Cliff Wallis bought the building about two years ago and closed the business in May last year to begin renovations. 

The original plan was to reopen the hotel in time for Christmas last year, but structural issues throughout the building delayed the project by almost a year. 

“The hotel has been here since 1888, but it hasn’t been very well cared for over the years,” Mr Wallis said. 

“We particularly wanted to restore the heritage features of the building, especially the exterior, and return it to its former glory.”

The biggest change to the pub is the removal of the poker machines and the addition of a micro brewery.

Mr Wallis also owns the Sundeck Hotel in Perisher, but it is his first time establishing a brewery. He hopes to collaborate with local home brewers to get the operation off the ground. 

“Some of the best skilled brewers come from a home brewing background so I’ll be reaching out to them to get started,” he said. 

“Hopefully we’ll get a commercial brewer to help us out too, but we’re really testing the waters with this one.”

The hotel’s new craft beer culture means only independent beers from the surrounding regions, including Jindabyne, Canberra and Bruthen, will be on tap as opposed to big name beers.   

Mr Wallis said he wanted to shift how the business supported itself. 

“We are turning it from a run down pub into a much smarter hotel with a focus on food and accommodation,” he said. 

Four new hotel rooms have been completed upstairs and the original balcony has been replaced for guests to enjoy ocean views. In time another 10 hotel rooms will be built.

The restoration team has weaved the old and the new together, with modern lighting and features meeting the old world charm of one of Tathra’s oldest buildings. 

The new function and entertainment room keeps the memory of the old pub alive, with historic photos of the building and town adorning it’s recently built walls.