The Manly Hotel Archives

The Manly Hotel Unveils Transformed Spaces After Reopening

After recently reopening its doors to the public, the iconic Manly Hotel has finally revealed its transformed spaces. The renovated venue showcases a modern aesthetic whilst preserving its historic charm.

Read: The Manly Hotel Celebrates Its Centennial with $7M Renovation

The hotel, which has been a fixture in the Manly community for exactly 100 years in 2024, was recently taken over by hospitality group Endeavour and has undergone a $7 million revamp.

The refurbished hotel boasts an impressive 54 taps across five new bars, offering patrons an extensive selection of beverages.

The hotel’s new design incorporates natural elements, with the designers adding lush greenery throughout the various bar spaces to create a fresh, inviting atmosphere. The iconic Manly bell has also been preserved and will take pride of place within the revamped hotel.

In addition to the expanded bar offerings, the venue now features a full-service restaurant with an à la carte menu, a sprawling terrace dining area, a lively sports bar, and over 20 accommodation rooms.

A representative for the hotel stated that they have been listening closely to the local community to ensure they create the perfect environment for them. They expressed confidence that they have hit all the right notes and can’t wait for everyone to experience the new and improved venue.

The hotel will soon introduce the ‘Manly Seafood Tower’ (Photo credit: The Manly Hotel/Instagram)

The chefs worked tirelessly to develop the opening menu, which features a range of delectable offerings. Sneak peeks shared on the hotel’s social media channels have already got locals salivating, with mouth-watering images of their “Manly Seafood Tower” and various steak options.

Read: Fresh Catch: Manly Boathouse Launches New Seafood Market The Trawler

With its revamped interior and updated amenities, the Hotel has positioned itself to remain an enduring destination for both locals and visitors alike. By skillfully blending contemporary style with nods to its storied past, the iconic venue aims to uphold its reputation as a cherished gathering place for years to come.

Follow them on Facebook on Facebook and Instagram for further updates.

Published 15-April-2024

The Manly Hotel Celebrates Its Centennial with $7M Renovation

The historic Manly Hotel is undergoing a $7-million renovation and expansion ahead of its 100th anniversary celebrations this year. The historic seaside pub, owned by The Endeavour Group, will reopen in late March or early April with five new bars, 50 taps, a restaurant, gaming room, courtyard, and more.

The Manly Hotel upgrade led by hospitality giant

After taking over The Manly Hotel in 2021, The Endeavour Group is leading the venue’s revitalization. The Australian hospitality corporation already operates over 330 venues across the country. The renovation project began last March and is on track for completion this spring.

When finished, The Manly will feature five bars with 54 taps in total, a full-service restaurant with an a la carte menu, al fresco terrace dining, an outdoor courtyard, a dedicated sports bar, over 20 rooms of accommodations, a gaming lounge, and a bottle shop. The variety of offerings aims to appeal to a wide patronage.

Community support for historic pub

According to Manly Hotel manager Antoinette Simic, the bayside venue has always been the “heart of the community” with a loyal local following. She says the community response on social media during the renovation has been “overwhelming” and buzzing with excitement. The goal is to make patrons feel part of the iconic pub’s history.

The extensive renovations have also created approximately 50 new employment opportunities at The Manly. Recruitment is underway to fill the new roles ahead of the reopening.

The newly renovated Manly Hotel plans special events and offerings to celebrate its 100th birthday this year. After half-a-century under the McDonald family, the pub will welcome its next century with The Endeavour Group at the helm.

Published 21-February-2024

Here Are The New Developments Coming To Manly

Photo credit: Google Street View

The future looks bright for Manly, with four developments currently underway that will help boost tourism in the bayside suburb. Here are the new residential developments as well as long-standing community landmarks with major upgrades underway, set to transform Manly in the near future.

Read: Manly Median House Price Grows By 16% As Buyers Seek the Sea Amidst Lockdown Lifestyle Changes

The Manly Hotel

The Endeavour Group, the company that owns BWS, ALH Hotels, Dan Murphy’s and more, has taken over the hotel in October 2021 and signed a 50-year lease to manage the venue. Endeavour Group revealed its plans to expand its hotel operations following its split from Woolworths.

Established in 1955, The Manly Hotel has changed hands for the first time this year, after the original owners, the McDonald family, announced that they will no longer renew the lease to the hotel.

It will undergo extensive renovations and upgrades, though there is no exact date yet as to when the works would begin. Endeavour Group has big plans for the iconic hotel and sees it as a jewel in their extensive hotel holding.

Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club

Artist’s impression of the new club (Photo credit: https://mbtbc.com.au/)

Known as one of the most popular venues in the bayside, Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club is currently in its biggest facelift yet in its 56-year history. Major upgrades include an extension of the clubhouse and adding a deck overlooking the harbour. Award-winning construction team Ashley Cooper Construction was tasked to do the refurbishment for the club.

Photo credit: Ashley Cooper Construction/Facebook

The revamp was needed to cater for the club’s significant growth and development over the past two years. Now, the club’s membership has reached more than 11,000. As the venue itself expands, the club is also planning to double its staff.

191 Stratton

DeMartini Fletcher’s residential development at 191 Stratton Tce, Manly is a four-storey residential complex with 42-units and retail space. Amenities include a resort-style pool, BBQ area and wellness gym. A rooftop recreation deck boasting stunning bay views is also available for all residents.

Works have been delayed following issues with some locals, but the developer agreed to tweak certain elements of the designs and lower down the number of units and retail space. The construction of 191 Stratton is now in full swing as construction officially started in July 2021.

The Village Manly

A project of The Village Retirement Group and Anglicare Southern Queensland, The Village Manly is a 100-unit luxury retirement village in two four-storey and two six-storey buildings.

Located next to the Edwin Marsden Tooth Memorial Home (Lota House), The Village Manly will be done in two stages. Stage 1 will be for the 46 apartments (23 apartments for each building) and Stage 2 for the communal facilities for residents.

Brisbane City Council initially rejected the project in late 2019 but the Planning and Environment Court overturned the decision after the developers made a few changes in their proposal and reduced the number of units.

Works on Stage 1 of The Village Manly is set to be complete between September 2022 and March 2023.

Endeavour Group Takes Over The Manly Hotel

Endeavour Group, the company behind ALH Hotels, Dan Murphy’s, and BWS, is set to run The Manly Hotel beginning October 2021. They will hold a 50-year lease on the venue that used to be managed by the McDonald family.

Under the new management, The Manly Hotel will undergo renovations and upgrades that will see the longstanding venue revitalised to its former glory. The company will also retain the existing staff.

In early 2021, the McDonald family, who has been the steward of hotel since the 1970s, announced that they will not renew their lease after more than a year of mulling over their opportunities.

Sandy McDonald, who inherited the stewardship of the Cambridge Parade venue from his parents, Stewart and Dulcie McDonald, took The Manly Hotel to greater heights as an award-winning venue.

Highlights

Endeavour Group now holds a 50-year lease to The Manly Hotel in Cambridge Parade.
Endeavour Group has major plans to expand its hotel operations after splitting with Woolworths.
The McDonald family, which used to run the hotel, will continue to be a presence in the bayside hotel business at the Manly Marina Cove Hotel.

In 2013, Mr McDonald won the prestigious Queensland Hotels Association Hotelier of the Year. Three years later, his name entered into the association as a life member in 2016.

However, the McDonald family will remain a presence in the bayside as they manage the Manly Marina Cove Hotel at the Royal Esplanade.

Meanwhile, the Endeavour Group’s acquisition of the hotel and pub comes as the company finalised its separation from Woolworths. Bruce Mathieson, the company’s major shareholder, said that they will no longer be constrained to expand following the changes to their business.

Endeavour’s new chief executive Steve Donohue said that they will be focusing on the growth of their hotels division in the coming years.

The Manly Hotel: McDonald Family Ends Lease After 51 Years

A year after celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Manly Hotel at the Manly Harbour, siblings Jenny Bradley, Doug and Sandy McDonald sadly announced that they are leaving the iconic property, which has been managed by their family for half a century.

Sandy confirmed they will no longer renew their lease to The Manly Hotel come springtime after a year of mulling over moving on. He said that the owner of the property has a different plan but he believes that the site on Cambridge Parade will remain a hotel despite the changes.

When the McDonald Family Took Over

In 1970, Stewart and Dulcie McDonald, the trio’s parents, took over the hotel’s license. Not long after that, they passed on the management to three of their seven adult children.

Jenny, Doug and Sandy succeeded in continuing their parents’ legacy by employing the same loyal staff. Some of their employees have been with the family for at least three decades.

Over the years, Sandy said that they’ve experienced competition growing in this bayside precinct, as well as the increase of women patrons with better earning capacity than men. The hotel also changed as the times changed, making the facilities more accessible for everyone, including those with special needs.

The family also improved the Clipper Lounge Gaming Room and introduced new concepts and for entertaining their patrons.

