Amidst the urban backdrop and the hum of city life on Queensberry Street stands a local gem; an indispensable part of North Melbourne’s community for over 100 years.

There has been a pub on the site of Bobbie Peels since 1910. Over the decades it’s been known as Sir Robert Peel Hotel, the Keepers Arms and The Crimean. 

In its current incarnation as Bobbie Peels, the renovated heritage pub offers delectable dishes, an elegant bar and an independent wine and beer list, all intertwined with the warmth of friendship and nostalgia.

Phil Gijsbers and his long-time friend and business partner Neil Mills have been at the helm of Bobbie Peels since 2022. 

“Owning a pub is my childhood dream. In fact, I wanted to start THIS pub - the kind of place that was all about beautiful wine, nice independent beers and spirits, paired with gorgeous food. I wanted it to be dark and comfortable and with good hospitality.”

Every facet of the pub shines with Phil’s vision, thanks to his extensive hospitality, wine and beer experience and passion for bringing people together. 

It starts with an upscale pub menu paying tribute to local flavours and ingredients, where every dish from the chef Tim Clarke is a work of art. 

“Because our kitchen is so small, we specialise in European influenced gastropub or bistro style food with a focus on stocks and sauces. Some of our stocks take seven days to make, because we’re spending the time reducing and enhancing the flavours. 

“We also slow cook a lot of our dishes, such as our signature slow braised Gippsland lamb shoulder.” 

Phil is also passionate about Bobbie Peels’ wine collection. 

“We keep rare and old wines dating back from 1970 in our cellar. On the wine wall in the main dining room, so many of the wines have a story. I’ve met the winemakers; I pick up the wines from the wineries myself. Our wine list is highly curated and people in the know come to us for that. 

“We’re also hoping to hold more wine education evenings and cellar door events in our upstairs function space in future.”

While Phil owns many hospitality businesses across Melbourne, Bobbie Peels is especially close to his heart. 

“I really love pubs because they can offer something to everyone, whatever their circumstances. We can be an everyday local for an after-work glass of wine, or a place for anniversaries or first dates. We can be a place of comfort, or of celebration. And we can be all those things equally in people’s lives.”

Words by Joyce Watts & Photography by Anna EncIO