The cedar-getters were the first Europeans in the Jamberoo Valley, coming in as early as 1810, but it wasn’t until the land grants given out by Governors from the early 1820s, that the Jamberoo Valley developed beyond rough and ready loggers’ camps.

Developing into a bustling community based on timber and agriculture, it was Allowrie Street’s Commercial Hotel that was ultimately the only survivor of a trio of inns that had operated in the area. Built in 1857 by a gentleman called John Tate, the first Licensee was James Shaw, and under a range of proprietors and incarnations it has serviced the local community to this day.

In the mid 1860’s Walter Curry became the Licensee of what was still known as the Commercial Hotel. During his tenure, it was his relationship with the man known as the father of Federation, Henry Parkes that saw the very popular political figure for the time deliver a speech in the pub. The catalyst for the address, was apparently to appease the Catholic members of his constituency, made necessary as result of his famous “Kiama Speech” post the attempted assassination of Queen Victoria’s son, Prince Alfred in 1868. It seems that Parkes damnation of the Irish in the speech, a consequence of the Prince’s assailant, William O’Farrell being a Fenian, outraged the Catholics.

“Renamed the Jamberoo Pub by current owners, the Warren family, it has been owned and operated by them since the mid-1980’s.“

Between 1920 and 1936, the pub had no less that twelve different licensees, one of these being Havelock Prior, who’s family still reside in the village. In 1936 Gordon Tate became the proprietor and it’s fair to say he played a significant role in helping the grand old pub dodge a bullet in 1939.

It was then that the court refused an application made by a Sergeant F. Dibden, the District Licensing Inspector at the time, for an order for demolition of the only hotel at Jamberoo. The application included plans for the erection of a modern hotel in brick or concrete, containing fifteen bedrooms. Tate and the owner M. J. O’Gorman were successful in the court hearing, presenting a vigorous opposition to the application.

In 1953, it was a flamboyant and sometimes temperamental opera singer, Ivor Sheridan, who was the publican responsible for giving the pub its English Tudor appearance. The larger-than-life character, who became known as the singing publican, along with his brother Len, brought the hotel in the early 1950’s. They renovated what was then a typical two-storied weatherboard pub, with obligatory balcony, into the Tudor style that still trades today.

Renamed the Jamberoo Pub by current owners, the Warren family, it has been owned and operated by them since the mid-1980’s. The pub has only four poker machines and is filled with memorabilia, including a section dedicated to the late and great Aussie soccer icon Johnny Warren. Jamie, the current Licensee is the former Socceroo’s nephew and there is a heartfelt pride in Johnny’s ties to his family.

In its current incarnation, whilst maintaining the same appearance created by the Samuel brothers, the pub is now well known for its support of live music and the local community. The pub now has nine accommodation rooms; constructed in 1997, and a new motel section with fifteen rooms at the rear of the building. There have been some clever and empathetic internal modifications, offering exceptional family dining facilities along with a beer garden out the back.

Most of the old pub’s trade now comes from weekend visitors, the Warren’s primary and consistent goal is to offer great food, exceptional tap beer along with top quality service.