The story
Brisbane’s pub culture has seen a strong resurgence in recent years. Large-scale overhauls of long-standing venues such as The Boundary Hotel in West End and Petrie Terrace’s The Lord Alfred – plus the arrival of new-age watering holes like The Valley’s Hotel Carrington and Osbourne Hotel, and The Montague Hotel in West End – indicate a booming market for uncomplicated and personable pub-style hospitality. The Normanby Hotel is the latest of Brisbane’s iconic pubs to get a sprucing up, spearheaded by the venue’s new owner Jaz Mooney of Pelathon Management Group (which also owns the Grand Central Hotel). Not content to maintain the status quo, Jaz and his team – which includes hospitality project specialists Winchester Group – instigated a top-to-bottom reconfiguration earlier this year, from the venue’s branding through to its bars and beer gardens. This overhaul has included a substantial $3-million redevelopment of the heritage-listed building which is being revealed in stages. Last week, The Normanby Hotel team unveiled stage one of the new look, which draws upon The Normanby’s genesis as a community meeting point and standing as an anchor for the local hospitality scene.

The space
BSPN Architecture was recruited to work on The Normanby’s new design, and the team chose to draw inspiration from the building’s past for its future look. The refurb started with the iconic 100-year-old fig tree in the hotel’s courtyard, which fell in 2016 as a result of severe storms. A new tree has been planted, symbolising a return to The Normanby’s roots and new growth. Surrounding the tree is a brand-new beer garden, which boasts one of the largest screens in Brisbane – perfect for catching marquee televised sporting fixtures. Just past the kitchen towards the car park sits the VIP Lounge, which has transformed the former restaurant space into a lush gaming area with its own bar attached. On the other side is The Deck, a lavish and sun-dappled lounge area where multi-coloured umbrellas and comfortable banquette seating provides the perfect setting for sunset cocktails. Beyond the kitchen is Dog House Dining – a classic bistro-style dining space boasting exposed brick, plush velvet seats and old-school decor. The canine-inspired naming pops up again upstairs, where The Hounds Lounge sits near the hotel’s Musgrave Street entrance. The name pays homage to the Normanby Hounds football club, whose clubhouse occupied the hotel for several decades. The Hounds Lounge is a refined spirits-oriented space, where top-shelf drops are enjoyed in the comfort of supple leather furnishings, while the football club’s history is displayed across the room’s decor. Next to the lounge is Hops Bar, a craft-beer focused space occupying the corner position overlooking the car park. This space will be given over to a single craft-beer brewer – currently 4 Pines Brewing – for an extended takeover. There are still a few additions to The Normanby Hotel in the works. The old front bar is being transformed into the Parlour Bar, a spacious bar area dedicated to private events. Works are also underway on the hotel’s mysterious third level, where several rooms are being re-worked into extra function spaces, each with their own style and identity.

The food and drink
Alongside the aesthetic overhauls, The Normanby Hotel team has retooled its menu. The fare is still recognisable and approachable, but these pub-style classics have been elevated a few notches, raising the stakes in terms of presentation and flavour. Starters such as popcorn chicken, cheeseburger spring rolls, crispy pork-belly bites, taco loaded fries and buffalo wings are perfect for group snacks. More substantial items include five kinds of burgers (one is technically a steak sandwich), eight pizza varieties, a short selection of pasta dishes, salads and big plates including chicken schnitzel, porchetta, and beer-battered fish and chips. Steak lovers are still catered for, with carnivore-friendly cuts such as rump, wagyu rib fillets and t-bones available with your choice of sauce. The drinks menu is similarly diverse, with an extensive list of mainstream and craft beers available in bottles or draught, alongside wines off tap and a host of cocktails.

The Normanby Hotel is now open to the public, though more exciting aspects are yet to be unveiled. Head to the Stumble Guide for more details.