After lying dormant for the better part of a decade, The Hopetoun is reportedly opening its doors to punters once again.
A stroll along Surry Hills’ backstreets reveals a goldmine of neighbourhood bars, cafes and pubs. From the beloved watering holes such as The Cricketers to casual eateries like Bar Ume, Don’t Tell Aunty and Sang by Mabasa, those who choose to get off the beaten track and explore beyond Crown Street are treated with an abundance of spots to drink and dine. But for anyone who has wandered past the corner of Bourke and Fitzroy Streets, you would have noticed a boarded-up pub taking up prime position.
The Hopetoun has a proud history, known as a live music destination for over 20 years in the heart of Surry Hills. Despite playing host to iconic international acts including the Chemical Brothers, Paul Kelly, Jet and even You Am I, the pub shut up shop in 2009 and has been unoccupied ever since.
That is, until now. In news just announced, The Hopetoun is slated to re-open and serve Sydney locals once again in 2020. The venue has been owned by Evangelos Patakas since 1997, with the pub forced to close 10 years ago due to an overwhelming number of unpaid fines relating to noise violations in a residential area. Patakas reveals the family-run pub will be restored to its former glory, with The Hopetoun set to return next year as a pub and bar.
However, the issues regarding noise complaints continue to plague the venue. Although the pub is set to re-open, the venue won’t be able to host live music performances in order to comply with residential noise restrictions. Although details about the timeline of the renovations and re-opening are yet to be released, we’ll keep you updated as soon as we hear more.
Can’t wait to grab a drink in the inner city? Check out our guide to The Best Bars to Visit in Surry Hills in 2019.