LOCALS’ SHENANIGANS AS THOMAS FAMILY EXITS PUB GAME
Two brothers and three mates have taken the plunge with their first pub, beating hungry Sydney operators to buy the Thomas family’s long-held Shenanigans at The Imperial. Mike Thomas has been a staple of the NSW hotel industry for over
MOMENTO GETS GREEN LIGHT FOR MACQUARIE PARK PUB
The Colosimo family’s Momento Venues has gained approval for a brand new upmarket hotel in the booming Macquarie Park business district. Macquarie Park is in the heart of western Sydney, and in the past decade or so has become home
MELBOURNE PUBS RATTLED BY GUN INCIDENTS
Pubs in north Melbourne suburbs had brushes with the city’s underbelly on Tuesday night, with one man shot and another waving a gun at security and patrons. Victorian Police report being called to the corner of Sydney and Mahoneys Roads
BYE BYE BAIRD: PROTESTORS UPBEAT AS PREMIER DAMPER DEPARTS
Opponents to the NSW lockout laws, WestConnex and Council amalgamations are hopeful the resignation of Minister Baird could begin changes to the unpopular policies. The 44th Premier of NSW, the Minister for Infrastructure and Western Sydney and party leader, resigned
OPERATORS BOOTED AS MT ERICA HOTEL CLOSES
Prahran’s historic Mt Erica Hotel has closed suddenly, with the landlords changing the locks on its most recent incarnation. Built in 1853, the Stonnington History Centre says the pub is one of the oldest in the area, in Melbourne’s east.
BEER+BUBS GETTING DADS-TO-BE IN PUBS
Beer+Bubs is a program that teaches men what they really need to know about childbirth – in the comfortable setting of a pub amongst other men. The program has been running in Sydney since 2004, and nationally since 2009, and
BIG LIDCOMBE HOTEL SALE SETS TONE FOR ANOTHER BIG YEAR
The sale of a top-50 gaming pub has kick-started what is expected to be another big year in Australian pub real estate. The freehold of the Lidcombe Hotel was purchased by Marcus Levy’s Marvan Hotels eight years ago from Hedley
CLG’S FOX HOTEL CENTRE OF AUSTRALIA DAY ‘HOLOCAUST’ DEBATE
A Brisbane Councillor has stirred up an Australia Day brouhaha after criticising CLG’s Fox Hotel for promoting its Colonial IPA – likening colonisation to the Holocaust. Cr Jonathan Sri is Brisbane born and raised, and entered politics with a desire
CHEUNG UNVEILS FIRST STAGE FOR CBH’S NEW LOOK
Chris Cheung has unveiled stage one of his ongoing project to reinvigorate the iconic Coogee Bay Hotel. Overlooking Coogee Beach, with one of the country’s most famous beer garden courtyards, the CBH has been synonymous with alfresco hospitality and beachside
NEW TECH MAKES BILL-SPLITTING EASY FOR VENUES AND PATRONS
A new smartphone App could help both venues and patrons, promising to solve the age-old problem of groups wanting to split their bill. Groupee is a free App for Android and iPhones, which facilitates payment by groups of up to