Open & Closed

MITCH HOTEL: A NEW LOCAL FOR THE INNER WEST

Posted on April 19th, 2024 by Clyde Mooney
The Mitch Hotel has come to life in Alexandria heartland, as new owners Brett and Clare Davis reinvent the space into a serious good-time local. Balaclava Hotel c.1949 Originally the Balaclava Hotel, opening in 1920, the site at 50 Mitchell

UNIVERSAL LIFTS THE TEMPO IN TEMPE

Posted on April 12th, 2024 by Clyde Mooney
The Kospetas family’s Universal Hotels has consolidated its broadened appeal with a multi-million-dollar renovation of suburban landmark the Tempe Hotel. A hotel was first established on the Princes Highway site in 1856, and the current two-storey brick building was constructed

LANSDOWNE LOOKING UP WITH HAPPY MEXICAN

Posted on April 10th, 2024 by Clyde Mooney
Sydney’s iconic Lansdowne Hotel returns, reviving its dedication to entertainment alongside a ‘fiesta of flavours’ by Melbourne outfit the Happy Mexican. Located on the corner of arterial drags Broadway and City Road, the Lansdowne has long been known as an

HALL AND REILLY UNVEIL NEW-LOOK LOCAL FOR BALMAIN

Posted on April 8th, 2024 by Clyde Mooney
Tommy Hall, in partnership with Irish icon Ray Reilly, has reopened the group’s vision for The Cricketers Balmain, welcoming the return of a ‘proper local’ to the precinct. The Cricketer’s Arms was established in 1872 and for many years served as

FORMER SOLOTEL PROJECT REIMAGINED BY GASTROPUB PIONEER

Posted on April 8th, 2024 by Clyde Mooney
South Bank’s latest Gastropub, The Rose & Crown, opened its doors to a hungry Brisbane populace at the end of February. The historic two-level Queenslander dates back to 1889 and has been a residence, police station, squatters’ den and most

REPUBLIC WELCOMES GUESTS TO THE INNA

Posted on March 25th, 2024 by Clyde Mooney
Burgeoning pub powerhouse Virtical has begun its transformation of the stalwart Republic Hotel in the Sydney CBD, ushering in a new level of sophistication in the opening of the on-trend INNA Lounge.   Originally a single-storey pub, the Republic has

ANOTHER ICON CLOSES IN THE WAKE OF ECONOMIC HARDSHIP

Posted on March 22nd, 2024 by Jane Louise
Another Melbourne venue is set to close this month despite unwavering support from locals. Iconic music venue the Bendigo Hotel, also known as ‘The Bendi’, has been at the heart of Melbourne’s metal scene for the last 14 years, hosting

SYDNEY’S FIRST SUSTAINABLE BAR FINDS NEW HOME

Posted on March 15th, 2024 by Jane Louise
A new collaboration has ensured one-of-a-kind Sydney venue Re will continue its pioneering efforts in sustainability. Re, which was established in 2021 in South Eveleigh, Sydney, announced its closure in February this year. Re is known for its strong commitment

TINY PUB PACKS A PUNCH

Posted on March 11th, 2024 by Jane Louise
Sydney’s Inner West can now boast having one of the smallest stand-alone sports pubs in Australia. Sandwiched between Russo & Russo and the Trocadero Room on Enmore Road, Enmore, sits The Magpie, a tiny sports pub seating around 30 people.

FUNLAB BRINGS ‘HIJINX’ AND HOLEY MOLEY TO THE ACT

Posted on February 23rd, 2024 by Jane Louise
Funlab brands Holey Moley and Hijinx Hotel are at it again, this time opening in the Canberra Centre, Canberra, on 5 April. These brands are designed to be more than a typical pub or restaurant. The two venues will employ