It’s as well the glorious jacaranda tree found in the newly renovated and
renamed The Glebe Hotel is a mural and not the real deal, else patrons might
find themselves fighting for elbow room with the avid instagrammers who
descend, cameras and phones in hand, to photograph other jacaranda-heavy
parts of Sydney each spring.

Not that there’s any shortage of other reasons why this inner-city veteran –
formerly the Australian Youth Hotel – won’t attract crowds of discerning diners
and drinkers. Following a seven-month interior and exterior renovation, the Bay Street pub – a Glebe fixture since 1862 – has reopened with a new look and that new name.

The sympathetic renovation, courtesy of Sydney-based designers Alexander
& Co, (The Imperial Hotel, Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, The Morrison Bar &
Oyster Room), has breathed fresh life into the corner Victorian terrace while
maintaining its history, quirky character and charm.

Visitors will find a warm welcome in the traditional front bar, which features
walls heavy with historical photos of the pub and the surrounding neighbourhood, along with comfortable Chesterfield sofas and working
fireplaces to chase away any chill. Behind the bar are a good selection of
draught, bottled and canned craft beers, signature cocktails, a wide variety of
spritzes, and plenty of Australian and international wines.

Those looking to enjoy British head chef Ben Allcock’s sophisticated pub fare
should head for The Stables Bar & Grill, where they’ll find the jacaranda mural by Sydney artist Indigo Jo in a light and airy space featuring exposed
brickwork, plenty of comfortable seating options, and a mezzanine level that
was originally the hotel’s stables. Nature is also a theme of the adjoining
courtyard, where a magnificent centenary fig tree provides shade (for four-
legged friends, too!).

A private function space – named Nude in honour of its former life as a ’60s
brothel – can be found upstairs, and delivers patrons into a world of grand
chandeliers, baroque furniture and vintage nude art.

As for Allcock’s menu, expect a mix of the sophisticated and the comforting –
think small plates of seared scallops and Cloudy Bay clams, mains of
handmade gnocchi with butternut pumpkin and goat’s curd, chargrilled
spatchcock, and slow-cooked pork shoulder ragu, and a dedicated steak menu. The chef is also serving a wide selection of pub favourites, including
steak and Guinness pie, a fish finger burger and a traditional Sunday Roast.

For owners Daniel and Zelman Nissen, the renovation and renaming was an
opportunity to reposition the pub within its community and as a destination
within central Sydney. “We decided to rebrand the Australian Youth Hotel as
The Glebe Hotel,” they say. “Whilst locals are aware of our offerings, those
googling from afar would often confuse the pub for a youth hostel, which is far
from our gastro-pub standing. Refurbishment works were undertaken to
coincide with the rebrand and we’ve achieved a fantastic result, maintaining
many of the hotel’s traditional features whilst reviving other areas with
updated style and functionality.”

The Glebe Hotel
63 Bay St, Glebe, Sydney 2037
theglebehotel.com.au