Overview
In April, it was announced that Paddington's historic Four in Hand would be pouring its last pints and sold as a private residence. Bought by owners Public House Management Group in 2015 for $8 million, it was now on the market for $6 million, with the group planning to transfer its pokie and liquor licence to another venue.
But, it seems, the pub held a special place in the hearts of local residents, who started a petition and amassed more than 12,000 signatures in a bid to to stop the much-loved venue's transformation into private housing. And, it worked.
Last night, the pub was bought by publican John Azar of Good Beer Company for $7 million, with Azar telling Domain he planned to keep the venue running as a pub. "We hope we can reinvent it for today's punters to bring back the good old Four in Hand,' Azar said.
The Good Beer Company already owns several Sydney pubs, including Randwick's Duke of Gloucester Hotel and Surry Hills' Keg & Brew.
With no word yet on whether Azar will temporarily close the pub for renovations, Four in Hand continues to trade as normal, with the bar open seven days a week, and the eatery serving up lunch on Saturday and Sunday and dinner on Friday and Saturday.