‘I’m thinking about people’s wallets’: City pub bucks trend and lowers cost for food and drinks to attract more patrons

An Adelaide CBD hotel will cap the prices of its food menu at $30 and cut almost half the price of some beers to attract more patrons amid cost of living pressures.

Despite the rising cost of living increasing the prices of drinks and food across pubs in Adelaide, a city hotel is bucking the trend and lowering costs to attract more people through the door.

The Griffins Hotel on Hindmarsh Square in the CBD will from this Wednesday, cap the price of its food menu at $30, and cut almost half the cost of certain beers in an effort to make going to the pub more affordable.

Owner, Adam Vonthethoff told the Advertiser that there was “always a risk in business”, and that he hoped the move would attract more patrons as less people were flocking to city pubs to spend money this year.

“The reason for changing is that in the last 12-months, we have definitely noticed a decrease in patronage,” he said.

The Griffins Hotel is bucking the cost of living crisis and will from this Wednesday, cap the prices of all food items on their menu at $30. Picture: Keryn Stevens

“We’re trying to do as much as we can for the price so there’s not a barrier for them coming in.”

While prices were decreasing in the front bar and restaurant, Mr Vonthethoff said it was a “balancing act” when running a hotel, and that there were other areas of the business that kept it afloat.

“It’s not all about the schnitzel (and other food). The pubs gotta have a lot of different revenue streams and we’ve got that,” he said.

“We’ve got the front bar, we’ve got food, beverages and we’re putting in pool tables this week as well and a couple of arcade games.

“We’ve got function rooms so there’s different ways to make money out of a pub. It’s not just about charging a fortune for one or two items.”

Other pubs around Adelaide were copping negative reviews from customers, calling out their high food and drinks prices, only to learn that publicans were making little profits.

Mr Vonthethoff said the menu was still being finalised, but had decided on prices for some of the more popular items, with the most expensive item being a $30 Porterhouse Steak.

Other price decreases include the traditional schnitzels going from $28 to $24, with seniors above 60 able to purchase schnitzels at $12.50, and beers, West End Draught and XXXX Gold dropping from $11.50 to just $7.50 per pint.

Vice President of the Hotels Association SA, David Basheer said hotels were struggling to keep costs down.

“There is no doubt that the pressure to put prices up is very real and venues are certainly keeping prices to a minimum simply to keep their customers,” he said.

“Obviously, many customers are also experiencing cost of living issues.

“However, the cost base for hotels is getting tighter and tighter, and apart from the normal cost of goods, there are also power (electricity) concerns at the moment pushing up the prices.”