The Coolamon Hotel is set to open after five years of renovations. Photo: Coolamon Hotel Facebook.
A revamped Coolamon Hotel featuring a cocktail bar, glasshouse dining area and terrace is set to reopen its doors for a soft opening this weekend, after being out of action for five years.
“There’s something romantic about these old pubs and bringing them back to life,” said new owner Craig Patterson.
“While it’s been a punish on time and finances, the end result is worth the challenge.”
Craig Patterson and Ryan Bartholomew have worked hard for five years to revamp the pub. Photo: Supplied.
The pub first opened in 1880, and for many years was the focal point of the town.
It had a stop-start history in more recent times and was sold by then-owner Danny Milne in 2020 to Iris Capital, owned by Sydney-based billionaire pub baron Sam Arnaout. The real estate developer transferred the poker machine entitlements to a larger venue and the building was then sold to Mr Patterson and partner Megan Taylor, who have worked on multi-million dollar renovations since then, during which time it’s been closed.
“Megan has a great flair for the design side; she did a phenomenal job that’s brought the whole thing to life,” Mr Patterson said.
“We want to maintain these old buildings because they’re architecturally so much better, but to bring them up to code is just enormous work; for most it’s too daunting, but we were silly enough to get half-pregnant … we had an emotional attachment to it and that’s why we did it.
Labour of love for old hometown
The terrace will provide great night-time views. Photo: Coolamon Hotel Facebook.
The 61-year-old insurance underwriter grew up in Coolamon before establishing a successful business career in London, then returning to Australia. He sees the venture as more a labour of love for his old town rather than a commercial venture.
“A lot of people told me so many stories, like how they had their first beer with their dad at the pub,” he said.
“My dad passed away when I was young, so I didn’t get that chance … but I remember how the community rallied around to help my mum and family, when we didn’t have two bob to rub together; you don’t forget those things. You want to give back in some way. We love that building, the prominent one in town and we don’t want to see it go to rack and ruin.”
Mr Patterson’s cousin and hospitality businessman Ryan Bartholomew and wife Mel have joined forces with Mr Patterson and will be running the pub, including pulling the first pints on Friday night.
“Both Ryan and I are from Coolamon and most of the staff will be as well; we really want this to be a community asset,” Mr Patterson said.
Transformation of the pub
This space has been transformed into a glasshouse. Photo: Coolamon Hotel Facebook.
There’ll be no poker machines at the new venue, which will be unrecognisable to those who had last drinks there in 2020.
“We’ve put in a new conservatory or glasshouse, which we refer to as a ‘winter beer garden’ that can be used for private functions; it has direct access to the bar,” he said.
“We have also added a terrace on the side of a restaurant, also under glass, which provides a different dining experience.
“There’s also a new cocktail bar in the long room. In total, there are three bars at the property compared to one at the old venue. There’s the main bar, cocktail bar and then there’s the garden bar which will provide service to 150 patrons.”
He said people would be “pleasantly surprised” by the menu.
“It’s a bit different from your standard pub fare; it’s not super fancy but it’s done in a way people will really enjoy,” he said.
The accommodation, set to reopen in a month, has also been transformed.
“It used to have 16 rooms and one shared bathroom. We’ve turned that into four ensuite bedrooms which are nearly ready. We’ve converted a lot of the rooms into a long room – a reception and conference area alongside the Wade Street side.”
Honouring the history
The menu in the 1920s. Photo: Supplied.
The new venue will pay homage to the 145-year history of the pub, something the team behind the venture learned about during the excavations, uncovering various historic artefacts.
“John Webster was the publican back in 1884; his great-great-grandson was my schoolmate Greg Wester, who still lives in the area in Wagga,” Mr Patterson said.
“There were rumours that the pub once burnt down, but it wasn’t, it was the hall next door that burnt down in 1919.
“We found news articles on that, an old menu from the 1920s that lists items like rolled oats and lamb’s fry with bacon.”
Century-old items found at the pub during the renovations. Photo: Supplied.
The renovation team have put up storyboards that display artefacts and old news articles chronicling the pub’s history.
“We want the place to have the feel of a gorgeous old home; that was the original vision, hope we can match everybody’s expectations with what we provide.”
The Coolamon Hotel is located at the corner of Cowabbie and Wade streets. It will reopen from 4 pm on Friday and on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit its Facebook page and Instagram.
Original Article published by Oliver Jacques on Region Riverina.
