Balmain’s historic pub culture is transforming as struggling hotel leases top floor to call centre

EMPTY nesters from the upper north shore, businesses kicked out of the CBD by the state government and the spread of small bars are changing the face of Balmain’s famous pub culture.

The Heritage-listed Exchange Hotel at Balmain, a pub since the late 1800s, is transforming into a venue for multiple businesses.

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EMPTY nesters from the upper north shore, businesses kicked out of the CBD by the state government and the spread of small bars are changing the face of Balmain’s famous pub culture.

One struggling hotel has leased its top floors out to a travel company and is transforming the ground floor into a cheese and wine bar.

But other publicans on the peninsula insist that hotels focusing on good food, good service and that play a role in the community continue to thrive.

A property expert said some hotels have the potential to “unlock multiple income streams” by being more than just a pub.

Balmain’s old school pubs are being replaced by wine and cheese bars.

Last year the 132-year-old Exchange Hotel on Beattie St, closed its doors after being sold in July to investors headed by Sydney businessman Jon Adgemis.

It was predicted to sell for $7 million, but ended up going for about $5.5 million.

In December the Si Travel Group moved its 45 employees into The Exchange Hotel’s first floor. As well as administrative staff, it also operate a call centre where a restaurant used to be. Si Travel is also providing a yoga room and sleep pods for its staff.

The struggling Exchange Hotel at Balmain, a pub since the late 1800s, leased out its top two floors to a travel company for office space and a call centre.

At ground level, Sydney model Cheyenne Tozzi has a fashion design studio where she and her staff will work on her new clothing label The Code.

A wine and cheese bar, to be called Hancock & Co will open next month in the old public bar where schooners of Tooheys New and Reschs pilsener were once pulled.

The property agent who organised the sale to Mr Adgemis said changes in the local population demographic are influencing the evolution of the pub culture.

Chef Neil Perry, left, with businessman Jon Adgemis, who bought into the Exchange Hotel in Balmain last year.

The Town Hall Hotel, Balmain. Picture: Craig Wilson

Miron Solomons, from Colliers International, suggested that cashed-up empty nesters are moving to the peninsula from the north shore for lifestyle reasons.

“Turramurra, Pymble, all these beautiful suburbs are a little bit boring for some of these empty nesters. They can’t go out at 9pm and have a cup of coffee.

“Some people don’t want to go to a beer hall anymore. Those empty nesters would not have a problem having a beautiful meal in a gastro-style pub. There’s plenty to choose from in Balmain

Interior of the Town Hall Hotel at Balmain.

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“There is a beautiful tradition around some of those heritage buildings and the pubs within them, but there is also room for a change to what’s on offer.”

Mr Solomons said businesses uprooted from the CBD after the State Government acquired their buildings to make way for the Sydney Metro train line and the South East Light Rail, are looking for new premises in places like Balmain.

“Places like Surry Hills and Pyrmont are already packed,” he said.

Publican at popular Dicks Hotel in Beattie St for 12 years, Paul Cass, said the proliferation of small bars on the peninsula were competing for customers with established hotels.

“They are popping up all over the place and are attracting some of the pubs’ clientele,” Mr Cass said.

“There are pubs on the peninsula that are still doing well because they provide great service, great food and are community based.

Dick's Hotel in Balmain has one of the Inner West's best beer gardens.

“We sponsor sporting clubs like Balmain Rowing and are deeply involved in the community here.”

Darcy Byrne, a Labor mayor of the former Leichhardt Council and running for Inner West Council in September, has been lobbying the Government to better promote the peninsula as a tourist destination.

“Balmain and Rozelle are still among the best pub destinations in Australia and pubs, bars and restaurants are absolutely crucial to the revitalisation of the area,” Mr Byrne said.

“Spending patterns show that pubs and bars remain a major strength of our local economy and we must draw on that to help boost all main street businesses.

“We are famous for having more pubs per square metre than any other place. We must protect that heritage.

“I will fight tooth and nail to prevent any of these much loved cultural institutions closing their doors or being converted into flats.”

Mr Byrne said he wanted to bring together publicans, small bar owners and restaurateurs to work with the council to revitalise the area’s night life.

The Unity Hall Hotel at Balmain.

FOR SALE

The Balmain pub transformation comes as the hotel industry online news site, The Shout, reported that the Balmain Pub Group had sold the Town Hall Hotel on Darling St after buying it about 12 months ago and giving it a midyear refurbishment.

Balmain Pub Group CEO Nick Wills was contacted for confirmation, but has not returned calls.

The Unity Hall Hotel, also on Darling St, has the “for sale” sign up. The Australian Pub Fund, made up of businessman John Singleton, former Qantas chief Geoff Dixon and investment banker Mark Carnegie, wants to offload the hotel, famous for being the site where the first Labor Party branch was formed.