Open & Closed

MAJOR HOSPITALITY BET ON SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND

Posted on February 16th, 2026 by Jane Louise
A bold vote of confidence in Southeast Queensland’s night-time economy has been made as billionaire pub powerbroker Nick Politis partners with venue group Artesian Hospitality to purchase a site in Surfers Paradise. In January the partnership purchased a freehold worth

CAPTAIN COOK HOTEL RETURNS WITH COMMUNITY-FIRST MODEL

Posted on February 13th, 2026 by Jane Louise
The Captain Cook Hotel in Sydney’s Paddington was reopened this week by Bird & Bear, boasting a curated business model that specifically does not include pokies. The Captain Cook Hotel has been a part of the Paddington landscape since 1882

MAROONS’ MUNSTER MAKES MOVE WITH THE MILTON

Posted on February 4th, 2026 by Jane Louise
Cameron Munster, captain of the Queensland State of Origin Maroons, has made a move into hospitality, preparing to open a new pub in Brisbane’s well-known Caxton Street named The Milton. The Milton, expected to begin trading early March, will be

NORTHBRIDGE HOTEL CLOSED POST-McGIRR

Posted on February 2nd, 2026 by Clyde Mooney
Five years shy of a century ended last week when devotees of the Northbridge Hotel bid farewell as the property is set to be demolished to make way for a luxury residential tower. The classic red brick pub was built

CLUB ROSE BAY REOPENS WITH MERIVALE MAKEOVER

Posted on January 23rd, 2026 by Clyde Mooney
After more than 75 years of service to veterans and the community, Club Rose Bay reopened late December following a year-long makeover by hospitality heavy-hitters, Justin Hemmes’ Merivale. On December 20, 101-year-old World War II veteran John Ryrie joined Hemmes to cut

STONEWALL HOTEL TO OPEN NEW NEWTOWN OUTPOST

Posted on January 23rd, 2026 by Clyde Mooney
World-renowned Sydney LGBTQ venue the Stonewall Hotel has begun its anticipated expansion with news of a second chapter in Newtown in the works. While the exact location has yet to be revealed, its thought Stonewall Newtown will reside toward the

GUILDFORD GONE IN AN ERA LOST

Posted on January 21st, 2026 by Clyde Mooney
The future of the last pub standing in the once thriving Victorian gold rush town of Guildford is in doubt, as the Family Hotel succumbs to accumulated debt. Chinese gold mine in Guildford. Image: Wikipedia, Richard Daintree The frenetic Victorian

NEW GEN Z DAWN AT FRIDAYS

Posted on January 19th, 2026 by Clyde Mooney
Signature’s American-style Melbourne party venue (TGI) Fridays has again ushered in a new look, aiming to attract teetotaler Gen Z customers. The US institution TGI Fridays launched in Australia in 1995, in South Yarra. Imperium Group took over operations in

ALH’S IRISH FINNEGANS MAJOR REBRAND INTO THE CONDO

Posted on December 12th, 2025 by Jane Louise
After almost thirty years, Australian Leisure & Hospitality’s (ALH) Irish Finnegans in Townsville has received a multi-million-dollar renovation, including a name change and updated identity. The pub, built in 1998, is now known as The Condo Hotel, to broaden its

ARTEMUS AND FELONS’ MORE AT MANLY WHARF

Posted on December 8th, 2025 by Clyde Mooney
Felons has finalised its harbourside home at Manly Wharf, marking the milestone of its broad offering brew-pub in a three-day celebration. One of Australia’s most innovative Brewing Co’s, the opening of Felons Barrel Room and installation of its new onsite