The George Hotel occupies a corner block on Cecil Street directly opposite South Melbourne Market, and has operated as a hotel since 1865, making it one of the suburb's longer-running pubs. Publican Scott Connolly, who also runs the Orrong Hotel and Healesville Hotel, took over the venue in October 2024 and closed it for a months-long refit before reopening in June 2025. The redesign kept the building's heritage bones intact while adding tartan carpet, vintage football photography and fire-truck-red steel pipework, alongside a bistro dining room with a working fireplace and a courtyard fitted out with retro beach umbrellas. Chef Steve Svenson, previously of Moby and Lenny, runs a kitchen that pairs Asian-inflected dishes such as barramundi in jungle curry and chicken bao with pub standards including a bone-in parma, beer-battered fish and chips, and a twelve-hour roasted lamb shoulder. The bar pours Peroni, Bodriggy and Young Henrys on tap alongside a curated wine list and a cocktail menu built around spritzes and espresso martinis. Weekly fixtures include a Tuesday trivia, tacos and tequila night, a Wednesday parma-and-pot special, Thursday steak night with a meat raffle supporting junior sports clubs, and an all-day Sunday roast. Upstairs, a private function room accommodates gatherings of up to 350 guests.