The popular drinking haunt overflows with customers eager for a cold beverage noon through evening all year round. And while the pub already offers an extensive array of beers and near unbeatable views of Byron’s main beach, it’s more refined offerings were lacking. Until now. The venue’s new owner Australian hotelier John van Haandel has just replaced its pokies and welcomed instead Green Room, a sleek bar and dining room created in collaboration with some of the nation’s top creatives.

Redesigned by hospitality architect Kelvin Ho of Akin Atelier, Green Room is a ‘relaxed yet sophisticated’ space that melds mint green stucco walls, with native Australian recycled timbers and exposed red brick. Ho says of his creation: “This is a contemporary space whereby the community feels immediately comfortable.” As well as a preference for the comfortable, the eatery’s design has been inspired by a continuing passion for the sustainable and the eco-friendly, and hopes to reflect the surrounding Byron district.

Or so says owner John van Haandel, who removed the poker-machines in order to welcome the new eatery into the mix. Regulars need not fear, for the hotel’s preference for rowdy live music and an ample beer garden will remain. Simply now too the venue offers a more refined dining option; a space in which you can relax among some foliage and enjoy a natural wine (or two). “We’re proud of Green Room — a smart, inclusive and relaxed food and beverage space for locals and visitors with a conscious affiliation to sustainable practices. This is a new era for the Beachy!” says van Haandel.

The fare has become the pet project of food director (and much loved Melbourne chef) David Moyle. His resulting share-style menu celebrates local creations, with a particular focus on Byron-raised and caught seafood, poultry and meats. Recommendations include the freshly shucked oysters topped with finger lime dressing, as well as the heaped Burrata and Cooper Shoot tomato salad.

These take a decidedly different direction to traditional Beach Hotel booze offerings. Green Room instead boasts a curated collection of natural and organic wines by Jilly Wines (on tap) all produced in neighbouring Clunes. And then there’s the cocktails, which similarly favour local producers, including award-winning Cape Byron gin label Brookie’s.

Beach Hotel is open every day from 8.00am, while Green Room opens from 3.00pm until late. 1 Bay Street, Byron Bay; beachhotel.com.au