Changing Times

SOLOTEL TURNS IT AROUND WITH THE WOODSTOCK

Posted on August 4th, 2025 by Jane Louise
A multi-million-dollar transformation in Sydney’s northwest is set to become the go-to hospitality destination when Rooty Hill’s Carousel Inn is relaunched as The Woodstock later this year. The twenty-fifth venue to be purchased by the Solotel Group, it was acquired

RED LION RETURNS WITH A ROAR

Posted on July 30th, 2025 by Jane Louise
Kilmore’s Red Lion Hotel was put firmly back on the map when it reopened on Monday. The 169-year-old pub in Victoria’s oldest inland town was once owned by drug boss Tony Mokbel, who purchased it in 1996 for $465K. It

ALH’S IMPERIAL HOTEL TO PERMANENTLY CLOSE

Posted on July 4th, 2025 by Jane Louise
Australian Leisure and Hospitality’s Imperial Hotel, in south-east Queensland, will permanently close this September in favour of a railway upgrade, ahead of the 2032 Olympic games. Located in Beenleigh, 35 kilometres south of Brisbane, the two-level Imperial resides on a

UNDERWOOD LOCAL UNVEILS EXTENSIVE REVAMP

Posted on July 2nd, 2025 by Jane Louise
Australian Venue Co has recently reopened Queensland’s Hotel HQ after extensive renovations. The much-loved Underwoood local has had every space redesigned, to enhance the comfort and experience of both its regulars and newcomers alike. The pub now boasts a spacious

WAUGH GOES THE FULL MONTAGUE

Posted on June 30th, 2025 by Clyde Mooney
Mitchell Waugh’s Public House Management Group (PHMG) has announced the opening of Montague Hotel, in the heart of Marrickville, promising the charm of a modern local with the energy of a late-night lounge. Set to begin trading in July, ‘The

BURDEKIN ICON REOPENS TO AYR

Posted on June 23rd, 2025 by Clyde Mooney
Ayr’s landmark Queens Hotel has reopened its doors following an extensive renovation, reigniting community passion for the storied venue. Postcard from 1910 Positioned prominently at the corner of Queen and Edwards Streets, the Queens Hotel is the city’s oldest hotel

ALH KEEP MILLENNIALS IN MIND WITH TWO REFRESHED PUBS

Posted on June 20th, 2025 by Jane Louise
Pub giant Australian Leisure & Hospitality (ALH) has revamped two of its east coast pubs to better cater to a wider millennial crowd. Cherry Hill Hotel, located in Victoria’s Doncaster East, received a $1.7 million revamp. This included a timeless

CRAFTY SQUIRE RECREATED BACK TO HICKENS

Posted on June 16th, 2025 by Clyde Mooney
AVC is evolving the celebrated former Crafty Squire in Melbourne’s CBD into a new four-level pub with an old name, through a lavish $6.5 million transformative renovation and new Carlton Draught bar. The Crafty Squire has been a landmark venue,

HARBORD HOTEL UNVEILS BOMBIES WITH FOUR-DAY BEACHSIDE BASH

Posted on June 6th, 2025 by Jane Louise
Five years in the planning, Freshwater’s Harbord Hotel is finally opening its next stage in renovations, Bombies. The hotel is situated metres away from the place where surfing was introduced to Australia by Duke Kahanamoku, in 1914. Previously the caretaker’s

LORD STANLEY’S NEW LOOK

Posted on May 30th, 2025 by Clyde Mooney
Hakfoort Group is celebrating the new look of the historic Lord Stanley Hotel, boasting a significant extension as part of a $15 million makeover. The Hakfoort family bought the 135-year-old pub in 2022, paying around $20 million for the title