Worth shouting about: 10 State Heritage-listed pubs to visit in South Australia

Rob Roy Hotel

The Rob Roy Hotel is one of Adelaide’s oldest hotels having been continuously licensed since 1840.

While the building that remains is not the original structure, the double storey western section of the hotel was built c1840s.

In the 1920s it was resurfaced, rendered and the parapet wall added, however, the disposition of the openings of the building have been retained. 

The two-storey addition and balcony on the east were built in 1881, to a design by architect’s English and Soward, and replaced the single storey structure that was there at that time.

The most famous member of the MacGregor clan of Scotland was Robert MacGregor, who acquired the name of ‘Roy’ early in life due to his mop of red curly hair.

The Hotel is named after this man portrayed by Sir Walter Scott in his book "Rob Roy".

Location: 110 Halifax Street, Adelaide. 
State Heritage ID: 13434. Listed 11 September 1986. 
Photo: The Rob Roy Hotel. Source/DEW files.

The Stag

This establishmented was first licensed in 1849 by George Taylor, although the majority of the hotel was rebuilt in 1903, at the same time the Adelaide Fruit and Produce Exchange,adjacent to it, was built. 

The design of the building makes good use of its corner site with its turret and return verandah/balcony.
 
It is a “bookend” to the streetscape of Rundel Street.

Location: 299 Rundle Street, Adelaide. 
State Heritage ID: 13380. Listed 11 September 1986
Photo: The Stag Hotel in 1910. Source: DEW files. 

Prince Albert Hotel

This pub was established by German settlers, the Dreyer family.

It was licensed in 1852, and the Dreyer family remained connected with it until about 1976. 

Unlike many of Adelaide’s surviving hotels, this building does not appear to have been rebuilt during the halcyon years of the boom period (1860’s – 1880s).

The current structure dates from the 1850s.  

Location: 254-256 Wright Street, Adelaide. 
State Heritage ID: 13098. Listed 11 September 1986. 
Photo: The Prince Albert Hotel in 1985. Source: DEW files. 

The General Havelock

Built in 1866-67 for Richard Williams and then leased to brewers James Blades and Charles Chambers of Dragon Brewery. 

This pub is a significant element of the Hutt Street streetscape. 

Location: 162-166 Hutt Street ADELAIDE
State Heritage ID: 13441. Listed 11 September 1986.
Photo: The General Havelock Hotel. Circa 1939.  Source: State Library of South Australia.

Electra House

Historically-significant because of its association with the Eastern Extension Australasia and Cina Telegraph Co. Ltd. 

The company was responsible for providing telegraph communication from Europe to connect with South Australia’s Overland Telegraph in 1872. 

The building is also significant for having been built for the Citizens Life Assurance Co., thereby illustrating developments in the Insurance Industry in Adelaide. 

Architecturally, the building is significant for the high quality of its classical detailing, particularly for the use of red granite. 

The façade, with garlanded giant order Corinthian columns and high quality stonework to pediments and ground floor make this further significant. 

Location: 131 King Wiliam Street, Adelaide.
State Heritage ID: 13387. Listed 11 September 1986.
Photo: Electra House 1920. Source: DEW files

The Crown and Sceptre

Dating from 1877 the Crown and Sceptre Hotel is architecturally-significant as an excellent example of an Italianate design by the notable architectural firm of Woods & McMinn.

 The classically-designed details are excellently executed and still remain in good condition. 

The building also demonstrates the technological innovation of EJ Woods and his experiments in venting buildings, later applied in his designs for public schools and Parliament House. 

A substantial amount of the original ventilation system still remains intact. 

Locattion: 308 King William Street, Adelaide
State Heritage ID: 13431. Listed 11 September 1986.
Photo: The Crown and Sceptre Hotel. Source DEW files.

Harry's Bar - Tattersalls Building

Heritage-significant for its association with the South Australian Tattersalls Club, the pub was styled on London’s Tattersalls Club and was founded in 1879 and has been closely associated with the racing industry. 

The Tattersalls Club purchased the land that this building now sits on in 1901-02, for 27,000 pounds – a huge amount of money for the time. 

Location: 10-14 Grenfell Street, Adelaide.
State Heritage ID: 13105. Listed 5 June 1986. 
Photo: Tattersalls Building. Source: DEW files

The Austral

Built in 1882/1883 for the South Australian Company, the Austral had a long association with the company Malcolm Reid & Co – merchants of Adelaide. 

It was built as part of a complex of 14 shops. The architect was W. McMinn. 

The Hotel enjoys a corner site and has a projecting cast iron verandah / balcony. 

