PUB DINING TRENDS FOR 2019
By Emma Castle The rise of the gastro-pub has seen a succession of trends sweep the pub plate, with the rocket to stardom of quinoa and can’t-get-enough uptake of the poké bowls, leaving the question – what will it be
DARK CLOUD OVER RORKES
The owner of Darwin pub Rorkes is in hot water over allegations of failing to pay staff and prejudice against indigenous patrons. Rorkes is located in Darwin's historic Commonwealth Bank building, in the CBD. Last week a number of staff
ROYAL HOTEL ENTERS RELUCTANT SALE
The high-performing Royal Hotel in Inverell has hit the market, as its owner-operator looks to exit the industry for health reasons. Inverell is a thriving agricultural town of over 16,000 people around seven hours’ north of Sydney, slightly off the
100 BURGERS GROUP SEEKS SOLUTION FOR BOWEN HILLS
Thumping food-based pub Welcome to Bowen Hills in Brisbane is testing the market, as its Melbourne-based owners tune their interstate business model. The curiously named Welcome to Bowen Hills (WBH) represents the second instalment of the concept by 100 Burgers
MERIVALE DODGES DAGGERS OVER END OF EBA
Immensely successful and popular hospitality group Merivale is being lampooned for the decision to end its out-dated WorkChoices employment contract for staff, adding insult to irony. High-flying 40-something bar tsar Justin Hemmes has built his family operation to count over
THE TAPHOUSE BROTHERS TAKE ON AVC’S THE OXFORD
The brothers Thorpe are leveraging their boutique beverage brains trust with expansion into and of AVC’s former Drink n’ Dine pub, The Oxford, at Petersham. The hyper-expansive Dixon Group snapped up the collection of three venues owner-operated by Jaime Wirth
HOTEL INDUSTRY SLAMS CUB’S ENTRY TO ONLINE LIQUOR SALES
Former Australian brewing behemoth Carlton & United Breweries has stirred up a hornet’s nest with its decision to try direct-retailing many of its products to consumers through eBay – at discounted prices. Carlton & United Breweries (CUB) was wholly acquired
ROUGH WEEKEND IN VIC PUBS
Victorian pubs lament a rough weekend, as violence makes the headlines in at least two locations, leaving one man dead and several in police custody. Emergency services were called to a fight that broke out early Saturday morning on Campbell
BUSH PUB OF THE YEAR ON OFFER
The reigning Best Bush Pub of NSW has come to market, as proud publicans Ash and Libby Walker look to consider their next challenge. The Armatree Hotel is in the heart of Orana district, around six hours’ drive north-west of
LION HONOURS HURLEY LEGEND
Hurley hospitality legends of the City of Churches have been immortalised on the label of a special edition West End Draught. Former AHA National President, SA President and acclaimed entrepreneur Peter Hurley was featured on limited cartons of Lion’s West
