Western institution the CY O’Connor pub has triumphantly reopened, with more to come, after a fire destroyed it two years ago.
News emerged mid-2021 that the CY O’Connor Village Pub in Piara Waters, a suburb of south Perth, had been consumed by a blaze over the weekend.
Emergency services arrived to find the fire well established and a roof partially collapsed. They battled for around 90 minutes to get it under control. Thankfully no-one was reported injured.
Assessment found some areas sustained only minor damage, but the main tavern was beyond repair.
One of the few things able to be salvaged was its Best Steak Sandwich 2021 belt, won at the AHA WA Awards for Excellence the previous month. Prior to 2021 the operation had won the Association’s acclaim for Casual Pub Dining.
But the owners vowed to rebuild, and $8 million later say CY O’Connor is bigger and better than ever. The clean slate reportedly allowed them a ‘fresh approach’ and opportunity to add elements that were not possible when they were restricted to the old building.
It is said to have now grown into a ‘food and beverage precinct’, with five separate venues.
At the end of March the first contingent opened to the public, bringing the new CY O’Connor Village Pub, sporting 36 beers on tap, as well as eatery Paperbark Burger Co, and a return of Tilly’s Garden – a cocktail bar, serving share food.
Opening soon will be a family-style outdoor restaurant to be called Charlie’s Paddock, and The Steak House, which will be the flagship of the hotel’s farm-to-table approach, serving up the best from Melaleuka Farm, alongside artisanal beverages.
Managing director John Dawkins told PerthNow they have made major changes and additions to the pub, while hoping to “retain all of the unique qualities” that its customers previously enjoyed.
And now backed by no less than four complementary food offerings, Dawkins says they have their sights firmly set on more award-winning dining options.
