The iconic Fitzroy North neighbourhood pub The Pinnacle is under new management; with publican Michael Bascetta ready to add to his PAX hospitality portfolio.
Bascetta is best known for the magic that happens at Bar Liberty, Capitano and Falco, but now enters a new era with his first foray into pub life.
The Pinnacle, built in 1886 and located at the corner of St Georges Road and Taplin Street is where he has plans to serve “honest pub food”. There’ll be a smattering of cocktails, a venue glow-up and where you will be able to eat a meal and have a drink at an affordable price.
“I have been looking for a pub for the last few years and it was more a matter of timing than anything else,” explains Michael Bascetta.
“The venue came up and I jumped on it quickly. I did one walkthrough, and had an offer out within 24 hours. It all transpired from there,” he says.
“Within my role at PAX, I’m focused on all product across our clients. My main hat is focusing on PAX owned projects – The Pinnacle being the first of hopefully many. It’s early days, but it has been brilliant putting together the pub with such a strong management team and ownership base,” says Bascetta.
A venue glow-up is planned; while the mood and feel will remain – with some furniture to remaine in a nod to its neighbourhood lived-in feel.
“People that know me well know that I like nice things but I also like absolute simplicity,” says Bascetta.
“There is real beauty in focusing on how people will use the space and letting that lead you in the right direction. Keeping things low-fi generally, but having a few touchpoints that are the focus points,” he says.
“The bar is getting a little glam up, but at its core will remain unchanged. We are using a lot of the existing furniture too. This place has so much character – bumps, scratches and a little faded, but worn in and very loved. The building is 140 years old – you feel that when you are in the place and my focus is retaining that feeling,” he says.
Bascetta recalls visiting The Pinnacle way back when he first opened Bar Liberty on Johnston Street. It was dimly lit, loud and a hell of a love of fun he recalls.
While hospitality has never been easy, Bascetta is a believer – and committed to the cause of keeping the fabric of Melbourne’s food and culture identity.
“Undoubtedly the sands are shifting [in hospitality] a lot at the moment, but I also feel like I have been saying that for the last five years,” he muses.
“Things are harder, but also, I wouldn’t change what I am doing for the world. Is it a good time to invest in a pub? Maybe. I am seeing a big return to casual offerings that have a low barrier to entry. It is pretty hard to go to a nice wine bar or restaurant now and spend under $100 a person. Yes, you could do the same at a pub but you could also have a pot and a parma and be in and out for $30 or less,” he says.
Joining Michael in his first role as a publican is Scott Eddington (Arnolds, Mamasita, A1 Canteen & Automata), who will lead the kitchen, alongside Jamie McDonnell (Reed House, JK Restaurants London) as Venue Manager.
MICHAEL BASCETTA SPOKE TO THE WRITE DROP FOR OUR AT THE BAR SERIES
MY CITY
I love how you can move between suburbs and get a vastly different food experience from one pocket to another. You can have some of the best and most varied food experiences here that is largely only enjoyed by people in the know. There are endless places to go and have a cultural experience underpinned by food at its core.
FAVOURITE FOOD MEMORY
Tough question. If something local, I would have to say sitting at the bar at the Town Mouse and eating school prawns. Right at the height of that venue I think I may have visited a dozen times in a short period – everything that left that kitchen was delicious and we are lucky that Dave stayed in Melbourne and gave us Embla.
FAVOURITE BAR
Bar Bellamy for a martini then swish next door to Melitta for a lamb arrosticini.
DRINK THAT DESCRIBES YOU
I have recently taken a big step away from drinking. Whilst I still enjoy the odd drink. I have been drinking a lot of non-alc beers. Bridge Rd Free Time, Drivers and Molly Rose Sour Gose have all been rotating through my fridge.
BEST HANGOVER CURE
Undisputed champion hangover cure – bacon and HP sauce in a bap roll.
BEST INTERSTATE BAR
Bar Planet in Sydney. Martini, Popcorn, ridiculously great staff.
OVERSEAS BAR
Jones in LA. Raised bar sitting in the middle of a restaurant. Get the martini and have a yarn to the bartender and whoever else is perched at the bar. Magic place.
COCKTAILS AT THE PINNACLE
The Cocktail list is small but very well thought out. House made Elderflower Spritz on tap, Pineapple Daiquiri and the Pinnacle Martini – all focus on flavour forward drinks that are straight down the line. Wine is all-Australian by the glass and bottle with smaller, independent producers getting the lion’s share of the list.
