The Esplanade Hotel or 'the Espy' perched just above the St. Kilda foreshore is one of the grand old dames of Melbourne with a history stretching back to 1878 when it was built as a swish hotel for the rich in what then was the swanky St. Kilda, playground of the well-heeled. Incredibly, even legendary American author Mark Twain stayed there on his Australian trip in the 1880's, as well as American film star Sarah Bernhard in the 1920's.

The Esplanade has a fascinating history of multiple additions during its life, from a large dining room which became a ballroom and even a 70's disco with a flashing light dancefloor until it became the famous Gershwin band room, as well as two other music stages.

With multiple owners including more dubious ones from the 1980's to the 2010's, some of whom tried to demolish the Esplanade Hotel and replace it with apartments. Which was met with a huge public backlash that successfully stopped its demolition, although some of it was sadly redeveloped as apartments and a drive through bottle shop in the 80's.