Open & Closed

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

STONEWALL HOTEL TO OPEN NEW NEWTOWN OUTPOST

Posted on January 23rd, 2026 by Clyde Mooney
World-renowned Sydney LGBTQ venue the Stonewall Hotel has begun its anticipated expansion with news of a second chapter in Newtown in the works. While the exact location has yet to be revealed, its thought Stonewall Newtown will reside toward the

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

NEW GEN Z DAWN AT FRIDAYS

Posted on January 19th, 2026 by Clyde Mooney
Signature’s American-style Melbourne party venue (TGI) Fridays has again ushered in a new look, aiming to attract teetotaler Gen Z customers. The US institution TGI Fridays launched in Australia in 1995, in South Yarra. Imperium Group took over operations in

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

ARTEMUS AND FELONS’ MORE AT MANLY WHARF

Posted on December 8th, 2025 by Clyde Mooney
Felons has finalised its harbourside home at Manly Wharf, marking the milestone of its broad offering brew-pub in a three-day celebration. One of Australia’s most innovative Brewing Co’s, the opening of Felons Barrel Room and installation of its new onsite

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