A new local bar is breathing new life into the historic old Trinity Hall on the corner of Brighton Road and Chapel Street in St Kilda. It is set to open in early April.
Originally Holy Trinity Church Hall, established in 1925, the building has long been a gathering place for the local community. Now, owner Matt Nikakis is carrying on its legacy with a beer garden, event space and food truck rotation.
As a third-generation hospitality veteran with two hotels under his belt, Trinity is Nikakis’ first purely food and drink-focused venture.
“My grandfather George came from Greece in 1920 and owned a café in the city,” he says.
“My father Nick dedicated his life to hospitality, later becoming president of the Australian Hotels Association for many years. Now as a third-generation publican, I take pride in my family name and the years we have spent in the hospitality industry.”
In addition to twelve tap beers, the bar menu will herald a selection of Australian wines and signature cocktails, plus an expansive range of non-alcoholic options.
Trinity’s entrance is marked by its red brick exterior, iconic arched doors and the shining silver airstream that sits in front of them. Nikakis has renovated the caravan to work as a functioning food truck, offering a considered range of burgers and bar bites. The rest of the spacious front courtyard is reserved for two additional food trucks which will alternate nightly.
The interior has undergone a full renovation including the addition of lush green booths, copper beer tanks, and a deep blue bar that spans the length of the main room. Meanwhile, the church hall’s original hardwood trusses and iconic windows have been restored to peak condition.
What was once a community performance space is now a private mezzanine with its own separate bar. Perfect for special events, the window-lined room offers uninterrupted views of Trinity’s main entrance as well as the bluestone façade of Holy Trinity Church, which sits just behind the venue on the same block.
Also at the rear is a smaller courtyard and designated kid’s play area, featuring a 1960s wooden ski boat nestled in the sand pit.
“A throwback to the old-school monk beer brews, church dances and school fetes, the design draws upon the history and community of Holy Trinity Hall and reinvents this venue for the next generation of St Kilda, Elwood and Elsternwick communities,” says Luke Ponti of BSPN, the architects and interior designers behind the redevelopment, who recently completed Melbourne CBD’s recent Covid Safe Outdoor Dining Activation.
Pet and child-friendly with a capacity of 300, Trinity is poised to become a landmark amongst Melbourne’s hospitality scene.
“It’s a venue that will make all demographics comfortable and welcome,” says Nikakis.
Opening hours
Sundays – Wednesdays 12.00pm to 11.00pm
Thursdays – Saturdays 12.00pm to 1.00am
