Built in 1889, the Heritage Hotel has seen key moments of the Black Diamond District’s history. Trading as the Bulli Family Hotel, the pub was central to the social life of the local miners. Over the next century, the pub would expand, change ownership and close in 1976 to reopen again in 1984. The venue was heritage listed in 1999 and today, the pub still serves as a watering hole for the Bulli community.
Rowan Lancaster took on the role of general manager a little over a year ago and has worked consciously with the owners and staff to breathe new life into the venue.
“When I first came on, the demographic was still very much of an old school pub. It was the same regulars that would come in every day, drink their happy hour beers, they’d go home and the pub would be empty by eight o’clock. I don’t want to disregard those people because they are the reason the pub is still here but I want to make sure that everyone who comes in is considered a local.”
Part of this effort has been the numerous renovations the pub has undergone. The team has worked hard to retain the beautiful sense of history in the venue while updating the spaces to accommodate everyone, from families enjoying meals or friends swinging through to grab a cocktail.
“My aim is to open the pub up to everyone and make sure that everyone, when they walk in the door, they feel like there is a space for them. We have the beer garden outside which has been done up and looks gorgeous, we have the front bar and the public bar inside so I think there is a spot for everyone,” said Rowan.
While centrally located and hard to miss, with the beautiful Victorian-era exterior of the pub facing out into the street, the Heritage Hotel is one of the businesses in the Bulli district that is still looking for a little extra love.
“It’s good to have so much traffic come past but it’s still treated as the gateway to the northern suburbs. We’ve got some amazing cafes, amazing bakeries and we’ve got some really cool venues and I think people are missing out because they’re just driving past,” said Rowan.
Perhaps something that’s keeping people away, is the rumoured ghost stories. Regulars at the pub might indulge in some tales about how the pub is haunted. However, the team at the Heritage maintains that with a pub that’s around 140 years old, there’s bound to be little quirks in the building; it does not mean it’s haunted!
“Look, I’m not saying that the stories aren’t true but I personally have not experienced any of them. Maybe we could have some ghost hunters come through one day but until then, I can’t comment,” said Rowan.
While they can’t promise ghosts, there’s still plenty on offer at the Heritage! The pub and other Bulli businesses, are encouraging people to stop in and experience everything that the area has to offer, including live music events.
“We’re focusing on building our music venue side of the pub, getting it back where it used to be 10 or 15 years ago. Right now, we have live music out in the courtyard and DJs on Fridays and Saturdays. We want to keep people entertained and try and bring back that feeling of live music, which has been a little neglected,” said Rowan.
Next time you find yourself driving through Bulli, consider stopping into the Heritage where you’ll be treated as a local.
Visit Heritage Hotel at 240 Princes Hwy, Bulli
We’d love to send you occassional news and updates of happenings along the Coal Coast to your inbox!
We’d love to send some occasional news and updates of happenings along our Coal Coast to your inbox!
