The Hawthorn Hotel near Swinburne University won’t re-open after coronavirus

One of Melbourne’s most loved pubs for uni students has closed for good – after operators feared it wouldn’t return to its glory days post-coronavirus. So, what’s next for the site?

The Hawthorn Hotel will not reopen its doors. Picture: 'The Hawthorn Hotel' Facebook page.

The party is over at a much-loved inner east pub popular with university students with operators blaming coronavirus for its demise.

But all hope might not be lost, with Swinburne University to look at other hospitality providers to fill the void left by the Hawthorn Hotel.

In a statement on the pub’s Facebook page, management said it would hand back the lease to the Burwood Rd building, operated by the Australian Venue Co, this month.

Nearby Swinburne University bought the site in September 2015, believed to be for $7.5 million, when the company had a five-year lease.

The university’s spokeswoman, Elizabeth Bardwell, said it was advised late last week of the operators’ decision to close the venue.

“Swinburne will engage with hospitality providers and potential tenants for this building, once the easing of the current Victorian COVID-19 restrictions allow us to progress further,” she said.

“We expect that interest in the property will be high, given its location and proximity to our campus.”

The Hawthorn Hotel is also near Glenferrie railway station and had been popular with university students and young partygoers since the early 2000s.

It then tailored to a different crowd with gaming-themed nights on Fridays in recent years.

“Many of our regulars will have fond memories of late nights and busy dancefloors at The Hawka,” the statement read.

“It is difficult for us to see when we might be able to offer this experience to people again under the new COVID-normal.

“Thank you to everyone who helped us to create so many fun memories over the past few years. We will miss you.”

Former regulars were encouraged to visit the pub’s nearby sister venues Beer Deluxe and The Auburn Hotel, also owned by Australian Venue Co, once coronavirus restrictions ease.

The announcement led to more than 6700 comments from partygoers.

Former international student Jonathan Uppiah, of Mauritus, said he had fond memories of uni students night on Tuesday and “getting a beer pretty much at any time of the day after lectures.”
“Thanks Hawka, You were a big part of my Melbourne experience.”

But Gianni Piccolo was more critical and remarked: “All these people crying about the closure of this pub — where have you been for the last 10 years? Joint’s been empty.”

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