Celebrity chef Maurice Terzini and publican Michael Broome have officially reopened the former Bondi Junction and former The Eastern again as Billy The Pig, capitalising on its colourful history.
Located in the Westfield Bondi precinct, the ‘no frills’ old-school pub is a creation of Terzini, acclaimed Icebergs restauranteur, in partnership with Broome, who also holds the re-created Jacksons on George.
Equipped with a 3am licence, Billy intends to be an all-day and late-night watering hole for the precinct that is prefaced as a “love letter to the classic Australian public bar”.
In the 1950s the multi-level pub was owned by a guy named Billy, who was not popular and according to hotel guru Max Hitchins “is said to have looked like a pig, grunted like a pig … and treated his customers like pigs!”
Accordingly, the hotel became known throughout the eastern suburbs as Billy The Pig’s Hotel and when Hitchins took over, in the 90s, he renamed it in ‘honour’ of his predecessor.
Always the innovator, Hitchins created one of the first websites for a pub in Australia, and encouraged people to download ‘Billy’s Bucks’, which they could bring in and use as real money.
In recent years the hotel has been known as The Eastern, owned and operated for some time by Andrew Lazarus’ Zenith Hotels.
This week the Pig swung open the doors again, and working to overcome a few delays will be fully operational next week.
“We have plans to extend and also take on the second level once we get everything working properly,” revealed Broome.
The revised Pig is adorned with a subdued fit-out but naturally focused on food, ranging evocative pub classics and snacks mashing history with Italian street food. Beyond the Party Pies and fancy Jatz with Cheddar, beer-battered Dory & Chips, chicken schnitzel, and bangers and mash are served alongside calamari and lasagna.
The drinks menu offers local craft brews and minimal intervention wines, and a dynamic cocktail list, with four each of classic, modern and late-night options, bringing the likes of the Three-Rum Colada, Jap Slipper with Tanqueray Gin, Lychee Martini and Fruit Tingle.
Live music will reportedly play a major role, featuring DJs and live bands five nights a week from 9pm.
BTP will also roll out initiatives such as a Snack Kitchen pop-up, pub takeovers and Wine Safaris, as well as installations by contemporary abstract artist Elliott Routledge.
Initially planned to be a 17-month tenure, the pair are hoping for a future for Billy. Terzini says this kind of ‘residency’ allows him to explore less structured models, akin to “when I started my career more on gut feelings and creativity than budgets”.
“I would say Billy the Pig will be Bondi’s response to Frankie’s pizza, with a great party vibe,” adds Broome.
