Larrikin Sydney publican Brian Powell, owner of the White Horse, dead at 82

When Brian Powell ruled the city’s night-life, female police officers danced on tables at his venues while gangsters like ‘Neddy’ Smith watched on. Mark Morri pays tribute to one of Sydney’s last great publicans.

Publican Brian Powell is being remembered as one of the last great publicans in Sydney.

One of Sydney’s great larrikins and old-fashioned publicans, Brian Powell, has died at the age of 82.

Born and bred in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, “Puddin”, as he was known, started his journey as a hotelier when he acquired a share in the Clovelly Hotel in 1978 before buying it outright in 1985.

It quickly became the favoured watering hole of many of his beloved Roosters rugby league players including Russell Fairfax and Ian Schubert, who would celebrate or lick their wounds with Powell and his mates.

In 1986 Powell purchased the inner city White Horse Hotel in Surry Hills, where he managed to make it not only one of the favoured drinking holes for the likes of gangsters such as Stan the Man, Neddy Smith and his crew but one of the best live entertainment venues of the ‘80s and ‘90s.

Former footballer Ian Schubert, nickname Shoey, was a regular at Powell’s venues.

He was often at the Clovelly Hotel with Eastern Suburbs rugby league glamour boy Russell Fairfax (left).

“Brian was what you would call an old-school publican,’’ broadcaster Ray Hadley, a good friend and golfing buddy, said.

“He had hundreds of stories and was fantastic company, fiercely loyal if he liked you but didn’t suffer fools and could rub some people up the wrong way. He will be sorely missed.”

Ray Hadley has paid tribute. Picture Thomas Lisson

Powell loved music and quickly employed some of Sydney’s best musicians, especially piano playing singers, like Terry King, Ashley Ball, Norm Erskine and Geoff Barry who had the place hoping from hopping from Thursday through to Sunday night.

“As a venue, it was one of the best places to play back then,” piano player Geoff Barry said.

In 1986, Powell bought the White Horse Hotel in Surry Hills, which became a haven for some of Sydney’s most colourful characters.

Powell also ran the Shelbourne Hotel.

“Brian was the centre of it all. He was a larger than life character who made things happen.

“I remember he convinced some young female police officers in uniform to get up on the piano and dance, and there was another time he got another entertainer, Dave Fraser to get a police horse halfway in the front door before it was decided it wasn't such a good idea.”

After telling one of his customers he had bought a mid-life Harley Davidson, Powell, a few drinks down, decided he would let the whole pub see his new purchase.

Arthur Stanley ‘Neddy’ Smith in his prime in 1976. Picture: NSW Police

And Neddy in 1999 after being found not guilty of murder. He was a mainstay at the inner city establishment, the White Horse. Picture: NSW Police

“He disappeared and next minute there he is, riding the thing through the pub with a huge grin on his face,” said Barry.

An instinctive publican, he managed to bring the young crowd in with the piano playing concept and karaoke which was all the rage back then but still managed to keep the older crowd on a Saturday having crooners like Norman Erskine and Joe Martin playing.

Singer Norman Erskine helped bring in crowds to the pub.

Piano Man Geoff Barry, who had the place hopping from Thursday through to Sunday. Picture: Supplied

“It’s great having those young ones in, but they drink lolly water stuff half the time and are pissed on three drinks,” he would often say.

“The hardened drinkers come in after the races to hear the old tunes and they stand at the bar and drink all night and spend a lot more money.’’

Hadley fondly remembers how the changing times would bring a bit of a smirk to his face.

“When we talked about the introduction of Responsible Service of Alcohol guidelines, ‘Pud’ would just look at me and say, ‘You know if I had to throw out the drunks, I’d be broke’,’’ Hadley said.

The White Horse Hotel in Crown St, Surry Hills, Sydney.

Despite his affection for the White Horse it was decided with his son Jason that it was time to expand and move into the Darling Harbour district, where they owned a few licensed premises.

They totally rebuilt the Shelbourne Hotel before he retired to the Gold Coast, leaving the operation of the hotel to Jason.

He is also survived by his wife Cheryl, his son Jason and daughters Stacey and Kelli.

Powell died on May 30. A service will be held at 12.30pm on June 11 at Allambe Memorial Park in Nerang, Queensland.

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Originally published as Larrikin Sydney publican Brian Powell, owner of the White Horse, dead at 82