Changing Times

ANGEL OF MALVERN LAUNCHES AMBITIOUS HOSPITALITY VISION

Posted on March 4th, 2026 by Jane Louise
Melbourne’s heritage-listed Angel of Malvern has reopened following a massive $450 million development. Luxury developer Kokoda Property purchased the hotel, then known as Angel Tavern, in 2017. They then ran the pub to get to know the locals and what

THE FAIRFIELD’S BIG COMEBACK AFTER $6M OVERHAUL

Posted on February 27th, 2026 by Jane Louise
In 2025 Townsville’s Oonoonba Hotel began an ambitious $6 million transformation, kick-starting by reverting to its original name, The Fairfield. Now the hotel has realised its aims, to the delight of both its regulars and new patrons. The 124-year-old venue

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

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

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

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

MORETON HOSPITALITY UNVEILS REVAMPED STRADDIE

Posted on December 3rd, 2025 by Jane Louise
Moreton Hospitality’s The Beach Hotel, on Stradbroke Island, has reopened its doors following a transformative and innovative renovation. The pub, known as ‘Straddie Hotel’ on socials, has renewed its focus on sustainability, community and exceptional experiences for guests, integrating the

HISTORIC RURAL HOTEL REOPENS AFTER NEARLY A DECADE

Posted on November 24th, 2025 by Jane Louise
The Cordalba Commercial Hotel, a rural pub 13 kilometres north-west of Childers, Queensland, reopened this week after almost a decade in the dark. On 22 November locals converged on the much-missed Queen Street pub to celebrate its much-needed return. Previous

BRT UNVEILS TWO WISE GUYS IN MAJOR REVAMP

Posted on November 21st, 2025 by Jane Louise
Brisbane has had its first taste of a new $10 million transformation as the doors reopen at Bracken Ridge Tavern (BRT), following the completion of stage one. Visitors can now enjoy the new Italian restaurant Two Wise Guys or the