The long-standing pub in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD is closing its doors for the last time this Saturday. The Victory Hotel, built in 1855, has been a Brisbane City Council local heritage site since 2009 and is the oldest surviving hotel in the city.
Phil Coles, venue manager, posted to social media amidst the venue’s closing rumours.
“The sad day has come after 21 years where we have to close the doors on a Brisbane icon,” he wrote. “It’s been an honour to have been there on and off for 12 of those years and venue manager for the last five years. The Victory has been the best and most testing venue I have ever run. I will miss it dearly.”
On the corner of Edward and Charlotte streets, The Victory Hotel has been a regular for musicians, DJs, and karaoke lovers. The pub was first opened as the Prince of Wales in 1855 and later changed its name to Victory – fondly nicknamed “The Vic.” According to the council, the historic building “retains the principal characteristics of a 19th-century hotel, including its prominent corner position.”
The site was fully leased until this year to Woolworths-backed Australian Hospitality and Liquor Group (AHL). A spokeswoman from AHL stated that the group decided “not to enter a new lease with the landlord.”
The venue’s beer garden saw a renovation in 1986, with further changes made in 2000. However, a fire almost destroyed the area in July 2008 when 700 patrons had to flee the premises early Sunday morning. The pub was rebuilt following the incident.
