Awarded hotelier Cam O’Keefe has relaunched Geelong’s iconic Eureka Hotel following an extensive makeover, ushering in the smart new Westend to the foodie precinct.
Built 1850 and licensed since 1853, the Eureka is recognised as the city’s second-oldest continually licensed pub, presenting a variety of incarnations as a tavern, live music den and most recently a nightclub until its reticent closure around two years’ ago.
The pub is located on a corner of Little Malop Street, which has become Geelong’s key precinct for quality f&b options, with popular venues Geelong Cellar Door, Coffee Cartel, The Workers Club and 18th Amendment among those nearby.
O’Keefe was responsible for the successful reinvigoration of the Central Hotel, now known as Centra, offering produce-driven “rustic Italian” cuisine.
The Hotel was subsequently dubbed 3AW’s Pub of the Year in 2017, with O’Keefe taking the prize for Young Restauranteur of the Year in 2018 at the Appetite for Excellence Awards.
Yesterday (24 September) the doors of the newly named Westend opened, offering a comfortable, ambient environment, curated global drinks selection, and an “accessible” approach to quality food, starring its new grill cooking up game, seafood and an array of meats.
Surrounded with selection, Westend will aim to match the food and service while differentiating by being more pub-like.
“We want to see people dine here multiple times a week, and not view it as an occasion,” responded O’Keefe. “We see ourselves as halfway between a pub and restaurant, in a relaxed and inviting setting.”
As Geelong continues its gentrification evolution, in line with so many growing regions, Westend hopes to leverage its history, with a clear eye on the market.
“We wanted to retain as many historical components as possible, while also mixing some clean, fresh and modern features to contrast,” says O’Keefe.
“We feel we’re meeting the needs of an important part of the market that wants to dine out more regularly – and with better quality offerings – but also needs this to remain affordable.”
98 Little Malop St
03 5280 8444
