After a run of high-profile sales, Wagga pubs are gentrifying to keep pace with a changing market.
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Six months after Romano’s part-owner Belinda King and her syndicate bought the iconic red building, she expected renovations would be complete within four weeks.
Inside Romano’s a TAB is being installed, a basement dining room is open, the laneway has been renovated to include a children’s play area and upstairs function rooms have been given a lick of paint.
“Romano’s used to cater to uni students and it had a nightclub, whereas now we attract sports fans, corporates and families,” Ms King said.
Within Romano’s, The Hampden bar has developed a “female niche” by boasting the widest spirit and liqueur range in the Riverina.
“The Hampden has developed a reputation for its cocktails and wine list, which is very female,” she said.
William Farrer publican and liquor accord secretary David Barnhill said there was a “good vibe” in the local industry but hoteliers would not rest on their laurels.
“The economy is strong and the population is tipped to go through the roof in the next 20 years,” Mr Barnhill said.
“In the next five years you'll see improvements in nearly every venue as everyone tries to tweak their offering.
“Everyone’s up against cheap takeaway alcohol, which hasn’t increased in price at the same pace as draught beer.
“There is certainly increased competition from bottle shops.”
The Duke of Kent is up for auction this month, joining the ranks of Romano’s Hotel, Palm and Pawn, and The Red Steer Hotel Motel; all of which changed hands in 2016.
Across the region, the Conapaira Hotel in Rankins Springs, Doodle Cooma Arms in Henty, and The Temora Hotel – reopened by Hawthorn AFL player Luke Breust – have all been traded
Duke of Kent publican Jack Egan said he was “not a keen seller” but hoped to take advantage of increased interest in country pubs from Sydney hoteliers weathering a metropolitan pub price bubble.
The Duke of Kent went for $2,295,000 in September 2007 – nine years and three months ago – but the weekly turnover is believed to have doubled since then.
Mr Egan said the biggest change in his time in the industry has been the decline of the “blue singlet drinker”.
“Brickies and truckies don't drink at pubs after work nearly as much since the introduction of .05 (blood alcohol concentration driving offence),” he said.
“Instead of catering to blokes knocking off after work, it’s mostly about people chasing a good meal and bottle of wine.”