The Stag Public House, House of George put up for sale by Big Easy Group

Hospitality operators Big Easy Group are looking to hand over the historic venue in Adelaide’s East End. Here’s why.

The Stag on Rundle St.

Iconic city pub The Stag Public House has been put on the market by hospitality operators Big Easy Group.

The group took over the pub and the adjacent restaurant, now known as House of George, in 2018, transforming both venues after the previous owners fell into administration.

They are now looking for new operators to take over the pub and restaurant, which was revamped and renamed last year.

Big Easy Group director Oliver Brown said it was the right time to hand over the venue to new owners as his group focused on smaller “boutique” venues.

“The goal when we took it over four years ago, when we were working with Steve Maras (landlord), was to turn it around and create a pub with a good brand, a good reputation and just something that transcended us,” he said.

Big Easy Group director Oliver Brown at House of George, before last year’s revamp. Picture: Morgan Sette

“But the goal was always to move on at some point, and we’ve decided now is the time. We want to focus on the restaurants and the smaller venues we have, and that boutique offering is where we’re shifting the group’s focus, so for the pub it just made sense to step away from that style of venue and continue it on while it’s profitable and successful.”

Other venues run by the Big Easy Group include east end bar NOLA, Bowden Brewing, Bandit Pizza & Wine at Hyde Park and Anchovy Bandit and Bottega Bandito in Prospect.

The group will turn French restaurant and bar pop up La Louisiane into a permanent venue at its King William St location from March, before a second Bottega Bandito opens at Charter Hall’s new 60 King William development in April.

Mr Brown said there were early signs 2024 would be a year of strong recovery for the city’s hospitality sector.

“Hospitality as a whole was pretty rough last year, from April through to November,” he said.

“Just across the board it was just down and hard, but December was the first month we saw all of our venues on par, if not exceeding, 2022 numbers.

“And January, for us, smashed January last year across the board. I’m feeling super confident with where the industry is going in 2024, and I think Fringe will be our biggest yet.”

As part of a makeover last year, House of George was renamed from Yiasou George, with a new menu and the arrival of new head chef Alexis Besseau, who joined from La Louisiane.