The details
After several months and $3.5-million worth of renovations, West End’s iconic The Boundary Hotel is finally unveiling its brand-new look. The legendary watering hole was first built back in 1864, and until now it has only ever had three owners. Colin Macleod from Oz Pub Group is now the fourth to take responsibility for the old venue’s wellbeing, vowing to keep its history alive (he even sought approval for the make-over from the Pitt family, who ran the pub for 90 years) while simultaneously bringing the venue into the modern era. Colin’s vision for The Boundary Hotel’s new-look has taken cues from popular Sydney venues The Grounds of Alexandria and Coogee Pavilion, but some quintessentially Brisbane touches help maintain The Boundary Hotel’s storied charm. The hotel’s team recruited KP Architects to head up the 18-month design and build process, which has finally borne fruit this week.

The space
The extensive refurbishment extends far beyond a new lick of paint – The Boundary Hotel now boasts some fantastic new spaces to explore and inhabit each time you visit. The venue’s crown jewel is the new rooftop bar that overlooks the colourfully chic open-air beer garden The Backyard, which itself is accessed by stairs leading down a spruced up laneway bar or via a new entry point on Jane Street. The Public Bar remains as a charming stalwart for regulars, but a spruced-up interior and bar adds a fresh ambiance to the street-side segment. An on-site pizzeria boasts a sizeable pizza oven and plenty of nooks amongst the exposed-brick interior to sidle up with a slice, while a nearby gaming room is available for those looking to try their luck. Finally, The Boundary Hotel is debuting a multi-faceted events space, which can be divided into separate rooms to cater for bookings of various sizes. Each room is named after a former or current owner of the venue, ensuring the venue’s legacy is remembered. It’s not all new bells and whistles at The Boundary Hotel – several heritage aspects have been retained, including the building original steel beams made by Harvey Sargeant and Co. in 1928, and an eye-catching hand-painted XXXX sign, which remains from the hotel’s old drive-through days.

The food and drink
It’s not only The Boundary Hotel’s interiors that have been given an overhaul – a new look also means new food options. The pizzeria’s oven is fired up daily to serve six white and seven red-sauce pizzas, supplemented by a selection of Italian snacks such as bruschetta, slow-cooked meatballs, olive fritters and antipasto platters. The Laneway and Public Bar are amply stocked with tap beers, but vino lovers will also be treated to an extensive wine list encompassing sparkling, rosé, interesting reds and crisp whites. Upstairs, The Backyard’s kitchen is the go to for contemporary pub classics. Tough choices abound as the grub selection is stacked with succulent steaks, Asian-style roasted pork belly, sweet potato and spinach gnocchi, rotisserie chicken, po’ boys, wagyu-beef burgers, salads, desserts, and more. The Backyard bar is stocked to the brim with an array of various libations, including Pimm’s and espresso martinis off tap, made-to-order cocktails, craft and mainstream beers and wine.

Want to check out The Boundary Hotel’s makeover for yourself? Find all the important details in the Stumble Guide.