Australian Hotelier

Melbourne’s pub market is experiencing a resurgence of activity, with the recent transaction of the freehold interest in the Cornerstone Hotel drawing a yield of 4.5 per cent. This is the first time the Cornerstone Hotel has been offered to the market in 25 years, and the historic Port Melbourne pub attracted six offers under a four-week expression of interest campaign. According to JLL Hotels & Hospitality, which managed the transaction, the appetite and activity within the Melbourne pub market has begun to re-emerge, and fully leased investments continue to defy market expectations.

Cornerstone Hotel sale surpasses market expectations - Australian Hotelier The Melbourne pub market has begun to re-emerge, with the recent sale of the Cornerstone Hotel attracting a competitive yield.

New details of the Pub Leaders Summit program have been announced, and the middle portion of the day will focus on both business model viability and profitability, and cyber security. The conference hits on a variety of topics that are front of mind for the pub sector currently, and with economic factors placing real pressure on venue profit margins, two of the sessions will look at profitability and adapting to difficult economic landscape. Another pressing topic for pub operators is cybersecurity. Many pub businesses house and utilise a lot of patron data, and Alex Hoffmann, executive director of CyberCX, will make a presentation entitled ‘Cyber Security in Hospitality – Top 5 Threats and Top 5 Actions.’

Pub Leaders Summit program hits on the hot topics - Australian Hotelier New details of the Pub Leaders Summit program have been announced, focused on both business model viability and profitability, and cyber security.

The Paris 2024 Olympics are on this winter, kicking off tomorrow and running until Sunday 11 August. Held on the other side of the world, the majority of sports will run from 5pm-5am, making it perfect for your dinner and late-night crowd. Live sports have always presented a big trade boost for pubs, and with plenty of different sports occurring at the same time, it’s important to have coverage of the tournament throughout your venue. As always, getting the basics right – enough screens, volume up loud, the right F&B offer – make for the foundation of a successful Olympics trade at a pub.

The Olympics serves up the next sports-led trade boost for pubs - Australian Hotelier The Paris 2024 Olympics are running from 26 July until 11 August, and are perfect for the dinner and late-night crowd in Aussie pubs.

MA Redcape Hotel Fund recently announced that it has exchanged contracts for three Sydney pubs, with the sales totalling $136m.

Redcape sells trio of pubs for $136m - Australian Hotelier Redcape has announced that it has exchanged contracts for three Sydney pubs, with the sales totalling $136m.

The leasehold of a high-profile hotel in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, East Village, has been exchanged between Locky Paech of Goodtime Hospitality and a newly formed syndicate. Situated on the corner of Liverpool and Palmer Streets in Darlinghurst, the leasehold interest in East Village has changed hands to Tipple Time Hospitality, spearheaded by hospitality veterans Brian Sarkis, current licensee of ArtHouse Sydney; Matthew Orr, current licensee of Great Northern in Newcastle; and Ben McBeath.

New hospitality syndicate acquires East Village Sydney - Australian Hotelier Boasting one of Sydney's most renowned rooftop terraces, the leasehold interest in East Village has changed hands to Tipple Time Hospitality.

The Winston, located in Sydney’s northwest, is undergoing a major renovation, refreshing the bistro and Taffy’s sports bar to reflect changing customer demographics, with adjustments to the bistro menu currently being trialled.

Retro renovation for The Winston - Australian Hotelier Publican Andrew Thomas spoke to Australian Hotelier about The Winston’s renovation, and shared news about the proposed sale of The Oaks.

Applications for the Australian Hotelier Future Leaders Scholarship will close at midnight tonight! With a total prize pool valued at $18,000, the scholarship aims to foster emerging leaders within hospitality and provide them with the skills and education to enhance their career opportunities - don’t miss out on the chance to boost your pub career. To find out more about the scholarship and how to apply, visit Australian Hotelier through the link in our bio.

The famed Lansdowne Hotel, on the fringes of Sydney’s CBD, has a new owner. The sale took place at the end of 2023, but has only just been announced. The new owner’s identity has not been revealed, however new lessee Julian Romero told Australian Hotelier that he has worked on a few projects with the new owners on projects in Melbourne.

Lansdowne Hotel freehold sale announced - Australian Hotelier The famed Lansdowne Hotel, on the fringes of Sydney’s CBD, has a new landlord, who has brought in Melbourne's The Happy Mexican.

The Australian Hotels Association of Western Australia (AHA WA) recently announced the winners of its 2024 AHA & Little Creatures WA’s Best Steak Sandwich Competition, split across two categories – Country WA and Perth metro.

