At the quarterly
meeting on 19 September 1874, the licensing
magistrate for the Emerald Hill district granted a publican’s license to HW
Freer, who named his hotel Freer’s Family Hotel. This hotel was designed by
architect M Hennessy who was also responsible for the Meagher’s Family Hotel in
City Road and the Maori
Chief Hotel in Moray Street.This hotel is seen to reflect more restraint
on the architect’s part: the system of pilasters on the rendered façade is less
adorned than on his other hotels.
Bell's Hotel, 2003
Bells Hotel, 1960s
After a rapid turnover of licensees, Annie Bell took over in 1935 and it
has remained within the Bell family ever since;
the longest present-day association between any family and hotel in South Melbourne. The hotel remains
mostly intact externally, including the slate roof, chimneys and double hung
sash windows.
In 2001, Bell’s Hotel was the joint winner
(with Jokers on Ryrie Hotel, Geelong) in the ‘Best
Hotel Cellar Safety’ category of the Australian Hotel Association State Awards
for Excellence.
