There are few things more Adelaide than a pub with a history.
And few pubs have a history quite like the Rosemont Hotel.
First established in 1846, the Hindley Street landmark has traded under a handful of names, including the City Bridge Hotel, Overway Hotel, Century Hotel and Nixon’s Hotel, before becoming the Rosemont in 1999.
Now, after several years of closure, the iconic West End venue is opening its doors again following a significant redevelopemtn, with new owner and licensee Glenn O’Rourke setting his sights on restoring the Rosemont to its former place in Adelaide’s social life.
“The Rosemont is one of Adelaide’s iconic pubs. It’s been part of the city’s history since 1846 and deserved a new chapter,” O’Rourke said.
The project is more that simply reopening an old pub, he added.
“It’s about helping revitalise the West End of Hindley Street and creating a venue that brings people together through great food, live sport, live music and genuine hospitality.”
The first stage of the redevelopment represents an investment of around $500,000, with O’Rourke describing it as a long-term commitment to the building and its future.
Downstairs has been reconfigured, with a dedicated live music stage. Technology throughout the venue has been upgraded and the gaming lounge has received a facelift.
“I wanted to respect the building’s history while giving customers a modern but wholesome pub experience they expect in 2026,” O’Rourke said.
That means the Rosemont is leaning into something increasingly precious in hospitality: the good old-fashioned local.
And the weekly specials make it feel all the more enticing, with $17.90 schnitzels all day on Monday, Tuesdays with $25 rump steaks, and Wednesdays with $16.90 burgers. Kids eat free on Saturdays and Sundays with every main meal purchased, and students and hospitality workers have their own specials and offers.
There’s also Happy Hour from 3–6pm Monday to Friday.
“A great pub should be somewhere you can visit regularly, not just for special occasions,” said O’Rourke. “We’ve built our menu and weekly specials around quality, value and giving people a reason to catch up with family and friends.”
“I want the Rosemont to become Adelaide’s meeting place again, somewhere people naturally come before the game, after the game, before a show or simply because it’s their local.”
“People are more connected digitally than ever before, but they’re craving real human connection,” he says.
“A great pub gives people something a screen never can, real conversation, friendship and a genuine sense of belonging.”
That’s ultimately the role he wants the Rosemont to reclaim.
“At the end of the day, we want people to say, ‘Let’s meet at the Rosemont.’ That’s when we’ll know we’ve succeeded.”
After almost 180 years of history, it seems the Rosemont is ready to start collecting a few more memories.
