About Us
THE SKY’S THE LIMIT AT MURPHYS
In February 2016, the then Gin & Co Bar gained new ownership & without delay was reclaimed back to the iconic Irish pub it once was – taking the better part of the next two years to restore it back to its full former glory.
The boys reinvigorated the venue, dragging it into the 21st century, by adding not only its Rooftop Bar & Skygarden but a modern flavour, lively new social space & some of the most unique views of Geelong, its waterfront & beyond.
With their shared visions coming to life it was time for a rebrand to reflect what the pub now was. The boys weren’t part of the original Irish Murphys franchise, yet still preserved much of its culture, customs & familiar faces. They kept it close to home, and Murphys was born. With the name meaning ‘Sea Warrior’, they saw fit the anchor logo & so began their own chapter in the history books.
OVER THREE LEVELS & FOUR DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT AREAS, THERE REALLY IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE & EVERY OCCASION.
DOWNSTAIRS
As you arrive you’ll find our FRONT BAR to your right. It’s welcoming, cozy, comfortable & provides a friendly atmosphere that resembles that of a classic Irish pub. Here we are all about cheering on our favourite sports teams, tuning into local live music, challenging trivia quizzes, pub food, happy hours, banter with our regulars & pouring the tastiest Guinness & Kilkenny in town. There’s bar tables, barrels & stools plus a private booth area with a big screen at each end. When Friday & Saturday nights tick over, the lights dim, the volumes maxed & the bar livens up for our favourite local musicians. Walk-ins are always welcome, pull up a seat at the bar, say hi to our staff & get to know your new local.
If you’re after something a little more laid-back, our RESTAURANT dining area over to the left is charming, quaint & relaxed most days of the week. Here you can sit back, relax & let our restaurant staff look after you. We can cater for lunch & dinner for up to 80 people, from an extensive menu that includes pub favourites, Irish classics, kids & options for all dietary requirements. The space can be converted to suit exclusive or semi-private cocktail events too – making it the perfect place to hold all your family celebrations.
Downstairs has full wheelchair accessibility, two bars & all other amenities you’ll need.
UPSTAIRS
Head straight up the staircase to uncover our vibrant ROOFTOP cocktail bar. Fully encased with large glass windows, retractable roof & industrial heating or cooling, we’re sitting pretty no matter the forecast.
Grab one of our funky cocktails or ever-changing craft beers & spend your afternoon marveling over the unprecedented view of our beautiful city, bay & beyond. Decked out with bar tables, stools & barrels that you can book for lunch, dinner or just drinks.
Our Rooftop is renowned for its functions. There’s nothing we love more than a good celebration & believe everyone should be able to experience it, but we also know how stressful & costly they can become… Luckily we’re serious when we say there’s something for everyone, including functions, with a space for any occasion & budget.
Wander up a little further to reach the third-level outdoor SKYGARDEN. Peaceful & serene, this hidden gem up in the clouds has been recently refurbished with three undercover booth tables & benches, heating & of course, a big screen. Or, perch yourself by the window, soak up some sunshine & gaze over the 260° panoramic views.
Our History
THE SKY’S THE LIMIT AT MURPHYS
Murphys was one of Geelong’s very first establishments, built during the post gold rush back in 1855, as The Argyle Hotel. It became a central meeting place for Geelong communities, often to discuss pressing matters, some of which lead to the formation of the Borough of Newtown & Chilwell and Thompson’s separation from Geelong. Where the label of ‘the original meeting place’ first came about.
On July 18th 1859, history was made when the Geelong Football Club formed during their first board meeting. This made The Cats the second oldest club in the AFL, after Melbourne.
The clubs first match took place on The Argyle Square (now Murphys car park) in 1860 against Melbourne. The game finished as a scoreless draw. Geelong played most of its early home games here up until 1881, when the club was evicted by the grounds owner, Silas Harding, who ploughed up the paddock & cut down the goal posts after receiving a bill for unpaid rates the club had forgotten to pay. From there, the club moved to East Geelong to a site known as Corio Oval.
The Irish Murphys franchise, which currently still operates in Ballarat, Hobart & Brisbane was born in 1995 by Tasmanian man Ralph Norton, after travelling Europe with his family they found Ireland to be their favourite place and the dream began to bring the warm intimacy of an Irish pub back home to Australia. His biggest belief was that pokie machines and the like are why hotels lost their identity of being social gathering places. Irish Murphys was a place to have a pint and talk. And still is.
The current owners bought Irish Murphys back to life in February 2016, from the Gin Bar it was at the time. They then stepped away from the franchise and made it theirs by rebranding to MURPHYS – an Irish name meaning sea warrior.
Through our Front Bar & Restaurant you’ll see some great Irish memorabilia covering the walls & we still honour & regularly add to the 100 Pint Club.
We pride ourselves on being a venue that has something for everyone. Come and see why!
We Do
Functions
Whether it’s hosting an intimate dinner or business lunch, celebrating a milestone event or simply enjoying drinks with good friends & spectacular views – Murphys Geelong has you covered!
