Changing Times

ALH GET SAVVY ON SUNSHINE COAST

Posted on August 28th, 2019 by Clyde Mooney
ALH has rebranded its former Wharf Tavern as the latest James Squire pub instalment, dubbed the Savvy Squire. Catering to Queensland’s growing love of craft beer, reported by IRI data as seeing 14.1 per cent value growth in FY19, Lion’s

THE KURRAJONG HAS RETURNED

Posted on August 12th, 2019 by Clyde Mooney
Erskineville’s historic Kurrajong Hotel – aka the Swanson – has returned with a new lease on life after some serious renovation. Built in the 1930s, the big, multi-storey corner pub is one of Sydney’s Art Deco classics, replete with ornate

AUS. VENUE CO. UNVEILS NEW SMITH ST SOCIAL

Posted on July 19th, 2019 by Clyde Mooney
Australian Venue Company (AVC) has pounced on another new venue, remodelling and rebranding the retired Rorkes to become the sophisticated, all-occasion Smith St Social.  AVC continues its strategic acquisitions, eyeing long-term prospects for the growing portfolio, backed by New York-based

THE BRUNNY IS TRULY NO MORE

Posted on July 12th, 2019 by Clyde Mooney
On what would have been its tenth birthday, Melbourne live music doyen the Brunswick Hotel has announced it will never reopen. In the early hours of a Thursday, 22 March 2018, a car collided with and sheared off a fire

NEW ERA FOR OLD FITZ

Posted on July 8th, 2019 by Clyde Mooney
Tonight sees curtains up for Jaime Wirth and partners’ reincarnation of Woolloomooloo’s famous Old Fitzroy Hotel, with selected new complementing the polished act.  For the past few years, since selling his Drink n’ Dine portfolio, Wirth has joined with Michael

BOTANICA TO CLOSE THIS MONTH

Posted on June 24th, 2019 by Clyde Mooney
Popular Perth pub the Botanica Bar & Bistro joins the ranks of venues closing, confirming it will cease trade at the end of the month. Earlier this month news emerged Nick Duncan was closing the doors at Perth’s Broken Hill

MAHONY GROUP REVIVE OXFORD SCHOLAR

Posted on June 14th, 2019 by Clyde Mooney
Melbourne’s hallowed Oxford Scholar Hotel has returned after two years in the wilderness, under a new lease by the growing Mahony Group. Built 1857, the Oxford Scholar is on land owned by RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology), on the

BROKEN HILL GOES UNDER

Posted on June 5th, 2019 by Clyde Mooney
Perth sees another majestic “old girl” gone, with Nick Duncan closing the doors of labour-of-love the Broken Hill Hotel. Duncan began ownership in the pub’s operation in 2003 as a silent partner, taking over a “run down old bikie pub”

NO MORE SHENANIGANS AT NEW-STYLE IMPERIAL

Posted on May 31st, 2019 by Clyde Mooney
The still young Imperial Hospitality Group has unveiled its rebranded Imperial Hotel, formerly known as Shenanigans, bringing a locals’ feel to a classic Maitland landmark. In early 2017 brothers Sean and Clayton Barrett and three close mates took the plunge

BAY HOTEL CLOSES UNDER FINANCIAL CLOUD

Posted on May 29th, 2019 by Clyde Mooney
The Bay Hotel Mordialloc has closed, with the landlord changing the locks and staff and creditors reportedly owed thousands. Mid-2018 publican Andre Chaaya listed the freehold of his south Melbourne pub, hoping to unlock some capital and invest further in