Soho reopens after arson attack with focus on future

Long-standing Southbank venue Soho Restaurant and Bar has reopened its doors, marking a welcome return for one of Riverside Quay’s established dining and nightlife destinations after a difficult two-month closure.

The venue reopened on Friday, June 6, just in time for the King’s Birthday long weekend, following an arson attack in April that forced the business to temporarily shut.

While the incident had a major impact on the Soho team, the venue says it is now focused on moving forward, welcoming back regulars, local workers, residents and visitors, and re-establishing its place in Southbank’s hospitality scene.

The alleged attack occurred about 4.20am on April 17, when two teenagers are alleged to have started a fire at the licensed premises while it was closed. Police allege the pair fled in a silver Nissan Patrol while brandishing machetes before officers followed the vehicle to Balwyn, where Critical Incident Response Team officers arrested them.

But for Soho, the story of its reopening is not one centred on the attack itself. Instead, the venue is framing the moment as one of resilience, recovery and a new chapter.

The temporary closure was felt strongly by the business, which has long operated as an all-day and late-night venue for Southbank, catering to everything from corporate lunches and after-work drinks to functions, dinners, celebrations and weekend nightlife.

Speaking to Southbank News last month, the Soho team said the reopening meant more than simply trading again. It represents the return of the venue’s central role as a place where people gather, connect and celebrate.

During the closure, Soho said it received messages of support from regular customers, past guests, neighbours and people with upcoming bookings, with many reaching out simply to check in on the business and its staff.

That support has reinforced the venue’s attachment to the local community and highlighted the role hospitality businesses play in the life of Southbank.

Soho has built its identity around the natural shift from day to night. A long lunch can turn into evening drinks, while the venue’s weekend atmosphere has become part of its appeal for those seeking a lively but polished Southbank experience.

As guests return, the aim is to restore that sense of occasion and create a space where people can switch off, reconnect and enjoy themselves.

The reopening also comes with a refreshed program of weekly offers designed to encourage people back throughout the week.

The venue has introduced its Soho Signature Specials, including $35 Pasta and Wine Mondays, $38 Steak Night Tuesdays, $35 Pizza and Wine Wednesdays, Happy Hour from Monday to Friday between 3pm and 7pm, and $38 Porchetta Sundays.

The specials have been developed with the venue’s head chef to balance value and quality, giving guests more reasons to return at a time when many diners are more mindful of discretionary spending.

Soho has also recently expanded its daytime offering with Friday breakfast service from 8am to 11.30am, adding to its existing Saturday and Sunday breakfast trade.

The move is intended to better serve Southbank’s mix of residents, office workers and visitors, particularly in a part of the precinct where quality daytime options can be limited.

By opening earlier on Fridays, Soho is positioning itself as a venue that can be used throughout the day, from morning coffee and breakfast through to lunch, drinks, dinner and late-night experiences.

To mark the reopening weekend, Soho hosted Let’s Vibe on Sunday, June 7 from 4pm, with DJs from 6pm playing R’n’B, Afrobeats and feel-good sounds.

The event is designed to bring back the energy and atmosphere that many regulars associate with the venue, with a focus on dancing, affinity and a vibrant late-night crowd.

After a challenging period, Soho’s return is a positive sign for Southbank’s hospitality scene and a reminder of the resilience of local businesses. Its reopening brings activity back to Riverside Quay and Southbank Promenade, and offers a fresh start for a venue determined to look ahead. •