Century old Cabramatta Hotel gets multimillion-dollar renovation

Millions have been spent upgrading a century old pub that’s a fixture of western Sydney, adding a beer garden, bistro and cocktail menu. CHECK OUT HOW IT LOOKS INSIDE.

Cabramatta Hotel before (left) and after its multimillion-dollar renovation. Picture: Cabramatta Hotel

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Cabramatta Hotel, an iconic pub that has been serving up cold beers opposite the train station for more than 100 years, has undergone a multimillion-dollar renovation intended to give it a new lease on life.

There’s an up-market bistro, a beer garden and fancier cocktails, but modernising the 131 year old landmark was a balancing trick between getting with the times and paying homage to its history.

An inside look at how Cabramatta Hotel looks now. Picture: (AAP IMAGE / Robert Pozo)

“There’s a lot of people where this was the first pub they had a drink in or met their girlfriends and now wives in,” Kevin Green said, 40, manager of the venue and a Wakeley local.

“We really wanted to maintain the essence of the venue.”

Cabramatta Hotel circa 1957. Picture: Cabramatta Hotel

Cabramatta Hotel on October 19, 2019. Picture: Robert Pozo

Redcape Hotel Group spent $7 million overhauling the pub earlier this year.

As they were gutting walls and putting in steel beams, the building gave up its secrets. Builders found an old doorway formerly used as an entrance; a dumbwaiter system used to send stock from the cellar to the second floor; and old tiles that nostalgic customers kept as mementos.

Cabramatta Hotel venue manager Kevin Green with an espresso martini and watermelon mojito. Picture: Robert Pozo

The pub’s bar, a fixture for most of its century-old life, has been reimagined as part of the renovation. Picture: Cabramatta Hotel

The renovation was an opportunity to make the pub more family friendly, Mr Green said, citing the additions of a bistro and outdoor beer garden.

“We’re seeing a lot more people and a lot more interest now that we’ve become a family friendly venue,” he said. “The restaurant has opened more opportunities.”

Taste of Shanghai’s Seek & Stone was brought in to appease the appetites of Cabramatta’s demographic, Mr Green said. Among its popular dishes are Barramundi in sweet and sour sauce, and Wonton dumplings drizzled in red chilli sauce.

Seek & Stone is the resident bistro serving up Northern Chinese cuisine. Picture: Cabramatta Hotel. Picture: Cabramatta Hotel

Meanwhile, the new beer garden has an area for families, and a roof that can be opened to enjoy the sunshine or closed to fend off less accommodating weather.

The bar has long been the centrepiece of Cabramatta Hotel. The fixture has been overhauled and has fancy cocktails resting on its benchtop.

One of the bar areas in Cabramatta Hotel. Picture: (AAP IMAGE / Robert Pozo)

Espresso martinis are on tap, while watermelon mojitos tinged with a lime slice are also on offer.

The revamped Cabramatta Hotel. Picture: Robert Pozo

Mr Green used the words ‘opulent’, ‘prestige’ and ‘sparkly gold’ to describe the transformation Cabramatta Hotel has undergone, but he maintains it has kept its blue collar character — the most popular drink on the menu remains the VB Schooner.
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