Just Open: The Auburn Hotel, Hawthorn East

After 28 years, Hawthorn's Geebung Polo Club is no more. It has returned to its previous name, The Auburn Hotel, and the emphasis has shifted from 1990s yuppie hangout, then brew-pub, to its latest incarnation, family-friendly local hotel.

The Open Door Pub Group, whose stable of venues includes The Great Britain in Richmond, The Imperial in South Yarra and The Duke in the CBD – has given the 1888 pub a significant renovation, transforming the band room into the Wine Room tailored with brown leather banquettes and Thonet dark wood chairs.

The beer garden has doubled in size, stretching out over the former car park with Astroturf, picnic benches and tables.

Even the menu has had a redesign, overseen by the group's executive chef, Justin Wise. Smaller dishes include cobia ceviche with avocado, coriander and mint, and sticky lamb ribs with barbecue sauce.

Classic pub food includes fish and chips, chicken parma and burgers, and a grill section with whole baby snapper and Flinders Island lamb skewers. The $59-a-head Feed Me option offers three courses to share for a minimum of two people.

Open daily from noon.

85 Auburn Road, Hawthorn East, 03 9810 0032, theauburnhotel.com.au