The historic Bridgewater Inn has always been a popular destination, and now, just in time for Summer, things are getting even better. Their upper level beer garden is undergoing renovations, which will make it the ultimate hills destination.
As one of the oldest pubs in the Adelaide Hills, the Bridgewater Inn has also had recent updates to their kitchen, to improve their offering to guests, as demand increases.
Now, with work underway on the beer garden, a brand new pavilion and sunken lounge are in the works. The team says they are on track for a November finish and bookings should be available from January 2025 onwards.
Tracey Lee, the Marketing & Business Development Manager at the Bridgewater Inn shared, “We are building a pavilion structure on the upper level of our beer garden to provide some weather protection for our customers. Given the unpredictable hills weather at any time of the year, this will give finally give us an all weather outdoor dining facility within the beer garden. This will enable our customers to still enjoy our beautiful beer garden (& view) when the weather is not so great. It also allows us to host weddings, functions & events with confidence, as the Pavilion provides shelter along with pull down blinds to keep out the weather if needed.”
Tracey continued “The Balcony (off the Pavilion) will offer arguably the best views of Cox Creek Valley & the historic Bridgewater Mill & surrounds. This area will be available to book with functions or otherwise available to customers for casual dining. The Sunken Lounge is another new space in the beer garden that we are very excited about. Overlooking our Creekside Beer Garden, the Sunken Lounge is going to be a perfect area for small functions (up to 25 people) and, again, is another area which offers some pretty amazing views.”
“Conveniently located nearby to our Container Bar & stage area, it will also make the perfect spot for customers to enjoy a casual meal or drink on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon listening to live acoustic tunes,” Tracey added.
The new pavilion structure will allow for all weather outdoor dining within the garden, and will include the instillation of a elevator, access toilets, and an existing bathroom refurbishment.
“It’s been a busy few months in the beer garden & we can finally see the new Pavilion & Sunken Lounge taking shape,” Tracey shared.
“Customers can look forward to a more comfortable experience of our beer garden – new furniture, covered area & pull down blinds, heaters & fans to provide some protection from the elements whilst still being able to be seated in the ‘great outdoors’. The ethos and operation of the Bridgewater Inn will remain the same. Good quality pub food, local produce and friendly and authentic customer service.”
The Creekside beer garden will remain the same, with the addition of a new staircase, landscaping and new lighting. Since the renovations kicked off in May, both levels of the beer garden have been closed. If you find yourself at the Inn during this time access to the venue is temporarily via the upper level through the Bridgey Bar and the only access to the Cellar Restaurant is by taking the stairs.
“We really miss the beer garden, but it wont be long before we are sitting out there again taking in the awesome views,” Tracey said.
The Bridgewater Inn is owned by three local SA families, some of whom have been involved in the owner partnership for 17 years.
Tracey added, “The hotel was first established in 1842, so there have been plenty of owners before us! Interestingly, the hotel (then known as the Rural Deanery) was relocated to its current site in 1855 because the nearby road was realigned away from the hotel & business would have suffered considerably not having the trade of the transport corridors. Some of the materials of the old hotel were used to rebuild the ‘new’ hotel.”
Tracey Lee continued, “There’s so much about our renovation we are excited about. The renovated and expanded kitchen is going to be fantastic & will enable us to service customers and functions with much greater ease. There’s a new pizza oven coming, which will offer even more dining options for our customers. We are excited to be offering better access with a newly installed lift, connecting the upper and lower levels of the hotel. We are just excited about throwing open the doors to the beer garden again & welcoming our customers back.
The Bridgewater Inn is a short 20 minute drive from Adelaide, and nestled within the stunningly scenic Adelaide Hills.
Find the Bridgewater Inn at 387 Mount Barker Rd, Bridgewater.
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