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Australia’s first Nepalese pub to launch in Hobart’s inner city

A Hobart TikTok star will soon be launching an Australian-first in the place of a much-loved South Hobart pub. SEE WHAT’S COMING >>

A Hobart Tiktok star will soon be launching Australia’s very first Nepalese pub, which will be serving up Nepalese food, frothies, and festivals.

The Chowk will be open on Davey Street in October, and the occasion will be marked with a grand celebration by the Nepalese community.

Pub owner Kiran Thapa said the Nepalese people knew how to “celebrate hard”, with various cultural festivals dotting the calendar year back in Nepal.

Tik Tok star
Tik Tok star

Dr Thapa said he hoped to bring those events and festivities into Hobart through his pub, which will be changing its “vibe” every month to reflect a different festival.

“We are very resilient people because we have so many festivals that keep us resilient and happy, despite all the sufferings we have gone through,” Dr Thapa said.

“The Nepalese people are very resilient and hardworking. You may have seen us working in your hospitality venues and aged care homes. They work hard, but they celebrate hard too.”

Pub manager Sujan Aryal said he hoped ordinary Australians would also come down to the pub festival-time to see how the Nepalese party.

Mr Aryal said many Nepalese living in Tasmania dearly missed those moments of celebration, and that they hoped to reconnect them back with their roots.

Nepalese residents are opening The Chowk, the first Nepalese pub in Australia at the former Hotel SoHo. Picture Eddie Safarik.
Nepalese residents are opening The Chowk, the first Nepalese pub in Australia at the former Hotel SoHo. Picture Eddie Safarik.

“We want to celebrate and reconnect with our people back in our home country. They miss the culture, the festivals, and the food of course,” Mr Aryal said.

“Australian can come, join with us, celebrate, enjoy our food, enjoy our music, enjoy our culture.”

The pub will open for takeaways in early October, and they are currently planning to hold a full opening sometime around mid-October.

It will be opening up on 124 Davey Street, Hobart, where the Hotel SOHO used to be.

Beloved Hobart watering hole to shut its doors | September 27

It’s the end of an era with the infamous Hotel Soho closing on October 2, farewelling the long-running trend of $5 parmis for hungry uni students and relaxed boozy nights for young and old.

The Davey Street, Hobart pub had featured some cryptic Facebook posts recently saying “TWO MORE TIMES!!!” on September 19 and “ONE LAST TIME!!!” on Sunday before officially making the devastating announcement on Monday.

“THE TIME HAS COME. October 2ND will be the last time SOHO opens its doors.

“On behalf of the staff and management, we would like to thank everyone who has supported us over the years and we wish you all the very best.”

All eyes will be on this long-running pub with further comments made tantalising its’ devotees.

Breaking News Breaking News Hotel Soho 124 Davey Street Hobart. Knight Frank
Breaking News Breaking News Hotel Soho 124 Davey Street Hobart. Knight Frank

“A new adventure awaits here at 124 Davey Street. So stay tuned.”

Hobart real estate firm Knight Frank has the Davey Street property advertised for sale online with “price on application” and boasting a “long established, solid trading history”.

“Hotel Soho has been an essential part of the Hobart pub and entertainment scene for over 25 years and features a large and flexible floorplan over two levels.

“Instantly recognisable, with plenty of repeat clientele and a solid reputation.

“A long, flexible lease is offered to approved purchasers.

“Vendors motivated to sell!”

Five of the Best Schnitzels
Five of the Best Schnitzels
Breaking News Breaking News Hotel Soho 124 Davey Street Hobart. Knight Frank
Breaking News Breaking News Hotel Soho 124 Davey Street Hobart. Knight Frank

The bar, restaurant and function facility is renowned for its “exceptionally affordable meals” such as the massive chicken schnitzels and the “Parmageddon” which is a triple stacked traditional parmi with chips and salad and has featured on many a local’s social media account.

The pub’s colourful existence extended beyond the food and fun, with a kitchen fire in 2017 seeing three fire crews race out to contain it and smoke billowing out from the hotel’s top floor.

Facebook followers have already started to reach out to display their gratitude with Carol Franklin saying “Thank you to all concerned, great food, very friendly staff. Most of all the opportunity given to the musos who have performed there. So sad to see a great pub closing”.

Downcast fan Daniel Wright said “Well there goes our feast night” and Sharn Hitchins said “Thank you for supporting live music and providing delicious food, friendly staff, in a wonderful venue.”

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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/news/hobart-south/end-of-an-era-for-hotel-soho-which-is-closing-on-october-2/news-story/6f3eecc3d7265033aef27457eced09d5