AHA WA Best Steak Sandwich winners announced - Australian Hotelier Winners were chosen from Country WA and Perth metro in the 17th year of the AHA WA Best Steak Sandwich competition.

Kickon Group has acquired the Anelay on the Strand in Townsville, and the pub will be refurbished and renamed The Beach Hotel, commencing an immediate four-week renovation that caters to both local residents and Townsville visitors alike. The Beach Hotel’s menu will focus on quality and creativity, featuring innovative pub classics.

Kickon Group to transform Townsville pub - Australian Hotelier Kickon Group has acquired the Anelay on the Strand in Townsville, and the pub will be refurbished and renamed The Beach Hotel.

Located in Sydney’s Inner West, the historic Red Lion pub is set to unveil the brand-new Bistro Led Rion by Manu, with celebrity chef Manu Feildel occupying the upper level. Set to open on Friday 12 July, the 120-seat bistro marks Feildel's return to a restaurant kitchen for the first time in four years, joined by Laundy Hotels group executive chef Jamie Gannon. The bistro is a blend of Parsisian charm and contemporary Sydney style, with a French-leaning menu that adopts recipes from Feildel’s family archives.

Red Lion pub opens bistro under Manu Feildel - Australian Hotelier The pub has undergone a $1.5 million renovation, including the addition of Bistro Red Lion by Manu under the celebrity chef.

Hawthorn will see the return of a local icon as The Beehive comes to life once again, reopening as a pub under Only Hospitality after a 15-year hiatus. The design reimagines the historic pub through a modern lens and champions restoration over renovation, holding capacity for 300 patrons and maintaining its appeal for sports enthusiasts.

Only Hospitality revives The Beehive - Australian Hotelier 15 years since it last operated as a pub, Hawthorn institute The Beehive will reopen in July after a restoration project.

Nokturnl has brought a signature large-scale offer to Perth’s CBD with its latest venue, Stories, after the group won a tender process ran by the State Government to reinvigorate Yagan Square. Nokturnl won the tender with a design to revitalise the precinct with a new venue to replace Market Hall that would add an extra two floors to the building, while also opening up and activating more of the outdoor space.

Nokturnl makes Perth CBD debut with Stories - Australian Hotelier Nokturnl has brought a signature large-scale offer to Perth’s CBD with its latest venue, Stories.

More details for this year’s Pub Leaders Summit can be revealed, with the topline program for the event which will run 9-10 September at Waterview in Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park being announced.

Pub Leaders Summit 2024 topics revealed - Australian Hotelier Plus, the first venue of the Study Tour is announced – and it’s a big one.

Australian Hotelier is pleased to announce support for the Future Leaders Scholarship has continued, with CUB also joining as a sponsor of the program, taking the total Scholarship prize pool to a value of $18,000.

Future Leaders Scholarship prize pool grows with Carlton & United Breweries - Australian Hotelier The support for the Future Leaders Scholarship continues, with CUB also joining as a sponsor of the program.

The June/July issue of Australian Hotelier is online now! With food a crucial part of the pub offer, having the right chefs on board is a big part of the long-term success of a pub if you want repeat business. We’ve got plenty of chefs in this issue who are at the top of their game, doing some really interesting things in pub kitchens. We look into the 2024 Australian Professional Chef of the Year comp, which included four pub chefs showing off their talents and creativity, and chat to Laundy Hotels executive chef Jamie Gannon about heroing local produce. Other highlights include a guide to making the most out of your AGE visit, Olympics coverage, and the reopening of The White Horse in Surry Hills. Read all of this and more in the latest edition of Australian Hotelier.

Australian Hotelier June-July 2024 Australian Hotelier is the monthly magazine for the nation’s pubs and supplier partners. For more than 30 years, it has delivered industry insights, product news, category analysis and advice for licensees

The Feros Group has added an oceanfront pub to its portfolio with the acquisition of the leasehold interest in the Ocean Beach Hotel in Shellharbour.

Oceanfront South Coast hotel sold to Feros Group - Australian Hotelier Feros Group has taken the leasehold of the Ocean Beach Hotel in Shellharbour from its former owners of 22 years.

Pub tournament poker is on track to make a comeback in Tasmania, with the Tasmanian Liberal Government pushing to reopen the vibrant and thriving social poker scene by exempting such games from the Gaming Control Act.

Pub tournament poker to return to Tasmania - Australian Hotelier Social poker will be declared exempt under the Gaming Control Act, getting genuine tournaments back up and running in the state's pubs.

