CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT
One of Australia’s largest hospitality groups has made a move on the Diamantina Shire this week, after it was confirmed that the Drunken King Hit Hotel in Betoota Ponds has new owners.
Known colloquially as ‘The Kingy’ – the pub has been stigmatised over the years for the crowd it attracts, with many patrons boasting links to organised motorcycle crime.
However, the installation of a woodfired pizza oven in the venue this week has locals wondering if maybe they’ll be able to bring their kids to the pub one day.
So it’s official, Justin Hemmes has arrived in town – with some brave new ideas for the pub, such as drink coasters and a postmix gun.
Unbeknownst to many, this actually isn’t the first Betoota hotel to be snapped up by the Southern hospo entrepreneur.
The hotel magnate’s Merivale Group, also known as ‘The Hemmesphere’ has already owned ‘The Dickless Parrot’ in Betoota’s Old City District for several years now.
Choosing to not rock the boat in our highly political town, Hemmes has left the Parrot almost untouched since he took over – opting only to gurney off the agricultural-themed wallpaper to reveal the industrial-chic polished concrete underneath.
However, his purchase of the ‘Kingy’ suggests our town can expect the full Merivale treatment.
Overnight, the slightly Mediterranean kitchen and cocktail list has begun to attract a patronage of local residents who don’t carry switchblades on them at all times.
These slight changes have outraged the town’s hipsters, who are traditionally too scared to ever visit the Drunken King Hit Hotel, but ‘like what it represents’.
“I dunno heyyyy” says local graphic designer and aspiring hip hop producer, Davinci Stevenson (33).
“It’s like, what’s next? Bowls full of water for the dogs tied up outside?”
“Those dogs have been fine for the last fifty years. Why change anything?”
These slight criticisms from the cosplay working class are not expected to last, however – as the new and improved ‘King And Queen Hit Hotel’ announces plans to bring Lime Cordiale to town for the Winter Solstice.
MORE TO COME.
