Situated two hours south-east of Melbourne and around 20 minutes from both Phillip Island and Inverloch, is the tiny village of Archies Creek, with its trail-blazing hotel.
Country pub Archies Creek Hotel is not merely surviving, it is responsible for putting the regional town on the map.
Bought six years ago by venue veterans Peter Foley and Mary Howlett, who are known best for the Caravan Music Club, the hotel became so popular that it was voted Regional Victoria’s Best Venue by Music Victoria in both 2022 and 2023.
The couple moved to Archies Creek for a tree change, buying and redecorating the pub to give it the best of both city and country vibes, with a focus on being a community hub.
Now a key meeting place for locals, the venue punches well above its weight in music acts, drawing Australian and international performers keen for something out of the ordinary.
Aside from live music, Archies Creek Hotel boasts a movie night, spoken word and poetry events, choral singing, life drawing classes, second hand clothing markets as well as comedy and quiz nights, with its arts program led by RRR radio presenter and local Jon von Goes.
It offers space for events such as rehearsal camps and songwriter retreats, an outdoor stage for larger events, an outdoor wood fired pizza oven and a revamped kitchen, and boasts four hotel rooms.
Still, the hotel, like so many, has struggled to balance the books in the face of rising costs. Its annual insurance costs $45K alone.
But instead of going to the government for assistance, Foley and Howlett decided to try out a ‘community subscription model’, which they believe is a more effective way to generate funds.
The hotel put the call out to their 18K subscribers for a $30 annual membership fee, offering priority ticket access and other member discounts.
The call out was a success, with over one thousand people immediately signing up.
Foley believes this model could help other pubs in a similar situation.
“I actually think it’s a viable model for sustaining a venue, if younger people really took possession of it,” Foley told the ABC.
Now reaching retirement age, the couple are on the lookout for a bar and kitchen manager or even a new owner for their beloved venue, to take over the “hospo grind” while keeping the community-focused venue alive.
