was sold in October after receiving over 100 inquiries, with new owners Zengal Group set to take over at the end of March.
Real estate agency LemonBaxter confirmed the sale was completed in just 59 days.
The new owners hinted that it might not be the end for the beloved pub, with reports suggesting plans to refurbish and revitalise the venue.
The new co-owner, Zenita O’Neill, was quoted saying the purchase was ‘not just bricks and mortar for us.’ She revealed that she and business partner James Gallagher had both previously worked at the bar.
The pub also held a long-standing connection with the Melbourne Rose of Tralee, an event linked to the global Rose of Tralee International Festival.
As the countdown to closure began, The Quiet Man encouraged patrons to make the most of the remaining weeks.
According to the management: ‘We want to say a massive thank you to everyone who's ever walked through our doors—whether you were here for a quick pint, a Sunday session, or just to remind yourself what Guinness is supposed to taste like.’
‘There's still time to squeeze in a few more rounds, belt out a few more songs, and send The Quiet Man off in proper style. So, round up your mates, pop in for one (or several), and help us give this grand old pub the farewell it deserves.’
‘We couldn’t hold on any longer,’ the owners admitted.
Read more about their story.
With nearly three decades of memories, pints, and unforgettable nights, The Quiet Man has left a lasting mark on Melbourne’s pub scene. Do you think the new owners will be able to capture the same spirit, or is this truly the end of an era?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
