First look inside the renovated Brompton Hotel, reopened after 12-month closure under Duxton Pubs Group

The revived western suburbs venue has a new star on its menu in place in of what many consider an Aussie pub staple.

It’s Adelaide’s newest pub destination – and there isn’t a schnitty in sight.

The Brompton Hotel reopens on Wednesday following a million-dollar revamp, with a “light and bright” bar, poolroom in place of pokies and Michelin-trained chef in the kitchen.

Chef Andrew Wandless, whose CV includes Michelin starred restaurant Texture (London) and Una Mas (NSW), will introduce a “modern European” menu to the 74-seat dining area, including a crumbed chicken Kyiv in place of the common schnitzel.

“It’ll have 110g of garlic butter in there, so that’ll keep you going,” Wandless, 35, said.

“It’s not pretentious, it’s not fine dining; it’s good honest cooking.”

The Brompton is the latest opening from Duxton Pubs Group, which bought the heritage-listed hotel in September 2021 and closed it in December for renovations.

It aims to be a key offering in one of the state’s fastest growing suburbs, joining nearby hospitality and events space, Plant 4, and a number of cafes and restaurants.

Brompton Hotel, Chef Andrew Wandless holds his signature Chicken Kyiv and Duty Manager Emmy Thomson with the Brompton special Martini. Picture: Emma Brasier

Joshua Hillary, the general operations manager of Duxton Pubs’ management arm, BSGM Group, said he wanted the hotel to be “restored as the go-to watering hole for the Brompton area and wider Western suburbs”.

“It’s unique to the Brompton area for sure, but also quite connected in the wider western suburbs; Medindie and North Adelaide,” he said, adding that the dining room aims to draw people from afar.

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Structural modifications include a new sweeping U-shaped bar, “which means we’ve got space for people to pull up a stool”; booth seating, and a pool table where pokies once stood.

“Everything we’ve done is giving a nod to the heritage of the building – it’s been here since 1856,” Hillary said.

The new owners of the renovated Brompton Hotel.

“The bar has a more accessible vibe, where we just want people to feel comfortable; feel like it’s an extension of their lounge room. There’ll be good beer, good tunes, batch cocktails, local distilleries and wine list of 100-odd bottles.”

While local breweries and Little Bang – bought out by Duxton Pubs in June – will be at the fore, a “bogan beer paddle” is also on the cards, he said.

“We’re not prescriptive of how people eat and drink here; they can make their own adventure,” he said.

Wandless, who previously spent a short time in Adelaide working at Magill Estate Kitchen in 2018, said food across the bar and restaurant would aim to “make people happy”.

“There’ll be bigger steaks and whole fish if you want to have that big sharing, family-style lunch, or if you just want to spend $50, you can do that,” he said.

Other items on the menu include smoked potato and hen egg ravioli with prosciutto broth, and crab omelette with mornay bouillabaisse glaze. Sweets include a “really good” custard tart.

“It’s not too French, not too British, but just getting that aura of nostalgia,” Wandless said. “Good produce, cooked well with a little bit of skill, and honest cooking, which I think is being missed.”