West Thebarton Hotel announces closure date ‘for the greater good’

A beloved historic Adelaide pub is getting ready to close its doors permanently – a decision that has disappointed both owner and punters.

Regular customer, Chris Leong at the West Thebarton Hotel that’s closing down. Picture: Matt Loxton

The “legendary” West Thebarton Hotel will close its doors for good in less than a week, bidding adieu to an era of memories.

Operators of the heritage-listed hotel were given until mid-year to close shop, so it can be bulldozed as part of the North-South Corridor upgrade.

But they have decided to hang their hats early, announcing the doors will shut for the last time at 6am on Monday, March 10.

Built in the 1880s, the hotel was refurbished with an Art Deco-inspired facelift in the 1940s-50s, according to a West Torrens Council review, and was awarded local heritage status in the 1990s.

The West Thebarton Hotel has put up signs thanking patrons ahead of its coming closure. Picture: Sam Lowe

Since the news broke of its closure, hundreds shared their sentimental memories on social media, from the groups that once called it their local “watering hole”, to the kids that grew up reading The Phantom comics while drinking a raspberry post mix.

“It was a legendary pub,” one disappointed punter said.

“I drank here back in 1988 before a Jimmy Barnes concert. Met Greg Whittlesea, the ‘88 Magarey Medallist. So sad it has to go but you can’t stop progress,” another commenter said, lamenting his fond memories made at the ‘West Thebby’.

Chris Leong, 79, has been a regular at the West Thebby for more than a decade, often partaking in some after-work drinks on a Friday evening with his staff.

West Thebarton Hotel. Picture: Tim Joy

Mr Leong runs a business just a short distance from the hotel called MultiScreen, and said that he, along with his other work regulars, would “disappointingly” have to find somewhere else to go.

“There’s nowhere else like this,” he said.

“It’s the best hamburger place in town … but also $4 for a house white (wine) on a Friday happy hour, it’s just amazing.”

Mr Leong said he’d probably end up going to the Southwark Hotel, but it wouldn’t be the same.

West Thebarton Hotel business owner Arthur Balayannis said it was disappointing news, but he and the staff understood the significance of the development.

“It’s beyond our control, and of course we’re disappointed,” Mr Balayannis said.

Plans for the Torrens to Darlington Project at the intersection of South Rd and West Thebarton Rd show the West Thebarton Hotel would be demolished and replaced with green space. Picture: Department of Infrastructure and Transport

“However, it’s a situation which is a part of progress, and it’s for the greater good.”

Under design plans for the $15.4bn River Torrens to Darlington Project, meant to minimise congestion on South Rd, the land the pub and live music venue sits on will be cleared for road expansion to accommodate the Northern Tunnels.

A Department for Infrastructure and Transport spokesman said there was no demolition date booked in but they “envisage it would be done by the end of the year”.

Originally published as West Thebarton Hotel announces closure date ‘for the greater good’