Location: 205-207 Rundle Street, Adelaide. 
State Heritage ID: 11581. Listed 5 April 1984
Photo: The Austral Hotel. Source: DEW files.

The Cumberland Arms

This pub dates from 1883 and was designed by H C Richardson for Sir E T Smith, brewer and philanthropist. 

It is a typical corner hotel with chamfered corner and verandah /balcony, but features some ebullient detailing which makes it out of the ordinary. 

It also serves as a reminder of the once dense residential development in the west end of Adelaide. 

The interior is significant for its fine entrance hall and staircase and for its upstairs rooms being largely intact.

Location: 205 Waymouth Street, Adelaide
State Heritage ID: 13383. Listed 11 September 1986.
Photo: Cumberland Arms Hotel. Source: State Library of SA B10561

The Metropolitan

Built for L. Penaluna in 1883, the pub remained in the ownership of his descendants until 1979.

Dominated by the balcony and chamfered corner entrance, the building is much a part of the character of commercial 19th century Adelaide. It is constructed of bluestone rubble with stuccoed enrichment.

Additions to this hotel were carried out in sympathy with the original building and thus the visual integrity is high. 

Location: 42-46 Grote Street, Adelaide. 
State Heritage ID: 13409. Listed 11 September 1986. 
Photo: Hotel Metropolitan. Source DEW files

Did you know?

Staff within Heritage SA of the Department for Environment and Water provide advice on development and conservation of State Heritage Places under delegated authority of the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water. 

Conservation work is generally concerned with the protection of fabric and enhancing the significance of a heritage place. Each place is different, so a variety of approaches and techniques for conservation are required.

Before an owner begins any conservation work, thorough research and planning are important. 

The Burra Charter sets out the best practice principles of conservation subscribed to by the department.

These elements should be considered in the planning process:

•    Respect the historical context
•    Identify the likely impact of change on the cultural significance of the place
•    Avoid uses that dilute or obscure cultural significance
•    Give preference to reversible changes
•    Give preference to additions and alterations which reinforce and do not blur historical appearance
•    Store material unavoidably removed for possible future reinstatement.

Visit the Heritage SA page for more information on heritage conservation and State Heritage Places.

Other heritage pubs in Adelaide

Botanic Hotel, 308 – 310 North Terrace Adelaide. State Heritage.
Seven Stars Hotel, 187 – 191 Angas Street, Adelaide. State Heritage
The Producers Hotel, 233 – 235 Grenfell Street, Adelaide, State Heritage
Mayfair Hotel, 41 – 49 King William Street, Adelaide. State Heritage. 
King’s Head Hotel, 353 King William Street, Adelaide. State Heritage. 
Newmarket Hotel, 1 North Terrace, Adelaide. State Heritage.
Colonel Light Hotel, 41 Light Square, Adelaide. State Heritage. 
Hampshire Hotel, 110 Grote Street, Adelaide. State Heritage. 
PJ O’Brien’s, 10 – 12 East Terrace, Adelaide. State Heritage. 
Ambassadors Hotel, 107 – 109 King William Street, Adelaide. Local Heritage.
Griffins Head Hotel, 36-40 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide. Local Heritage. 
Richmond Arcade and Hotel, 128 – 130 Rundle Mall, Local Heritage. 
The Exeter Hotel, 246 – 248 Rundle Street, Adelaide. Local Heritage.
Saracen’s Head Hotel, 84 – 90 Carrington Street, Adelaide. Local Heritage.
The Historian Hotel, 18 – 20 Coromandel Place. Local Heritage
Duke of York Hotel, 82 – 86 Currie Street. Local Heritage.
Edinburgh Castle Hotel, 233 – 239 Currie Street, Adelaide. Local Heritage. 
Hotel Franklin, 88 – 92 Franklin Street, Adelaide. Local Heritage
Princes Berkeley Hotel, 58 – 60 Hindley Street, Adelaide. Local Heritage.
Tivoli Hotel, 261 – 269 Pirie Street, Adelaide. Local Heritage. 
Earl of Aberdeen Hotel, 316 – 320 Pulteney Street, Adelaide. Local Heritage. 
Astor Hotel, 437 – 439 Pulteney Street, Adelaide. Local Heritage. 
Wakefield Hotel, 74 – 78 Wakefield Street, Adelaide. Local Heritage.
Union Hotel, 68 – 72 Waymouth Street, Adelaide. Local Heritage
Royal Admiral Hotel, 125 -127 Hindley Street, Adelaide. Local Heritage. 
New Century Hotel, 160-162 Hindley Street, Adelaide, Local Heritage
Crown and Anchor Hotel, 196 – 198 Grenfell Street, Adelaide. Protected through its own legislation.