Balmain Pub Group has announced the re-opening and “complete change” of its newly acquired Town Hall Hotel.
Following the $7 million purchase of the prominent corner pub in February, Balmain Pub Group (BPG) owners Nick Wills and Warren Livingstone had their wives in mind when they took an axe to the moody space.
“We wanted to completely change it from what it was,” explains Livingstone.
“We wanted to make it a bright, sunny open venue, which would be attractive during the day as well as night, and we wanted to have a completely different vibe to every pub in Balmain.”
One of the city-fringe suburb’s best-known and taken-for-granted watering holes, BPG sought to modernise the venue, hoping to attract “a different – and more diverse” crowd, including more “females, foodies and families”.
In the resulting ‘Cool Britannia’ renovation both the street level and upstairs have been overhauled, melding old and new, laid back and refined. The historic ground floor island bar remains, joined by big screens and a pool table.
Upstairs features the voyeuristic “tree house” balcony, bursting with lush planters, cane furniture and vivid colours, with a cosy open fireplace inside for cooler times. This area caters to cocktails and intimate get-togethers – removed from and above the chaos of Darling Street.
The new menus have been created by Group stalwart and former AHA Chef of the Year, executive chef Brad Sloane, aiming for a mix of classic pub and a higher-end restaurant. Highlights include seared tuna salad with green beans and chick peas, lamb cutlets and fish tacos.
And still to come, BPG has hinted a rooftop bar – with views of the city – is in the works.
