Rooty Hill: Carousel Inn approved for $1.5m refurbishment

A new family-friendly bistro and garden bar are just some of the changes approved for a pub – bought by a Sydney hotel giant – in Sydney’s west. See the plans here.

Sydney pub giants Solotel Group are revamping the Carousel Inn at Rooty Hill.

A pub in Sydney’s west bought by a high-profile hotel group will undergo a makeover including a new family friendly bistro and garden bar to host live music events.

Blacktown Council has given Sydney pub giants Solotel Group the green light to renovate the Carousel Inn at Rooty Hill.

The Carousel Inn, Rooty Hill. Photo: Google Maps

The venue was snapped up by Solotel Group for about $64m in 2021, changing hands from its previous owners and fellow publicans, the Stanford family.

Solotel Group owns several venues across Sydney including the Albion Hotel in Parramatta and Opera Bar in Circular Quay.

The group’s plans for the Rooty Hill venue are described in documents as “minor structural demolition and refurbishments”, including a new beer garden and garden terrace, new children’s play area, outdoor terraces on either side of the new entry, new outdoor awnings and landscaping.

How the new entry could look.

A new function space is also proposed for the venue, along with interior remodels of the bistro.

In the carpark, 23 spots were proposed to be removed and replaced with 12 new ones, resulting in a total of 222 spaces.

The outside cladding of the venue itself was also proposed to be removed and replaced with timber and light coloured brick “to lift and contemporise the appearance and presentation of the hotel and improve patron experience” while also lessening heat absorption during summer.

Artists impression of the makeover.

The overall cost is estimated at $1,505,503.

The plans also state the Carousel Inn is expected to host music acts in the outdoor spaces of the venue, which will always be managed at an “acceptable” level.

Solotel Group chief executive Elliot Solomon said the company understood what the community wanted from the venue into the future.

“Our plans are all about making Carousel Inn a more accessible, modern and welcoming venue that’s tailored to our local families and community,” he said.

The Carousel Inn at Rooty Hill was bought in the hotel giant in 2021.

Musicians will perform regularly at the venue.

“We’re very excited about the new family-friendly bistro with two kids’ play areas and the light and lush outdoor Garden Bar that’s perfect for groups, after-work catch ups, or family get-togethers.

“Our adaptable new functions space is also going to be fantastic for a range of occasions, birthdays and engagements right through to weddings.”