Barrelhouse Group reopens The Observer Hotel in The Rocks
One of Sydney’s most iconic pubs The Observer Hotel reopens its doors today under new owners the Barrelhouse Group. Best known for venues including The Duke of Clarence, the Barber Shop and Hickson House, Mikey Enright and Julian Train have given the heritage-listed space a new lease of life.
“We’ve swapped traditional mushy peas for a vibrant pea salad and we’re serving a roast with all the trimmings every day of the week, while on Sundays, we’ve gone all out with four different options,”
The pub has undergone a complete renovation over the past three and a half years to fit the bill of a classic English pub. “This is a proper locals’ pub at heart, there’s no pretense here, just genuine hospitality and wholesome British pub classics with a modern twist,” says Enright.
“This isn’t our first rodeo, we know what makes a pub feel truly authentic: It’s somewhere you walk in, meet people and have a laugh with friends, whether you’re settling into a cosy dining nook or sitting on the footpath watching the harbour with a pint or a classic cocktail, it’s built for everybody to feel at home.”
The multi-level pub has a public bar, a glass conservatory, parlour rooms, private dining space, and a dining room and lounge that has been fitted out with antique furnishings sourced from the UK. “The building is actually three heritage sites stitched together – Waterman’s Arms, The Observer Tavern and an old car garage that’s now our sunny beer garden,” says Train. “The challenge was honouring each ones history, while also giving the place a coherent flow.”
Former Icebergs talent Sam Bull is running the kitchen as head chef, and has focused on pub classics from roasts to scotch eggs and aged steaks. “We’ve swapped traditional mushy peas for a vibrant pea salad and we’re serving a roast with all the trimmings every day of the week, while on Sundays, we’ve gone all out with four different options,” he says.
There are also prawn cocktails, Berkshire pork sausage rolls, whisky-drenched ribeye, spatchcock brined in leftover juniper and a gin-macerated Eton mess, all nods to the distilling expertise of the group. Highlights of the drinks offering include a 70-bottle wine list, classic cocktails, spritzes and a signature Irish coffee.
The Observer Hotel opens its doors today at 69 George Street in The Rocks. It’s open seven days from 10am until late.
