THERE’S a pub in the Hunter Valley of NSW preparing for a special milestone.
A pub centenary is always an opportunity to celebrate, reflect and to look forward. And that’s exactly what the current custodians of the Khartoum Hotel at Kitchener are preparing for as part of the big celebrations over the Easter Long Weekend.
Owners Michael Heathwood, Chris White (licensee) and Dan Heathwood, who were born and raised in the Hunter Valley, are busy planning the pub’s 100th birthday party to be held on April 3, 4 and 5, 2026.
“We have a huge lineup of acts performing over the Easter Long Weekend,” Michael said.
“Also, we’d love to hear from all current and past patrons and staff and have them share any photos and memories of the Khartoum Hotel over its lifetime.”
The Khartoum Hotel, known by the locals as the ‘Kitchener Pub’ is the beating heart of the local community and opened for business on April 1, 1926.
“If anyone wants to slip into the pub to celebrate the 100 years on April 1st to raise a glass then they can do that as well,” Michael said.
Michael says many still use the pub as a true public house where they gather to socialise, have a drink and enjoy a meal during the week.
The pub is the destination venue in the Hunter Valley for the best beers, top notch wines, great pub food, country pub style accommodation, friendly locals, and a bit of live music along the way.
“Our beer garden is the place to be with friends and family on a sunny day and our indoors bistro is a great spot rain, hail or shine,” he said.
On the weekends, many have celebrated events the Khartoum Hotel from weddings and receptions, to parties for all ages.
Michael says the pub has a deep continuing connection to the local motorcycle community and dirtbike enthusiasts.
“This is how it remains successful and our vision is to attract people from outside the region so they can participate in what is a very rewarding experience dropping into the Khartoum Hotel,” he said.
The pub currently employs 12 staff from the local area and they use a selection of local businesses, such as Williams Fruit and Produce, Hunter Valley Premium Meats and Kelman Wines, in their supply chain.
Kitchener has a rich and colourful history. The pub owes its existence to Aberdare Central Colliery, which was developed by Caledonia Collieries Ltd during World War I.
The town is named after Lord Kitchener, British Secretary for War from July 1914, and the pub after the siege of Khartoum (also known as the battle of Khartoum or fall of Khartoum), which took place from March 1884 to January 1885.
On May 27 1921 the licence authorities gave permission for Joseph William Brooke to transfer the license of the Central Hotel, Morpeth to premises to be erected at Kitchener. This was a case of third time lucky for Brooke.
During July 1924, he applied to transfer the license of the Central Hotel to Weston. This was rejected. In October 1924 he again attempted to transfer the Morpeth-based license to Abernethy, again refusal.
Late in March 1926 Brooke received permission to change the name of his new hotel at Kitchener to the Khartoum Hotel.
Brooke’s license was confirmed with the opening of the Khartoum Hotel on April 1, 1926.The Cessnock Eagle reported on April 6, 1926:
THE OLD AND THE NEW
The new hotel at. Kitchener, which was opened for business last week, is being carried on under a very old license. The Central Hotel at Morpeth, the license of which has been transferred to the Khartoum Hotel, Kitchener, was first licensed in May, 1852, Mr. William Murnane being the first licensee. Conditions have changed greatly since these far-off days, when Morpeth was a busy port; and the discovery of rich coal seams in the Cessnock district, giving birth to important towns, was not dreamt of. Kitchener as yet is in its infancy, and the transfer of the old license from Morpeth forms an interesting, intermingling of the old and the new.
The pub takes pride in its rich history, and the original underground keg storage room and delivery system is still in use, which involves rolling the kegs down a timber shoot to the cellar and cool room.
Michael said he and the other owners, and staff were looking for forward to marking the pub’s special milestone and they invite everyone to visit and celebrate over the Easter Long Weekend.
The pub have a huge lineup of acts performing. Keep an eye out on their socials for further updates in regards to the festivities. Bands and artists performing include Whiskeyfyre, The Avenue Band and Mackenzie Lee Music.
For further information on the celebrations visit the pub’s Facebook Page or website for details.
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