NO MORE SHENANIGANS AT NEW-STYLE IMPERIAL

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

ROCKPOOL OPENS BAVARIAN MAITLAND AND WOLLONGONG

Rockpool continues its quest to bring Bavarian good-times to Australians, opening another two of the beer-based venues this week. On Wednesday, 29 May, The Bavarian Stockland Green Hills Shopping Centre in east Maitland threw open its doors, offering up the

IRELAND’S FIRST ALCOHOL-FREE PUB – THE VIRGIN MARY

Two drinks industry colleagues have teamed up to bring the land of Guinness and whisky its very first no-alcohol pub. The Virgin Mary opened this month in Dublin, becoming Ireland’s first ‘dry’ public house in a city with 750 traditional

BAY HOTEL CLOSES UNDER FINANCIAL CLOUD

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

THE BIMBO IS BACK

CLG’s Fitzroy favourite Bimbo is back, serving $4 pizzas and local art, after being seriously scorched last year. In May 2018 news emerged that the Melbourne institution known as Bimbo Deluxe suffered a serious blaze, predominantly on the first floor,

SEAMUS O’TOOLE BIDS FAREWELL

Beloved east Melbourne local Seamus O'Toole Irish Pub is closing next week, having failed to reach an agreement with landlords, the Knox Ozone precinct. The bawdy Seamus O'Toole, fondly known as ‘The Irish’, opened in the centre in 2002. It

SLY FOX REOPENS WITH SLY NEW OUTLOOK

Publican Brett Strauss has teamed up with nightclub gurus Kerry Wallace and Benjamin Lepke to reinvent inner-west late-night stomping ground the Sly Fox. Located on the corner of Enmore and Edgeware Roads in Sydney’s inner west, the Fox has been

PARRAS UNVEILS AMBARVALE ‘SUPERPUB’

Culminating years of planning and a massive makeover, Colin Parras has unveiled his Ambarvale “superpub” and micro-brewery. Parras purchased the large-format Ambarvale Hotel on 7,200sqm in the thriving Campbelltown LGA from the exiting Lantern Group in late 2016 for $21.2

NEW BEGINNINGS FOR TAVERN OF KINGS

Jason Marlow’s Group launches its shiny new Sports Bar at the Kings Park Tavern, being stage one of sweeping changes to further patron experience in entertainment and food & bev. The Kings Park Tavern occupies a spacious block on a

ALH FORCED TO RESUME AND REOPEN THE ARCHER

Three years after on-selling the leasehold interest, Australia’s biggest pub group ALH has resumed control and re-opened The Archer in North Adelaide. Australian Leisure & Hospitality (ALH) sold the business to Bloody Mary Group’s Huntsman Hotel P/L in 2016. The