Sydney’s Light Brigade Hotel has changed hands between two esteemed Sydney pub families, with Laundy Hotels acquiring the venue from the Bayfield Hotels Group.

Laundy Hotels purchases Sydney’s Light Brigade Hotel - Australian Hotelier The hotel has been owned by the Bayfield Hotels Group since 2015, during which time the first floor lounge and rooftop bar were renovated.

With months of speculation as to the status of its finances, and having lost partners like Love Tilly Group, Public Hospitality’s operations have been under intense scrutiny, and this week the group has endured a few more blows.

Public Hospitality Group restructures - Australian Hotelier With months of speculation as to the status of its finances, Public Hospitality’s operations have been under intense scrutiny.

Looking to further your career in pubs? Or know someone who should? Apply for the Future Leaders Scholarship! With $18,000 in prizes to be won, the scholarship recipient and finalists will benefit from leadership training opportunities from our Official Training Allara Global, and beverage category knowledge and experiences from leading beverage supplier Carlton & United Breweries.

Open to anyone working in pubs as an Assistant Venue Manager, specialised role or junior group role. Applications close Monday 15 July. For more information and to apply, visit https://forms.gle/DqUpmG3GoALY3yoK9

Australian Venue Co. has launched its own retail media network, AVC Experience+, which will give its partners access to up to 15 million patrons annually across a national portfolio of more than 200 venues.

Australian Venue Co launches retail media network - Australian Hotelier AVC Experience+ will give partner brands digital and experiential access to up to 15 million patrons annually across 200+ venues.

The Australian Hotels Association WA has announced the finalists for its 2024 Best Steak Sandwich Competition, which is now in its 17th year.

AHA WA Best Steak Sandwich finalists named - Australian Hotelier The Australian Hotels Association WA’s Best Steak Sandwich competition is in its 17th year, and this year’s finalists are revealed.

Australian Hotelier has launched a scholarship program to help develop the next generation of leaders within the pubs sector, providing one winner and nine finalists with prizes that will assist in furthering their careers within the pub sector, and applications are now open.

Australian Hotelier launches the Future Leaders Scholarship - Australian Hotelier The Australian Hotelier Future Leaders Scholarship, with prizes valued at up to $14,000, will help develop the next generation of pub leaders.

Queensland Hotels Association recently announced the winners of its Awards for Excellence, with more than 1500 industry members joining to celebrate Queensland’s exceptional venues and operators.

QHA names top hotels in the Sunshine State - Australian Hotelier A pub in its first year of operation was named Overall Hotel of the Year – Metropolitan as well as Best Bistro – Metropolitan.

The Metropole Hotel in Townsville has undergone extensive renovations, reopening in February this year with a modernised look which encapsulates the history of the hotel in a contemporary format. Now under the operation of Kpat Hotels & Pubs, the refurbishment of the historic pub brings a new sense of character to the existing architecture and heritage elements, providing a point of difference for Townsville.

Australian Hotelier May 2024 Australian Hotelier is the monthly magazine for the nation’s pubs and supplier partners. For more than 30 years, it has delivered industry insights, product news, category analysis and advice for licensees

The types of technology used in bar operations varies dramatically from venue to venue, and in the May issue of Australian Hotelier we talk to pub operators about what works best for them.

Australian Hotelier May 2024 Australian Hotelier is the monthly magazine for the nation’s pubs and supplier partners. For more than 30 years, it has delivered industry insights, product news, category analysis and advice for licensees

Low-carb, low-sugar and gluten-free are all characteristics proving popular among pub drinkers, and in the latest issue of Australian Hotelier, we explore the rising tide of better-for-you beverages on-premise, and the ways in which publicans are embracing the trend.

Australian Hotelier May 2024 Australian Hotelier is the monthly magazine for the nation’s pubs and supplier partners. For more than 30 years, it has delivered industry insights, product news, category analysis and advice for licensees

Kickon Group has overhauled the F&B offering at The Collective in Palm Beach, Queensland adding three new and diverse kitchens to choose from.

Kickon Group expands F&B offer at The Collective - Australian Hotelier Kickon Group has added three more food outlets to the F&B offer at The Collective, Palm Beach.

After announcing the establishment of Epochal Hotels in April, Glenn Piper chats with Australian Hotelier about the philosophy behind the group, and how that’s reflected in its venues.

Epochal Hotels celebrates history at its venues - Australian Hotelier Glenn Piper discusses the philosophy behind Epochal Hotels and how its reflected in its venues.