Dee Why Hotel: 834 Pittwater Road, Dee Why, NSW (02) 9982 1797 or www.deewhyhotel.com.au Photography: Shannon Mcgrath The Dee Why Hotel was famous as a beachside rock ‘n’ roll stopover for a lot of classic Australian and touring international rock acts that rolled through town. But recent plans for the surrounding area meant the old
Mango Hill Tavern: Cnr Anzac Ave & Halpine Dr, Mango Hill QLD (07) 3482 1500 or www.mangohilltavern.com.au Mango Hill Tavern is Brisbane’s newest family hotel, and it’s already proving itself a big achiever, taking out the QHA award for Best New Hotel. Brand & Slater spent 16 weeks designing the cosy ambience of the tavern
Albert Park Hotel Oyster Bar & Grill 83 Dundas Place, Albert Park VIC (03) 9690 5459 or www.thealbertpark.com.au The Melbourne Pub Group knows how to do a gastro pub. Spearheaded by Julian Gerner, Melbourne Pub Group has been busying itself turning old titles into new gold, and The Albert Park Hotel is one of
Club Blakehurst: 12 Merriman Street, Blakehurst NSW (02) 9546 4731 or www.clubblakehurst.com.au Club Blakehurst in New South Wales succumbed to fire in 2007, but its spirit did not. While the club was being rebuilt by Tony Owen Partners, the bowlers kept bowling and the club adjusted its focus towards families. venue talked to Greg Payne,
Middle Park Hotel: 102 Canterbury Rd, Middle Park, VIC (03) 9690 1958 or www.middleparkhotel.com.au Six Degrees is known for turning recycled materials into something unique, but when those ‘raw’ materials constitute English Oak and Queensland Maplewood panelling from the MCC’s Long Room, unique is just the start. Middle Park Hotel was established in 1889, as
Melbourne Hotel: 10 Browning St, West End QLD (07) 3840 9888 or www.themelbournehotel.com.au Melbourne Hotel, in Brisbane’s West End, has been transformed from a tired hotel into a modern venue with a considerable breadth of offerings. It has The Office — an all-day dining area; an upstairs wine bar called Twelve; Tempted café and deli;
Grand Hotel Rockdale: 482 – 484 Princes Highway, Rockdale NSW (02) 9567 2493 or www.grandhotelrockdale.com.au The Grand Hotel has been trying to follow the changing styles of Sydney and its local patrons for the last 25 years. Southern Hotel Group has taken the hotel through many refurbishments, including a sports bar, and at one time
Sandown Greyhounds Tabaret: www.sandowngreyhoundstabaret.com.au ‘Sandown Greyhounds Tabaret’… it’s calling a spade a spade really — you instantly know where you are, what you’re looking at and the main reason for being there. You’ve got to admire that. No one’s trying to guild the bistro lily by calling it ‘Dish Lickers’ or something equally euphemistic. Now
Peach Tree Hotel: Castlereagh Road, Penrith NSW (02) 4721 794 or www.peachtreehotel.com.au The Peachtree Hotel is located in one of Sydney’s fastest growing suburbs Penrith. The brief from the owner Colin Parras was simple: Colin wanted a multipurpose space that appealed to all markets — kids included! The venue is big on alfresco ambience and
I have to say I get a bit shirty when I hear stories about new urban apartment-dwellers breezing in and whinging about ‘noise pollution’ coming from the next-door pub that’s been supporting live music for the last 50 years. I mean to say… please. It’s like moving next door to a church and complaining about