There’s a new energy running through the Mannum Hotel. It’s the sound of laughter, live music and the unmistakable rhythm of a country pub finding its feet again under new ownership.
Dave and Kelly Sims took over the hotel in early September and have wasted no time putting their stamp on the historic River Murray icon.
“When I saw the photos online, I thought it was beautiful,” Dave says. “I didn’t think I could afford it, but it turns out I could.”
Originally from Queensland, Dave spent years working FIFO in the Northern Territory before deciding to trade the mines for the Murray and become a publican.
“I’ve spent more time on the other side of the bar,” he laughs.
That’s all changed now. The Mannum Hotel, once famously known as the Bogan Hotel, is now home to the Sims family, with brother Rob managing the bar, son Ashley running the bottle shop, and younger son Damien helping behind the bar when he’s home from boarding school.
“It’s very much a family affair,” Dave says.
“Even my other brother’s just done his RSA so he can jump behind the bar too if needed.”
The hotel’s original “Bogan” name still gets a laugh, and Dave isn’t shying away from it completely.
“We’re going to lean into it a little,” he says.
“Maybe a Bogan Bar behind the bar, maybe a Bogan Burger on the menu. There’s nothing wrong with bogans — we’ve all got a bit of that in us — but we’ll be keeping the name Mannum Hotel.”
The Mannum Hotel first opened its doors in 1869, originally trading as The Bogan Hotel until 1886. In its earliest years, it provided meals and lodgings to riverboat travellers, salesmen and itinerant workers seeking employment along the Murray River.
The origin of the word bogan is unclear, but the most popular theories suggest it comes from the Bogan River in New South Wales — a name associated with waterways where tributaries meet, rather than the modern slang term it’s become today.
As travel evolved and regulations changed, the hotel’s accommodation closed in 1984, only to be revived again in 2001 to cater to Mannum’s growing tourism scene, once more offering clean, comfortable rooms for those seeking a classic riverfront stay.
The Mannum Hotel has stood through floods, droughts and uncertain times, a reminder of how much heart and history is built into the River Murray’s small towns.
Accommodation is being upgraded again, with new locks, beds and linens, keeping that affordable country-pub charm intact.
“You can still stay here for $55 a night,” Dave says.
“It’s clean, comfortable, and right on the river.”
Dave is determined to preserve the pub’s history while slowly restoring the building.
“I’ve pulled all the plants from out the front because they were damaging the walls,” he says.
“It needs a good lick of paint, but I’m taking it one step at a time.”
Inside, he’s already installed a new kitchen and is working on a fresh menu focused on hearty, no-nonsense pub meals.
“It’s about good food at a good price,” Dave says.
“You’re not coming here for five-star Michelin dining. You’re coming here for a great feed.”
His non-negotiable? The mixed grill.
“It’s a staple. Steak, lamb, sausage, eggs, chips — it’s classic.”
From November, the Mannum Hotel will also be serving up weekend breakfasts, opening its doors early on Saturdays and Sundays for locals and visitors looking to start the day by the river.
“It’s something new for us,” Dave says.
“We’ll be doing classic big breakfasts, and my wife Kelly’s Dutch, so we might even add poffertjes — those little Dutch pancakes — to the menu.”
It’s another nod to the family’s hands-on approach and their commitment to turning the historic pub into a welcoming hub from morning to night.
And for locals and visitors chasing some fun, live music will continue every second week, with karaoke and trivia nights soon to follow.
“We just want people to have a good time,” Dave says.
“Good food, good music, and good people. That’s what makes a great pub.”
After all, in true Aussie fashion, there’s nothing wrong with being a little bit Bogan when you do it this well.
Mannum Hotel – Bogan Hotel
Where: 15 Randell St, Mannum
When: Open 7 Days
For more information, click here.
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