Time to Move On

Inspite their wonderful journey, the McDonald siblings said that it was time to move on. Whilst it’s natural to feel sad about letting go of the establishment that has molded their family’s history, as well as the community’s history, the siblings said they are now ready to focus on something else.

Word of the McDonald’s exit has spread on social media.

“Shame it’s a great local, I have been going there for 41 years. It will get a new lease of life I’m sure. All the very best Sandy and family enjoy your retirement,” one local said.

“All the best in your retirement Sandy. It was a pleasure knowing you for all those years at the Manly hotel and brother Doug the place will never be the same again. Congratulations on 51 years. Not many people last that long.”

“My grandad Daniel Teer had his own seat with his name on it in your pub at the bar. My Grandad spend many many many years at the Manly Hotel. You guys to him were family and vise versa.”

The McDonald siblings will be serving their guests the last drinks at The Manly Hotel on 30 Sept 2021.

Paint and Drink Your Cares Away at The Manly Hotel’s Brush & Bubbles Event

Whether you’re in a creative rut or just game for a night out with friends, a boozy art class can be quite a different experience. The latest bar scene trend combines a love for wine and an appreciation for arts and you can enjoy this at The Manly Hotel’s Brush and Bubbles event.

Gather your mates and book a spot for this fun paint and drink experience. The Manly Hotel‘s Brush and Bubbles will take place on Thursday, the 22nd of Aug 2019, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

If you’ve got zero talent on painting, it’s not a problem. The whole point of Brush & Bubbles is to de-stress. It would be an absolute bonus, however, if you do end up recreating a Van Gogh.

Julie Martin, the art teacher from Bad Jelly’s Art Classes, will be at the event to see to it that you produce art that’s worthy to be proudly displayed in your living room.

Don’t worry about bringing any art materials as these will be supplied during the event. All you need to do is to pay the event fee and show up ready to unleash your inner artist and look forward to enjoying a drink or two.

The Manly Hotel will serve personal cheese platters that should perfectly go with the bubbly while you work. With such a casual and relaxing set up, you might even surprise yourself with the painting you’ll create.

This is event is open to 18-year-old and above. For enquiries phone Melinda on 3249 5947.

5 Things To Do at Manly Harbour Village During Weekends

Weekends are always quite busy at Manly Harbour Village. Once known mostly as a fishing destination, locals are rightfully proud of its transformation into a dining, entertainment and shopping hub. There’s always something going on and half the fun is in exploring the suburb and rediscovering all the reasons why Manly is “it” for you.

Below are Five Things To Do at Manly Harbour Village for a relaxing and rejuvenating weekend “staycation.”

1. Check out the Jan Powers Farmers Market.

The Jan Powers Market is held every first and third Saturday of the month from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the waterfront. Here, you can score local produce and fresh ingredients to stock up in your kitchen. You could also shop for interesting and useful pieces to gift to friends or for your own.

*Photo Credit: Manly Harbour Village/Facebook*

2. Watch a family-friendly movie in the park — FREE!

For Saturday, the 6th of July, “A Wrinkle in Time” will screen at the Little Bayside Park.

So, pack a picnic and set a blanket for a relaxing night with friends or family. Or, you can buy foods to munch while watching the movie from the rows of restaurants at Manly Harbour Village.

The screening starts at 6:00 p.m. Future films will include “Mary Poppins Returns,” “Daddy’s Home Two,” and the 1984 classic “Gremlins.”

3. Enjoy live music and performances at the bars and restaurants.

Live entertainment at Manly Harbour Village starts on Thursday night at some restaurants. Support local artists, school bands, indie musicians and up-and-coming comics by watching their sets at the following establishments:

Visit their Facebook pages for the event schedules. While you’re there, try some of the bars or restaurants’ best-selling food, too!

4. Get some me-time in. Try a pampering session or get a makeover.

Had a long week? Then have a much-needed pampering session or finally get that makeover at any of Manly Harbour Village’s spas, skin or dental clinics, and salons. Book a facial, a haircut, mani/pedi, massage or a teeth bleaching procedure at these establishments:

5. Indulge in retail therapy.

Manly Harbour Village has two fashion stores — Bella Botiquo and Ebb + Flow. The clothes, shoes and accessories here are unique and not mass-produced. So, if you’re looking to spruce up your wardrobe to stand out, browse these stores’ inventory for some wonderful finds.

A weekend full of dining, shopping, and pampering at Manly Harbour Village, made even better because of the gorgeous view of the seaside, will remind you why Manly is the place to be.