The Beach Hotel, a love letter to the characters of Newcastle’s beachside haven of Merewether, is reopening its historic doors on Friday 22 December at 4pm. Following an inspired renovation honouring Merewether’s decades of sun, salt and hearty community spirit, the beloved pub is welcoming locals back with a revitalised main bar, sun-soaked terrace and new coastal dining experience, Peregrin.

Hotelier Glenn Piper acquired the expansive multi-level institution, which has proudly stood a short stroll from the shoreline for over a century, in May 2022 and has spent the last eighteen months lovingly restoring the seaside icon, looking to Newcastle’s history as a place where steel city meets surf culture to inspire its future. The first stage of the new makeover, a retro takeaway inspired by the classic Australian milk bar — Larrie’s, opened earlier this year, nodding to the past while adding a contemporary edge. Now, The Beach Hotel’s main bar and upstairs restaurant will follow suit, creating a timeless space that feels familiar, yet fresh.

Piper, who grew up spending his summers surfing Merewether’s coastline with his family, said of the opening, “The Beach Hotel has always been so much more than a pub, it has been a gathering place for friends and families across Newcastle and the surrounding areas for generations, so it’s wonderful to be throwing open the doors to our community and inviting them to, once again, make it their home away from home.”

He continues: “With each venue at The Beach Hotel, the team and I have paid homage to the rich and storied history of Merewether. Larrie’s harks back to the local fish & chip shops of our youth; photographs, furnishings and even bricks collected from The Beach Hotel’s many eras have been given a fresh coat of paint and sit pride of place in the main bar; and finally, Peregrin — our top-floor dining venue — will play up the eclectic, diverse produce and people that have converged on this unique location throughout the decades.”

Local design practice, EJE Interiors, have peeled back the years of The Beach Hotel’s main bar to let the riches, memories, achievements, and great loves — hidden beneath the walls, breathe the salt air once again. Light and airy, the space mimics the elegant curves of seaside topography while incorporating metal touches that nod to Newcastle’s steel city legacy. A heritage saloon bar from the pub’s 1940’s Tooth & Co era has been brought back to life in a modern zinc expression, original tile floors have been polished to show the footprints and graffiti of decades past, original ceramics on the walls have been given a facelift and vintage photographs — donated by the community and the Merewether Surfboard Club — show off The Beach Hotel’s impeccable Art Deco surfing heritage.

Executive Chef, Adam Rust has similarly merged the old with the new in a menu of reimagined pub classics and flame-grilled fare reminiscent of backyard barbeques, all curated with a quintessentially Australian coastal twist. Think Potato Scallops with vinegar sea salt, homemade Sausage Rolls with a kick of chipotle ketchup, fresh Snapper Ceviche with cassava chips, jalapeno, lime and coconut, and Salmon Crudo with green goddess, cucumber, and chilli.

Diners can also choose from fresh takes on pub classics like a Deluxe Beef Burger topped with a pineapple fritter and mounds of onion rings and The Beach Hotel’s signature Beach Basket, brimming with barramundi, prawns, and half-shell scallops. Plus, a range of wood-fired pizzas, topped with cured meats and marinated veggies, available till late, plus a selection of Jack’s Creek steaks or miso-glazed eggplant, fresh off the grill.

The drinks list sees Merewether’s laidback beach philosophy taken to the next level. Signature cocktails like the Sea Swell, which sees gin paired with grapefruit, lemon and vanilla, or the Lychee Longboard — featuring blueberry vodka, lychee and pineapple — take inspiration from the pub’s ocean surrounds while the bar will also be slinging a dedicated margarita menu, alongside crisp local beers and Hunter wines.

Peregrin, which will officially open in January, takes its name from the Latin word for ‘traveller’ and honours a time when The Beach Hotel was the final stop on the Merewether Beach tram line. An ode to the historic meeting point between coastline and community in the form of an elevated bistro-style dining experience, Peregrin’s menu shines a spotlight on local produce sourced from the abundant Hunter Region. A traditional charcoal grill acts as the centrepiece of the vast open kitchen, while a sprawling terrace offers breathtaking ocean views, creating a space where every occasion is an opportunity for a feast — from a special event to a spontaneous gathering. Further details on the launch of Peregrin will be announced soon.

Open from Friday 22 December 2023, The Beach Hotel will be celebrating an action-packed first summer with a line-up of epic entertainment. With a strong focus on championing local Novocastrian talent, live music will take over the stage from Tuesday – Sunday while happy hours will be available from 4 – 6pm Monday to Friday.