Author Archives
A journalist, writer and historian, Mick Roberts specialises in Australian cultural history, particularly associated with Australian pubs. Mick has had an interest in revealing the colourful story of Australian hotels or pubs and associated industries for over 35 years. Besides writing a number of history books, Mick has managed several community newspapers. Editorially, he has managed the Wollongong Northern News, The Bulli Times, The Northern Times, The Northern Leader and The Local - all located in the Wollongong region. As a journalist he has reported for Rural Press, Cumberland (News Limited), City Hub Sydney (City News), and Torch Publications (based in Canterbury Bankstown, Sydney).
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Women celebrate Queen’s coronation
WOMEN CROWDED THE BAR— BUT JUST FOR A WEEK WOMEN drinkers crowded the bar of the King’s Head Hotel, on the corner of Park and Elizabeth Streets, Sydney in 1953 to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The coronation… Read More ›
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Heat packs the bar of the Astra
As Sydney sweltered in a heat-wave in the summer of 1945, hotels were popular. This was the scene at 1pm on Saturday November 3 in the bar of the Astra Hotel, Bondi. The Sydney Sun reported the “average success of… Read More ›
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Worst Sydney Beer Shortage on Record
THESE LUCKY FEW FOUND OASIS IN BEER DESERT THE beer shortage in Sydney yesterday was the most acute on record, the president of the United Licensed Victuallers’ Association (Mr. N. H. Connolly) said last, night. Mr Connolly said less than… Read More ›
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The pubs and brothels of Hobart’s Watchorn Street
By MICK ROBERTS © NOT many would be aware of the notorious history of an unassuming service lane, linking Liverpool and Bathurst Streets, in Hobart. Watchorn Street looks fairly tame these days, with The Commons apartment and retail complex dominating the… Read More ›
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Campsie Hotel, Campsie
THE BREAKING OF THE DROUGHT CAMPSIE is to have its only hotel, but many residents oppose the innovation. They allege that it will “bring undesirables to the district, and by the cause of disturbances. The history of Campsie for the… Read More ›
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Colouring hotel beer slops
Ounce of Dye Colours a million gallons Hotel keepers unaware chemist sold drip beer colouring One ounce of methyl violet, costing about 4 shillings, would colour 1,000,000 gallons of beer. Methyl violet is the dye with which hotelkeepers are now… Read More ›
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Beer all day packs the bar
THIS 1949 photo shows the packed bar of a Liverpool Street hotel in Sydney during a day when it sold draught and bottled beer from 10am to 5.30pm. The picture shows the congestion in the public bar at 4pm when most… Read More ›
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Sly grog was auctioned – or in some cases – donated to hospitals!
WHEN Sydney police raided sly-grog shops during the 1920s, the confiscated beer, wine and spirits were usually auctioned, attracting large crowds looking to grab a bargain. In October 1920, 4,000 bottles of beer were sold at an auction “for fairly… Read More ›
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Wagga Wagga cocky wants a beer?
“Curley” Elphick, barman at a Wagga hotel, photographed recently with his pet cockatoo which drinks a middy of beer a day. – Avon Argus November 23 1950 Subscribe to the latest Time Gents’ stories OR CONTRIBUTE BY CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD… Read More ›
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Farewell to the wooden beer barrel as steel kegs are rolled-out across Sydney
The introduction of stainless steel beer kegs into the pubs of Sydney, and across Australia, during the early 1950s also meant the demise of the skillful craft of the cooper. The Fairfield Biz reported on an industry that was in… Read More ›