Irish pub Bridie O’Reilly’s goes out with a bang

BRUNSWICK’S faithful said slán to one of the city’s most-loved Irish pubs yesterday, as it gets set to make way for apartments.

Melbourne's original Irish pub, Bridie O'Reilly’s, throws a closing down party. Picture: Rob Leeson

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BRUNSWICK’S faithful said slán to one of the city’s most-loved Irish pubs yesterday.

Guinness flowed freely as $4.50 parmas flew out of the kitchen at Bridie O’Reilly’s Brunswick during its “last gig ever”.

The 16 bands that played from noon and into the late evening kept the atmosphere alive for nostalgic crowds that descended for one last pint, pub meal and dance.

David Jefferyes has been a local at Bridie O'Reilly’s for decades. Picture: Eugene Hyland

“It’s been a peak couple of weeks,” operator Rav Thomas said. “This is a venue that was hugely important for Victoria early on ... but also in recent history, it’s been what we think is a really good nightclub and live music venue.”

The Sydney Rd building, which has served as a public house for 163 years, is set
to be redeveloped into apartments. The pub opened as the Sarah Sands Hotel in 1854, and changed ownership in 1997 to become Bridie O’Reilly’s.

Jamey Peterson has worked at Bridie O’Reilly’s for two and a half years. Picture: Eugene Hyland

“A lot of regulars, old and new, everyone has poked their nose in at some stage,” Mr Thomas said of the final day. “As far as we go this is the decision of the owner of the building, not of us.

“We’re feeling the same as everyone else, we’re proud of what we’ve done here and proud to be the custodians of such an iconic venue. We’re excited to go out with one last bang.”

Lockwood & Co will host an auction at the site from 11am on April 10, with everything to go.