The Abermain Hotel has been a hallmark of the small Hunter Valley town of Abermain for 119 years. It has endured through floods, Covid-19, and the changing state of coal mining. The hotel has just weathered another obstacle – an electrical fire that engulfed the entry hall, closing the pub and its cafe for more than a month.

We’re excited to say that the Abermain Hotel is now back open to the public! The fact that the hotel is reopening so quickly after this awful turn of events is a testament not only to strong support from the local community, but to owners Jade Smith and Cass Ponchard’s dedication to the pub.

Since taking over the Abermain Hotel in 2017, Jade and Cass have tirelessly and lovingly worked to breathe some fresh air into the pub in a way that doesn’t do away with its charm and character.

“It didn’t look like it does now. Structurally, it was similar, but it just was really tired. There was red and green carpet in the dining room, so we ripped that up and sanded the floorboards, repainted, and redid the beer garden,” Jade said.

The result is a historic country pub that feels spacious and welcoming – like there’s room for anyone and everyone. Its family-friendly approach has made it a hub for the community, whether it’s for weeknight family dinners, birthday parties, or just breakfast at the cafe.

It might sound unusual for a pub to also house a cafe, but Abermain Hotel’s Blue Leaf Cafe is part of what makes the pub feel like it’s for everyone.

“The cafe brings in people that would never usually come to a pub. That’s a very big part of what’s changed over the time we’ve had the cafe here.”

Run by Leah Chevis, Blue Leaf Cafe serves up reliable cafe favourites, along with plenty of house-made slices and treats, coffee by Crema, and tea by the Tea Collective.

Another facet of the Abermain Hotel’s unique offering is its in-house beer label, Abermain Brewing Co. Started by Jade with help from a few local brewing enthusiasts, Abermain Brewing Co has become much-loved among the pub’s regulars, and it’s a big part of its annual Beer Fest, featuring local craft breweries, food, and live music. 

It’s been a process of trial and error, but one that’s been rewarding.

“We’ve poured quite a few brews down the sink, but that’s part of it. We’ve come up with some really good ones too.”

While the Abermain Hotel is fantastic for its local craft beer and quality food, the pub really lends itself to hosting events. Whether it’s a birthday celebration, a work function, or even a wedding, the Abermain Hotel can do it all. 

With a capacity of 120 people for events, it’s the perfect spot for a relaxed wedding (with the pub able to coordinate food, drinks, photographers, celebrants, and cakes), especially if you want to get married in the Hunter Valley without the hefty price tag.

If you want to experience the way the hotel transforms for events, make sure you get along to the upcoming Beer Fest on Saturday May 4, or grab your tickets to catch Australian country legend Catherine Britt this weekend. There’s never been a better time to support the Abermain Hotel.