Launch of Flying Duck Hotel
Written by Lil Williams
After recent renovations, Prahran’s Flying Duck Hotel is ready to fly again. Last Tuesday saw people from all over Melbourne gather in what was one of the first pubs in Melbourne. (Image credit above:APL Photography)
A dynamic two-piece band created an energetic but still relaxed vibe for the event, and the iconic Plucka Duck was bringing back fond memories of Hey Hey it’s Saturday while making the rounds and getting selfies with guests.
Despite the renovations and the fact that this was my first visit, The Flying Duck has a wonderful sense of familiarity about it. Walking in you can tell it’s family-owned, and you feel the history oozing out of every brick and weatherboard. As one of the owners Karen Inge says, “Nobody’s a VIP and everybody’s a friend. Food’s made with love.” Spanish head chef Javier Perez Gonzalez confirmed that when he said that even though this was called a VIP event, he didn’t recognise anyone, drawing a chuckle from the gathered crowd. The Inge family also own the Flinders Hotel and are incredibly down to earth and friendly. They floated through the crowd throughout the evening, making people feel welcome and ensuring that everyone was well taken care of. An atmosphere like this is what brings people back again and again.
The space flows fluidly from inside pub and restaurant to outside deck, with enough greenery around to make you feel like you’re among nature. Lights strung across the deck brings that summer vibe that we all associate with beer gardens and great summer nights. (Image credit above: APL Photography).
The Duck Room (below) is the perfect place to have a Christmas party, birthday or any other event where you want an intimate homey feeling. The place is styled with a careful hand and the whole hotel combines history with modern touches—and, of course, a bird motif the whole way through.
In 1868 Prahran was a working man’s suburb, full of tradespeople and later gold miners taking a load off at the end of a hard day’s work. That sense of history is still in the air as you take several winding turns and negotiate your car through what is unbelievably still a two-way street, despite how narrow it is. Formerly known as the Royal Hotel, in 1988 the name of the pub changed to The Flying Duck Hotel. A six storey apartment building was proposed last year by developers but strongly opposed by locals and, we’re glad to say, the locals won, preserving this well-loved gathering place for the community.
The Flying Duck Hotel is located at 67 Bendigo Street in Prahran and open 7 days a week. See their website for menus or to book their function room.