Dee Why Hotel: Historic pub reveals its $3m makeover
The renowned northern beaches’ hotel-owning family, the Bayfields, has just spent $3m to refresh the interior of its flagship pub. See the results.
A multimillion-dollar makeover of one the best known pubs on the northern beaches has been revealed.
The $3m revamp of the historic Dee Why Hotel was undertaken by the area’s best known pub owning families – the Bayfields.
The pub, in its current form, opened in 2010 on the ground floor of the Dee Why Grand apartment, commercial and retail complex on Pittwater Rd after the original hotel, built in 1930, was bulldozed.
The family, starting with the late Neville Bayfield, have owned the hotel since 1977.
Even though the 2010 version of the pub had a modern interiors, Neville’s sons, Mark and Wayne, and Wayne’s son, Kaine, reckoned its interior needed a substantial refresh.
And they should know.
The family, which also owns the Belrose Hotel, has massive experience in the pub industry.
It used to have The Newport Arms, Narrabeen Sands, and Newport Mirage on the northern beaches as well as the The Light Brigade at Woollahra and The Caringbah Hotel.
Kaine, the firm’s chief operating officer, the “significant transformation” of the Dee Why Hotel features retro finishes and a nostalgic nod to the pub’s family history.
A new main bar features baby blue and brown polka-dot carpets with wood panelling and glossy tiles in warm terracotta and chocolate tones. There is a bespoke timber and brass back bar display with pendant lighting.
The Bayfields have brought back “Mr B’s”, the name of its original sports bar from the 1990s, named after Neville.
The bar boasts at 10m long, the biggest TV sports wall on the northern beaches in a “retro” bar with “vibrant upholstery, bold carpet patterns and an energetic and social feel” with raised booths and high tables.
Kaine said the design features made the dark interior of the pub much brighter.
Pub goers will notice some colour changes with turmeric mustard, eucalyptus greens, pink sand and polished tiles along with natural timbers.
The hotel’s eatery, Jade’s, also received a makeover.
Named after Neville’s first grandchild, it’s described as a “lush emerald greenhouse inspired bistro and private event space”. It has a new, seasonal-based menu, but the pub has kept its popular weekly burger specials.
Kaine said the goal of the refurbishment was to offer locals an elevated pub experience while staying true to the venue’s roots.
“This is a locals’ pub at its core,” he said.
“Over the years, the Dee Why community has changed and as northern beaches’ locals ourselves, we wanted to create a pub experience that truly resonates with both long-time regulars and new visitors.
“We’ve restored original elements and injected life and playful energy into every corner.”
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Originally published as Dee Why Hotel: Historic pub reveals its $3m makeover
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