The Murphy family has moved on from the Metro Hotel Bundaberg, passing the keys to cross-border veteran Peter Braithwaite for an undisclosed amount.
The pub began as the Adams Hotel in 1874, built and licensed by Walter Adams in the city centre of Bundaberg, on Bourbong Street. In 1879 the building was crowned with a second storey and the name changed to the Metropolitan Hotel.
For the past 18 years it has been held by John Murphy and his son Jarrod. The family has owned and operated multiple pubs across both South Australia and Queensland, most recently selling their Shearers Arms Hotel at Ormeau (Qld) to Matt Coorey and the Malouf family in 2020.
Sale of the Metro marks John’s exit from the industry. Jarrod will be enjoying an extended break before pursuing other ventures.
Under decades of the family’s tenure it has earned a reputation as a ‘local’s’ pub and enjoys strong trade across departments, comprising public bar, bistro and gaming operation with 20 (Coastal) authorities.
Braithwaite is similarly experienced across state lines, having owned and operated multiple hotels in both NSW and Queensland. Early 2025 he divested his Lucky Tree Tavern and Willow Hotel in Brisbane to Redcape, in a $50 million-plus deal.
Back in the game after a year’s reflection, he is looking to make some more of the Metro.
“It’s a great little pub with the backbone of a very well-run operation.
“We will look to add to the current offering with some subtle renovations across the bar and bistro, a gaming reconfiguration and activating the accommodation for short-term stays.”
Ringing in the bell for 2026, sale of the Metro is due to complete later this year.
Attracting an interstate publican, the off-market transaction was managed by HTL Property’s Glenn Price, who also handled sale of the Shearers Arms.
“The national traditional Hotel market enjoyed an extremely buoyant 2025 in terms of both operational trade and sales across the sector with NSW and Queensland driving the majority of transactions,” notes Price.
“In totality, the national pub sector has again generated well over $2bn in successful sales in 2025, and with no indication of slowing down as we transition into 2026.”
