Imperial Hotel has an unconventional and colorful history. Originally known as Nobel�s Circus in 1852, the building housed equestrian shows, promenade concerts and lively dances. It was renamed in 1856 Salle de Valentino becoming a permanent theatre site. In 1858 the Levi brothers re-modeled the ground floor into a retail site incorporating the building into a shopping strip.

It wasn�t until 1863 that the building became known as Richardson�s Imperial Hotel, and received only the third liquor license ever to be granted in Melbourne. The Imperial remains one of Melbourne�s classic Aussie pubs and visitors today still walk through the original Australian red cedar doors dating back to 1858.