Image: John Jennings
The Balhannah Hotel in the Adelaide Hills has recently re-opened its doors and revealed a newly renovated outdoor bar, garden space, breathing new life into the venue and offering a fresh, relaxed atmosphere for patrons to enjoy.
By expanding into a neighbouring building that the hotel had been leasing to a Chinese Restaurant, the Balhannah Hotel was undergone a significant transformation, creating a more spacious environment.
“Rather than re-leasing the property, we decided to convert the old gaming room into a standalone space, removing machines from the main area between the bar and dining room,” said Operations Manager Greg Ryan.
This change has opened up the hotel, creating a bridge between the bar and bistro and adding a cozy lounge area.
The focal point of the redesign is probably the new outdoor area, which has been converted from storage space into an Adelaide Hills-themed oasis with a landscaped garden, outdoor bar, decking, bi-fold windows, and rural-style fencing. The new design allows passers-by’s to see through the hotel, offering a glimpse of the garden with plants, trees, and raised garden beds.
“We’ve kept the design sympathetic with what you see in the hills, with horse yards, paddocks. It opens up the whole outdoor area,” said Greg.
This area has been thoughtfully designed to connect with the natural beauty of the surrounding area, featuring a mixture of hardy, resilient plants, as well as a blend of functional and decorative trees. A dedicated fire pit area with circular paved seating invites guests to gather around, while picnic tables, raised tables, and a terrace provide plenty of spots for dining or relaxing.
The new spaces are intended to enhance the customer experience by offering a laid-back atmosphere that embraces the surrounding greenery. Greg said they wanted to create an open, accessible environment where people can come in, sit down, and enjoy a meal or a drink in a casual, inviting setting.
“The way we’ve set the outdoor bar up to service two areas has certainly made the customer experience better, now that there’s a shorter walk to order food and drinks,” said Greg.
In keeping with the region’s rich local produce, the pub stocks a wide variety of Adelaide Hills wines, gins, and whiskeys, showcasing the best of the area without compromising on variety. Their glass pours feature predominantly local wines, and the owners take pride in supporting regional producers.
“Where we can, we’re trying to showcase what’s up here without compromising the overall offer,” said Greg.
Now that the team has unveiled the new space to regulars and new visitors alike, the Balhannah Hotel team plan to “feel through this Autumn” before launching some new ideas in the second half of the year.
So next time you’re up in the Adelaide Hills, be sure to check out the newly renovated spaces at the Balhannah Hotel.
WHAT: Balhannah Hotel
WHEN: Sunday to Thursday from 10am – 10pm | Friday and Saturday from 10am – 11pm
WHERE: 78 Onkaparinga Valley Rd, Balhannah SA 5242
For more information, click here.
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