Renovations underway at the site of the historic Vic Hotel in Smith Street Mall

Beer appears to finally be making a return to the site of Darwin’s historic Vic Hotel, almost seven years after the 19th century pub shut its doors in the Darwin Mall.

BEER appears to be making a return to the site of Darwin’s historic Victoria Hotel, almost seven years after the 19th century pub shut its doors in the Mall.

Renovations and construction work is underway inside the pub, with images appearing to show a new beer tap and dining tables and chairs inside the building, which sits at the centre of the Smith Street Mall.

But mystery surrounds whether the iconic watering hole will return in all its glory or if the building will be re-purposed or rebranded.

New beer taps appear to have been installed at the site of the iconic Victoria Hotel in Darwin.

One person familiar with the renovation work, who did not want to be named, said the fit-out was for a hospitality venue.

“They’ve still got the licence for a hospitality venue so you can bank on it being a pub or a cafe,” he said.

Renovations are underway at the site of The Vic in the Smith Street Mall.

The Paspaley Group, which owns the iconic property, was contacted but declined to comment.

First opened by Ellen Ryan in 1890 during the gold rush era, The Vic catered to Darwin’s surging population.

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The pub stood the test of time, surviving three cyclones – including Cyclone Tracy in 1974 – and the bombing of Darwin in 1942.

But in May 2011, The Vic was put on the market after going into receivership because of financial difficulties, and briefly closed its doors.

Then in October 2014, the owners announced that the hotel was shutting up shop due to “financial hardship”.

The historic Victoria Hotel survived three cyclones and the bombing of Darwin in 1942. Picture: Supplied.

Co-owner at the time Andrew Chigwidden said in a statement that: “The hotel in the last two years struggled to get market share due to its geographical position in Smith Street Mall as a destination hotel, a lack of a suitable downstairs smoking area has also had a massive negative commercial impact on the viability (and) the social ambience of the hotel.”

Nine News Darwin reported $750,000 was owed and the hotel had more than 50 creditors including the landlord, tax office, local entertainers and suppliers.

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