Gallaghers pick up two more pubs

By Clyde Mooney – editor Australian Hotelier

Gallagher Hotels has added two more venues within the space of a week to its successful network of Irish and French-themed pubs.

The Guinness will be flowing tonight at the grand opening of the new PJ Gallagher’s Enfield in Coronation Street, which is an Irish-themed reincarnation of the former Boulevarde Hotel.

Guests will be treated to traditional Irish entertainment including Irish dancing and live music, and will sample the new menu with its Irish-style buffet. 

Last week, the group announced its acquisition of the Oriental Hotel and its hatted Ori Café in Springwood in the Blue Mountains.

The heritage-listed Springwood hotel and fine-dining restaurant are revered in the area and represent the Gallaghers' first venue outside Sydney.

"Having the opportunity to work with a one-hatted restaurant within a postcard-style town like Springwood aligns perfectly to Gallagher Hotels' aim of delivering high quality food for a memorable dining experience," said Angela Gallagher.

Speaking to TheShout, Patrick Gallagher said support from the locals at the new Enfield venue has been "phenomenal".

"We traded right through the renovations, and it is already doing well even though there is still scaffolding outside and we haven’t officially opened yet.

"Both pubs are fairly uniquely placed in nice areas, with no similar offering in the vicinity, and both have a good mix of patronage, including a strong Irish contingency and all age groups. 

"It’s a bit of a punt, but you have to make the opportunities."

The new venues represent numbers eight and nine in the group, which specialises in Irish and French-themed offerings.

Steered by award-winning executive chef Ronny Ghantous, the foodservice in Gallaghers' venues has claimed numerous awards including last year's AHA Best Restaurant gong for French-themed restaurant Uncorked in the Union Hotel.