A $2.4m renovation of the historic Crown Hotel in Lutwyche has transformed the pub

A major renovation of a 140-year-old hotel in Brisbane’s inner north has made an old pub ‘trendy’ without losing that neighbourhood feel. See inside.

One of Brisbane’s oldest suburban hotels has been transformed into a trendy pub with the charm of a “neighbourhood hang out” after a multimillion dollar refurbishment.

Built in 1881, The Crown Hotel in Lutwyche has reopened after a $2.4m refurbishment by operators Australian Venue Co giving the pub a new lease on life and at the same time created a local hub for the inner north.

The entirely refurbished bistro has an open-air area that opens onto the showstopping new beer garden and heritage pavilion that are both perfect for the spring/summer season, with seating for 140 patrons.

Inside the Australian Venue Co's newly renovated The Crown Hotel in Lutwyche.

AVC chief operating officer Craig Ellison said Lutwyche needed something “a bit special”.

“We’re happy to create that for locals. It brings the drinking and dining experience you’d expect at a trendy pub in the city, but without losing the casual charm of a neighbourhood hang out,” he said.

“We invited a group of local residents and business owners in for dinner to preview the menu and to get their feedback on the food, the drinks and what they wanted to see when we reopened.

“They’ve been so positive and supportive, and we’ve taken their feedback on board to make sure we’re offering the menus they want and cracking line of up of activity – things to meet your friends for after work, like comedy and themed trivia.”

The Australian Venue Co's newly renovated Crown Hotel in Lutwyche.

The new food menu offers a balance of high-quality pub classics as well as on-trend casual dining options.

Starters and sharing dishes include prawn roll with spiced mayo, fried Halloumi with strawberry, balsamic and cracked white pepper and beef tartare with salt and vinegar chips, burnt shallots and pickles.

Mains include bistro dishes such as Confit duck leg with celeriac, green lentils and Kipfler chips alongside perfected pub classics like the chicken parmigiana, chicken schnitzel with red cabbage and apple slaw and a selection of steaks, with choices of sauces and toppers such as grilled prawns, salt and pepper calamari and half a Moreton Bay bug.

Inside the lounge area of the Australian Venue Co's newly renovated Crown Hotel in Lutwyche.

Those looking for a healthier option can choose from Queenslander Catch of the Day, Tasmanian Salmon, roasted cauliflower salad and Kent Pumpkin salad.

AVC operates a number of Brisbane’s pubs and bars including Regatta Hotel, Riverland and Friday’s. It recently undertook the multimillion dollar renovation of Kings Beach Tavern on the Sunshine Coast.