The Empress Hotel closed in December 2013,[2] and reopened in its current form in early 2015.

[3] The pub was opened in 1873 by John Bourke, and named in honour of Queen Victoria, who had been proclaimed the Empress of India on 1 January 1877.

[4] Until the late 20th century, it was frequented by employees of the nearby North Fitzroy tram depot.

In the late 1980s, it became a live music venue, and played a part in the Melbourne indie rock scene through the 90s and 2000s.

In February 2015 the venue reopened with a traditional bar, a dining area and an open air beer garden.