Waverley’s exultant Robin Hood Hotel is poised to welcome yon locals as it reopens following a multi-million-dollar refresh and nod to its proud past.
The Hood, as it is known locally, already had a DA and permissions prior to the national pandemic shutdown last year, and closed to begin work last July, shortly after pubs in most states reopened.
“This has been in the works for five years,” says owner Daniel Whitten.
The Hood has been in the family since 1979, when Dan’s grandmother Lorraine Havin – first cousin to Genia Solomon, Bruce Solomon’s mother – bought the business, making her one of the few female publicans in Sydney at the time.
When Lorraine passed, more than a decade ago, the pub was run under management for several years by Solotel, until Daniel took over in 2015.
Since then he has gone on to buy the Tamworth Hotel in 2016, and more recently the Gunnedah Hotel, both with business partner Luke Prout.
The extensive renovation at The Hood is effectively in two parts, comprising the main public bar downstairs, and upmarket new European bistro-style food offering upstairs, called Lorraine’s, set to open in a couple of weeks.
The new interior of the bar, designed by Miss M (Mairav Whitten) in collaboration with H&E Architects, has seen three levels “gutted and given a makeover” that brings a new bar, amenities, upgraded facilities including new lifts and disability compliance, and two commercial kitchens, one being primary for production.
Downstairs now incorporates a professional sound system and stage, and subject to upcoming COVID restrictions, Whitten is hoping they will soon return to their history of hosting a live entertainment, with a focus on local artists, capitalising on their late-trader 3am licence.
“It’s been an opportunity to refresh the pub and go back to good pub things, like lots of live music,” he explains.
While good things pub and pub grub will take place downstairs, upstairs will be a different offer as Lorraine’s comes online offering European cuisine under the guidance of head chef Clement Marchais (formerly Peppe’s, Bondi), with input from consultant chef Phil Davenport.
Both menus will benefit from a partnership formed with the legendary Jack’s Creek Beef of Tamworth, previous winners of ‘World’s Best Steak’, for steaks destined for The Hood’s restaurant and new charcoal grill.
The interior of Lorraine’s will sport a specifically curated mural, created by an artist as an extrapolation of original 1938 wallpaper discovered behind the bar during the renovation.
Upstairs at The Hood also finds three slick function spaces, ready for private events. The upper level enjoys capacity for an additional 150 patrons, and a 2am licence.
“We’ve tried to respect the Art Deco building and features as much as we can, as it is heritage-listed … give her some love, but in a dignified manner,” offers Whitten.
LAUNCH NIGHT
For its official opening tomorrow night (11 March) The Hood is proud to be supporting the Leukaemia Foundation by taking part in the World’s Greatest Shave.
Five-hundred dollars has already been raised, plus tomorrow night all beer sales from 6-9pm go directly to the Leukemia Foundation.
Select members of team Hood will have their heads shaved for a worthy cause, before the NRL kicks off at 8pm.
“I’m getting shorn,” says Whitten. “I just thought it a nice way to relaunch the old girl.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation but unable to make it to the new Robin Hood Hotel can do so HERE.
