Interest up ‘tenfold’: Pubs, clubs, restaurants and boats expect bumper sales on Australia Day
The hospitality industry reports a huge Australia Day resurgence with pubs, clubs, boats and restaurants to pack out this long weekend as people are “voting with their stomachs” on whether to celebrate the day.
NSW
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Sydney’s publicans and restaurateurs claim the Australia Day buzz is back for the first time in years, with industry leaders saying event bookings and interest for the national day is up “tenfold.”
The owner of the Fortune of War Steven Speed, who claims to run Sydney’s oldest pub, said the excitement around Australia Day in 2025 was “going nuts” compared to previous years.
“Our phone has been ringing all week with people wanting to know what’s going on, I think it’ll be the biggest Australia Day we’ve had for a while,” he said.
“It hasn’t happened in a few years. The interest in Australia Day this year versus the past few years is tenfold.”
Peak hospitality body, Australian Restaurant & Cafe Association chief executive Wes Lambert agreed, saying people were “voting with their stomachs” to keep Australia Day on January 26.
“Restaurants around the country are reporting stronger interest than previous years – with an uptick in bookings for this Australia Day long weekend,” he said.
“It certainly is encouraging that the togetherness we are feeling on this Australia Day is translating into bums on seats in restaurants and cafes.”
The boom in public excitement to get out on Australia Day has spread across NSW.
Publican Alistair Flower owns several venues across NSW’s mid-north coast and said his pubs were expecting a busy weekend with a “real shift in what the day holistically represents”.
“There was certainly a sentiment a couple of years ago where if you ran any kind of retail or hospitality business, you were certainly questioning it but we feel there is a shift and there is an element of national pride,” he said.
“We are seeing a lot more pride for the nation, our last Anzac Day was the biggest we have ever done.”
On the harbour, TooUp Sailing said they were completely booked out while Sydney Harbour Specialists said almost all of their boats would be out in the water.
“We deal with roughly 80 boats and about 90 per cent of them will be out on the water,” a spokesman said.
Publican Steven Speed said people were getting behind Australia Day because they’re sick of hiding their national pride for political reasons.
“I think people are actually doing what they’ve wanted to do for years, but they’ve been too scared to do it politically,” he said.
“It’s not about celebrating the date of Australia Day. We are just celebrating the fantastic place that we live in.
“Even around the community you can see it, I’m walking around where I live and people have Australian flags on their cars and in their backyards.”
Popular dining venues Restaurant Hubert and Alberta’s Lounger were both fully booked out.
The Good Beer Company, owned by John Azar who runs several Sydney pubs such as the Keg & Brew in Surry Hills reported their “bookings are way up”.
“We’re celebrating, and we’re Australian and we are so fortunate to be in this country, regardless of political persuasion,” a spokeswomen said.
It's the same story at Clubs NSW venues across Sydney and the state. Cronulla RSL is pulling out all stops this January 26, hosting a thong throwing competition as well as pie and lamington eating contests.
“Clubs right across the state are preparing to welcome thousands of patrons through the doors today, and they have plenty of fun activities planned,” ClubsNSW chief executive Rebecca Riant said.
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Originally published as Interest up ‘tenfold’: Pubs, clubs, restaurants and boats expect bumper sales on Australia Day
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