This story was originally published on 5 February 2025. Star Weekly is sharing it again for you to enjoy.
Often referred to as “Melbourne’s last old school pub”, the Footscray Hotel has long provided help to those in need, offering cheap food and drinks, accommodation and even employment to the disadvantaged and disabled.
But now the 154-year-old pub on Hopkins Street is in need of a helping hand itself in order to survive.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to pay for urgently needed plumbing and roofing repairs which those running the pub can’t afford, but which they can’t afford to do without.
“A piece of the roof has already fallen in the men’s toilet where it’s been leaking” said manager Sharon Kanna of the source of the problem.
“We’ve already had to block off the main entry to men’s toilet so now they have to go out the back through the back entrance.”
Unless the roof leak and toilets are repaired, the pub could be forced to close down, something that could mean more than just the end of longstanding Footscray watering hole.
“We’ve got people who live upstairs who were having a hard time,“ said Ms Kanna of the emergency accommodation the pub provides along with other forms of assistance to locals in need.
“Even now we have free food on our bench for customers who are finding it a bit hard and we try to sort of help the community as much as we can.“
Unfortunately, it’s that same generosity that has turned the pub’s leaking roof into an existential threat.
“We’re making enough to keep going but to not fix things and I don’t want to put up our prices,“ said Ms Kanna.
Now one of those who’s benefited from the Footscray Hotel’s cheap prices has stepped up to try and help.
Local comedian Trent Mahon has run open-mic comedy nights at the venue for nearly three years, providing young stand-ups with the opportunity to hone their craft and punters the increasingly rare chance to have a pint of beer for under $10.
It was his idea to launch the GoFundMe page to try and cover the estimated $20,000 cost of the repairs.
‘The Footscray Hotel is so much more than a pub – it’s a pillar of our community,” said Mr Mahon in a statement on the GoFundMe page.
“This old-school gem has been a lifeline for struggling locals, offering affordable accommodation and even basic groceries for those in need. It’s a rare place where people can connect, share stories, and feel supported – all while enjoying some of the cheapest drinks in Melbourne.”
More than $3000 has so far been raised from 60 donations, though Ms Kanna said there was no set deadline for the fundraiser or the repairs.
“There’s no cut off date, we’re just trying to get the funds together to do it,” she said.
Ms Kanna has run the Footscray Hotel for 15 years and has seen off many threats to its existence, including an attempt by property developers to buy the building in 2017.
“Yeah but we refused to sell,” she chuckled with the confidence of someone ready to beat the odds again.
“This pub’s been here since 1871 and we’d like it to stay for a few more years yet.”
To donate, visit: https://gofund.me/9ede2908
