Changing Times

RETURN TO BIRREGURRA

Posted on January 20th, 2020 by Clyde Mooney
Just two months after its farewell party and locals fearing the taps may stay dry indefinitely, new operators have proudly swung the doors back open to Birregurra epicentre the Royal Mail Hotel. Birregurra is a farming community of 540 people,

FAREWELL 200-YEAR-OLD ROYAL OAK

Posted on January 17th, 2020 by Clyde Mooney
The old girl of Parramatta has lost the battle and will soon be demolished to make way for the light rail. A pub was established on the corner of Parramatta’s Church and Ross Streets in 1813, adjacent to Cobb &

SLY FOX LOSES BID FOR FREEDOM

Posted on January 15th, 2020 by Clyde Mooney
One of the great late-night venues of Sydney’s inner west will stop the music for the last time this Saturday as the Sly Fox loses its fight to retain 24-hour trading. As reported in November, since 1999 the Sly Fox

WILLIAM WALLACE BIDS FAREWELL

Posted on December 13th, 2019 by Clyde Mooney
After two decades manning the bar and watching Balmain transform, Gary Cowan has sold his famed William Wallace and development plans that will see it transform and literally welcome in locals. Following several years at Rozelle’s Merton Hotel, Cowan bought

THE OAKS PRESENTS ALALA’S AND TAKEAWAY INNOVATION

Posted on December 11th, 2019 by Clyde Mooney
Sydney landmark The Oaks has unveiled the final stage in the biggest remake of its history, welcoming Alala’s garden conservatory and an innovative new takeaway offering to the 133-year-old pub. In 1975 David ‘Taffy’ Thomas, son of Alala Thomas, bought

NEW MOVES AT THE STATION

Posted on November 22nd, 2019 by Clyde Mooney
Australian Venue Co has unveiled the new adjunct to its Footscray gastropub Station Hotel, adding alfresco appeal and a family flavour. AVC bought The Station in late 2014, already known as an award-winning drawcard for Melbourne foodies. A recent renovation

ST JAMES DONS NEW ROBES FOR MILESTONE BIRTHDAY

Posted on October 30th, 2019 by Clyde Mooney
Maloney Hotel Group’s hidden gem, the tri-level St James Hotel, is celebrating a makeover and its 15th year of extended trading with an extended party. Industry stalwart Kim Maloney bought the building at 114 Castlereagh Street in the early noughties,

REDCAPE’S CABRAMATTA REVEALED

Posted on October 28th, 2019 by Clyde Mooney
Redcape Hotel Group has made good on aspirational plans at its top-performing Cabramatta Hotel with a multi-million-dollar renovation and community tilt. In late 2017 RHG negotiated a deal with landlords the Bowden family for the $45 million purchase of the

KEG & BREW’S $10m REFURB AND ROOFTOP

Posted on October 4th, 2019 by Clyde Mooney
Good Beer mecca the Keg & Brew reopened yesterday after a big $10 million top-to-bottom refurbishment and expansion, including a new rooftop bar. The four-level building on the corner of Foveaux and Commonwealth streets, just up the road from Central

O’KEEFE FINDS GOLD IN NEW WESTEND

Posted on September 25th, 2019 by Clyde Mooney
Awarded hotelier Cam O’Keefe has relaunched Geelong’s iconic Eureka Hotel following an extensive makeover, ushering in the smart new Westend to the foodie precinct. Built 1850 and licensed since 1853, the Eureka is recognised as the city’s second-oldest continually licensed