The Nyngan: Emily and James Stanton renovate the 141-year-old pub with new boutique ‘vision’

A young couple has revitalised a rundown pub in the state’s outback. After less than three months of operations, the pub has been short-listed as a finalist in several of the hospitality industry’s top awards.

The Nyngan. Photo: Supplied.

In just under three months of operations, after a four-decade hiatus and a change of ownership, a young family has “revived” an outback pub and marked it as a top hospitality venue along the red dirt of the Mitchell Highway.

The Nyngan, owned by Emily and James Stanton, recently won the 2024 Diners Choice Award and has also been short-listed as a finalist for eight categories in the AHA NSW Awards for Excellence, which will be announced next month.

The pub has been nominated for best regional development, best regional local, best outdoor experience, best deluxe pub accommodation, best marketing strategy, people's choice award, individual hotel operator of the year and regional hotel of the year.

Ms Stanton told this publication she was “very excited” as the upcoming awards were highly regarded in the industry.

The couple purchased the 141-year-old pub in March 2023, originally intending to renovate the hotel for accommodation.

James and Emily Stanton at The Nyngan. Photo: Supplied

However, as the project took shape and their ideas kept growing, they expanded their vision and opened a boutique pub complete with cocktails, a full menu, play equipment, coffee and an ice-cream bar.

“It’s been very well accepted,” Ms Stanton said.

“People in Nyngan were crying out for a venue like this – majority of the locals were amazed.”

The Nyngan. Photo: Supplied.

She said when the former rundown pub opened its doors on July 1, it was packed out for several weeks as people were eager to try out the venue.

“We obviously had a big rush at the start, it was very wild … it was mayhem some days,” she said.

“But I feel like now that everyone’s found their feet, we’re able to take more in kitchen. We’re stabilising now and not so smashed with people constantly.”

Ms Stanton said the pub had reached its new normal, where they’re consistently busy but not as “hectic” as when it first opened.

The pub is opened from Tuesday to Sunday, and often has live music on the weekends.