The Brisbane Hotel, one of Perth's oldest venues at 128 years, will close from July 20 for major restorative works aimed at honoring its heritage while adapting to the city's future. The venue, affectionately known as The Brissy, is expected to reopen in mid-November after a large-scale refresh of its facade and interior.
Restoration Plans and Heritage Focus
ARK Group general manager Adam Kapinkoff said the restoration has been long overdue. "We felt it was the right time to look at the venue and restore a lot of the character, the heritage, and the story of The Brisbane Hotel," he told PerthNow. The works include stripping nine layers of paint from the facade and revealing original features such as brickwork and saloon bar areas inside. The last major renovations occurred in the early 2000s.
Stage One and Future Expansion
This year's works mark stage one of the redevelopment, which also includes new commercial kitchens, a toilet, and a full interior refurbishment. Stage two, scheduled for 2027, involves expanding into the adjacent car park after land purchase from the council is finalized. Kapinkoff noted the expansion would allow for a large outdoor pavilion with a 4m x 2.5m screen, a 10m bar, and a kids' activity room, though a timeline is not yet set. A revitalized food and drinks menu is also planned.
Farewell Weekend with $6 Pints
To mark the closure, The Brisbane Hotel will host a farewell weekend from July 17 to 19 with specials. On Friday, power hours offer pints and wines starting at $6 from 3pm-4pm, increasing by $1 each hour until 8pm. Saturday features the AFL derby on the big screen, games, and DJs. Sunday's "Kill the Kegs" closing party includes $6 pints and half-price food all day, with DJs until late.
Context and Future Outlook
The family-owned ARK Group sold several bars in 2022, including Market Grounds and Scarborough Beach Bar, making The Brisbane Hotel its primary focus. Kapinkoff highlighted the upcoming Perth Bears NRL introduction in March next year as a significant event the venue is preparing for. The restoration aims to honor the pub's 1898 foundation while positioning it for Perth's evolving landscape.
