Young & Jacksons

Chloe’s enigmatic gaze has drawn countless eyes to Young & Jacksons. This iconic Melbourne pub, standing proudly at the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets, has a history as captivating as the nude portrait that adorns its walls. Young & Jacksons first opened its doors in 1861 as the Princes Bridge Hotel. It quickly became a popular watering hole. In 1875, two Irish cousins, Henry Figsby Young and Thomas Joshua Jackson, acquired the hotel. They renamed it Young & Jacksons, cementing their place in Melbourne’s history. The hotel we see today is actually an amalgamation of five separate buildings, the oldest dating back to 1853. These buildings were gradually combined and renovated over the years, creating the multi-level structure that stands now. Young & Jacksons isn’t just a pub. It’s a living museum. The building itself carries the weight of Melbourne’s past, a testament to the city’s growth from a small settlement to a bustling metropolis. Of course, no story of Young & Jacksons is complete without mentioning Chloe. This life-sized nude portrait, painted by Jules Joseph Lefebvre in 1875, has become synonymous with the pub. Purchased by Henry Young in 1908, Chloe caused quite the stir upon her arrival. The Presbyterian Assembly even demanded her removal from the National Gallery of Victoria after a brief exhibition. Today, she resides in her own dedicated salon upstairs at Young & Jacksons. So, next time you find yourself at Young & Jacksons, take a moment to soak it all in. Admire the Chloe painting, savor the history embedded in the walls, and imagine the countless stories this iconic Melbourne pub holds within its heart.