THE old pubs of Queensland were recalled by William Lees in an entertaining feature story published in ‘The Queenslander’ newspaper on September 5 1935. In his story, he tells of the shanties and inns of outback Queensland and the legendary… Read More ›
Brisbane hotels
Wealthy Brisbane publican died penniless after she was hit by a tram
By MICK ROBERTS © A TRAGIC accident ended the life of Annie Teresa Cain, one of Brisbane’s most charismatic and generous publicans. Two days before Christmas, Annie jumped-off a tram at Bronte, in Sydney’s east, and was struck by another… Read More ›
Blackbirder established the Queen’s Hotel on the Brisbane River wharves
By MICK ROBERTS © THE Queen’s Hotel, opposite the wharves on the Brisbane River, was a favourite haunt of sailors and men working on the docks. And, no wonder. The pub sat opposite a small reserve dominated by a wide-spreading… Read More ›
Royal Hotel, Queen Street, Brisbane: 1862-1970
BRISBANE’S Royal Hotel was a popular haunt of journalists from the nearby Telegraph newspaper offices. The pub sat almost opposite the Brisbane General Post Office in Queen Street and was established in 1862. At the time of its construction, the… Read More ›
Drinkers join the Salvos in Christmas carols outside South Brisbane pub
MEMBERS of the Salvation Army band were playing and singing Christmas carols outside a South Brisbane hotel. Drinkers in the bar joined in merrily. “You can’t sing in here,” roared the barman. “If you want to sing go out and… Read More ›
The Treasury Hotel, Brisbane
Old Dunmore Arms Hotel, corner George and Elizabeth Streets, Brisbane: Between the hotel and the Bank of New South Wales are old buildings, which for years were the business premises of Francis Hicks (familiarly known as “Old” Hicks). The office of Mr…. Read More ›
Hen gets ‘clucky’ on beer
Here she is, Hilda, the beer-drinking hen: At Jack Ahem’s Hamilton Hotel [Brisbane, Qld] they’ve got hen which drinks beer — and cat which puts hen to bed when it gets ‘clucky’ on grog! “Hilda the Hen’s” penchant for beer… Read More ›
Publican, Rose Rooney: Sydney’s Diamond Queen
By MICK ROBERTS © KNOWN as the ‘Diamond Queen’, publican Rose Rooney was the toast of Sydney’s Bohemian social life for over 20 years. There were few as colourful as Rose, who possessed of personality, and a lively wit, attracted… Read More ›
Treasury Hotel, Brisbane
OLD DUNMORE ARMS HOTEL BRISBANE newspaper, The Week on December 7 1923, published images of two pubs that graced the corner of George and Elizabeth Streets in the Queensland capital. The first pub on the corner was the Dunmore Arms… Read More ›