Step out of iso and into the Elephant.
As the nights get longer and warmer (finally), and the possibility of travel is finally back on the table, there are few ways we’d rather spend our evenings than drink in hand at a classic Geelong pub. More so when you can sit down to dine with the likes of James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Raquel Welch and even the Queen gazing down at you.
That’s right, we’re talking about the well-loved Elephant and Castle.
Owned by Geelong’s infamous Darryn Lyons, the last few months have truly made us appreciate the quirky, yet classic interior, the endless roster of live entertainment, the welcoming patrons and the generous pub feeds.
Keep up with the latest food and booze news via our website.
Thankfully the Elephant are back, and are heading into 2021 full steam ahead with an abundance of live music planned every Saturday and Sunday for devoted locals and tourists alike. Perfectly timed as we step out of the brief lockdown, the hotel has organised an insane doubleheader for this Saturday night, with Totally 80s DJ set in the main bar, and local favourites Andy Forster and Luke Biscan out in the stunning beer garden. Both acts will kick off at 9:30pm, so all you need to do is make sure you’re fed and ready to dance (or drink) the night away.
If a Sunday sesh is more your liking, they’ll have you taken care of with The Leajets on Sunday (February 21) who will deliver a charming afternoon of blues, soul and rock/pop.
After a whole year, Glitter Gang will finally be returning to the Elephant & Castle Hotel the following Saturday, promising to be an absolute belter of a show, while Digby Avenue will be covering all your classic favourites on the Sunday.
We’ve also got word that Geelong’s favourite party band Wooshka will be making a very special and anticipated performance in March, so keep your eyes peeled for that.
Alongside the music, The Elephant have also introduced a brand-new menu, and brought back their weekly pub specials, pleasing a whole lot of foodies in the region.
Steak night is back on Tuesdays and Wednesdays which gets you an eye fillet or a scotch fillet with chips and salad for $28; Grandma’s Sunday Roast ‘with all the trimmings’ for $27; and $20 pot and parmis on Thursday nights for anyone taking part in their Jackpot Trivia.
Looking to the menu, expect an elevated pub feed with their brilliant new selection of inspired dishes which take advantage of the fresh and quality produce of the region. Starters include the likes of chargrilled chorizo, pistachio-crusted lamb cutlets, battered cauliflower and a selection of fresh oysters.
For more hearty dishes you’ll still find all the classics (parmis, fish and chips, salt and pepper calamari and beef, cheese and bacon burger), but we recommend trying out their range of signature dishes. There’s a maple glazed pork cutlet, house made gnocchi, Portarlington mussels and lemon risotto, orange marmalade roasted duck and chargrilled snapper. There’s even Moroccan grilled eggplant and an option of a seafood tower for two. They’ve even upped their steak game, serving eye fillet, scotch fillet or a rib eye with corn puree, chargrilled broccolini and lemon-infused kipler potatoes with your choice of sauce. Yum!
Damn, they’ve truly stepped it up… and we haven’t even got to the desserts yet. If you’re a sweet tooth, we recommend indulging in the Vanilla bean crème Brulee or the lemon curd tart.
So whatever your reason, get down to the Elephant and Castle Hotel to view an amazing array of photography, enjoy some fine food, dance to some ripper bands and have a drink at the bar.
The Elephant and Castle is located at 158 McKillop St, East Geelong. Walk-ins are welcomed but bookings are recommended. Visit the website for more information.
