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PREPARING FOR SUMMER: HERE COMES THE SUN
Here comes the sun
Summer is on its way, bringing with it the potential to make your venue shine.
By Caoimhe Hanrahan-Lawrence.
AUSTRALIA IS known for its beautiful weather in the summertime, and there are a number of opportunities for pubs and hotels as Aussies find themselves congregating at their local watering holes. With several festive occasions, school holidays, and the need to beat the heat, there are both significant benefits to and important considerations for this upcoming season.
CRACKING A COLD ONE
CGA by NIQ identified the key drinks trends from last summer, which we may see again over the coming months. This period sees more drinks-led occasions than other times of year, especially with many celebratory occasions. There was also a rise in casual and impulse outings as consumers were spending more times outdoors.
Consumers were more experimental in their drink choices over the warmer months, with 73 per cent saying they were more likely to try new things in the on-premise. The most popular way to experiment was with new cocktails, at 52 per cent, followed by the 49 per cent who felt likely to try new serve styles such as draught or tins.
Drinks category preference changed last summer as well, with 27 per cent of consumers drinking more soft drinks in the on-premise, followed by 21 per cent drinking more beer. Cocktails and RTDs also saw a boost of 19 and 17 per cent respectively.
For Stephen Hunt, managing director and CEO of Hunt Hospitality, cocktails have proven particularly popular at the Seabreeze Hotel in Nelson Bay.
“During the summer period, guests have always shown positive feedback for summer cocktails options! At the Seabreeze Hotel, the cocktails reflect the fun and vibrance of the summer and holiday season. In particular, our Cocktail of the Month offer allows us to showcase delicious creations inspired by our onsite team of cocktail connoisseurs,” he said.
Nathan Hunt, general manager of the Brahma Lodge Hotel, located in Adelaide’s north, has had similar success with cocktails, especially with the cocktail jugs sold by the venue.
“After-work knock-offs on Friday afternoons and functions are the times during which we sell the most cocktails – but no special occasion is needed!” he joked.
To complement the increased popularity of spirits over summer, Sydney-based distillery Archie Rose has released the Double Malt Whisky, which provides the on-premise with an affordable, high-quality, Australian whisky. Co-founder Will Edwards spoke about what makes the Double Malt suited for summer.
“In terms of the whisky portfolio that we have, the Double Malt Whisky is the most suited to all year round or particularly as summer drink. That’s because it is a little lighter, it is a little lower ABV, it is a little more versatile. You can mix it in cocktails, mixed drinks, whatever you want to. It’s a bit more friendly to play with, which when you’re drinking in the summer is what you want,” Edwards explained.
This versatility is due to the combination of rye and barley whiskies.
We’ll often have patrons pop in for lunch and stay late into the afternoon, or come for an afternoon sip and find themselves staying for dinner and then late into the night for the music.
-Nick Derrick Bank Hotel, Warragul
“You can then play in those American whiskey drink spaces as well, where you typically use a bourbon or rye,” Edwards added.
Head distiller Dave Withers is excited to see the Double Malt being used in a wide range of drinks over the summer.
“We want this to be a hard-working spirit. We want this to appear in cocktails, in mixed drinks, we want it to be served as a neat pour,” he said.
The Double Malt is Archie Rose’s most recent addition to its Fundamentals range, which consists of quality, entry-level spirits and aims to put Australian spirits on pub rails.
Nick Derrick, owner of Warragul’s Bank Hotel, also notices a shift in times that customers come into the venue during summer.
“We’ll often have patrons pop in for lunch and stay late into the afternoon, or come for an afternoon sip and find themselves staying for dinner and then late into the night for the music. Booking times also stagger across the day [as] opposed to being more rigidly set around meal times,” he noted.
With the end of AFL and netball seasons, Derrick particularly enjoys seeing more members of his local teams spending time at the Bank.
“During the winter we won’t see a lot of those patrons until later on a Saturday evening after their functions. Now the season is ending and the sun is coming out, we pick up a lot of those who have been tied up in sport during the day on weekends, which is great,” he added.
CASUAL CATCH-UPS
The school holidays can have a big effect on pubs throughout summer, with more families visiting their local venues.
“We understand that the summer months are a time for family and enjoying Australia’s great outdoors. […] Children are free to run around in our enclosed grassy area, and we are delighted to announce that we will soon be adding a children’s play area,” Stephen Hunt said of the Harrington Hotel, located on the NSW North Coast.
Similarly, the Seabreeze prides itself on the summertime entertainment options for children.
“Providing opportunities such as colouring-in competitions facilitates this family bonding further, as well as allowing young artists to contribute to the beautification of the venue at a community level,” Stephen added.
Adelaide’s Aussie Inn has a robust year-round entertainment offering, including poker nights, live music, and raffles. Over summer, these events may change due to shifts in customer behaviour, as Aussie Inn general manager Jackson Rodgers explained.
“We make some adjustments during the warmer months to cater to increased foot traffic, introducing more outdoor activities that take advantage of those areas of the pub that are less in demand over the winter, themed events around key dates and celebrations, and extending our live music sessions. These activities help to create a more vibrant atmosphere for our patrons,” Rodgers said.
Live music also proves popular at the Harrington Hotel throughout summer.
“With the addition of Sunday afternoon music to our entertainment, we like to attract the summer post-beach crowd. After spending the morning at the beach, what better way to cool off and unwind than sitting back and relaxing to live music with a locally sourced seafood option from the specials board?” Stephen Hunt commented.
THE SILLY SEASON
As well as an increase in the number of casual gatherings, the summer trade also sees a large number of formal events, from end-of-year work gatherings to holiday celebrations. These occasions are diverse and offering multiple function spaces or making adjustments to existing spaces can help a venue cater to the needs of different events. For example, being flexible with the number of seats or allowing guests to decorate a space can set a venue apart from others in the area.
At the Seabreeze Hotel, the cocktails reflect the fun and vibrance of the summer and holiday season... our Cocktail of the Month offer allows us to showcase delicious creations inspired by our on-site team.
-Stephen Hunt, Hunt Hospitality
Derrick highlighted the importance of catering for smaller group celebrations during the festive period.
“We find we become a hot spot for smaller groups to celebrate their end-of-year functions, without having to commit to a specific function space or package. Whether it’s a team of four, eight, or 12, we always encourage them to make themselves at home in the bar and courtyard, invite their friends and families down and take advantage of our spaces,” he said.
One key event is the Melbourne Cup, with many people wanting to experience the excitement of the race among friends their local community. Tamworth’s Courthouse Hotel general manager Keagan Cohen draws guests to his venue by ensuring the whole team gets involved in the race.
“We’ve found that our patrons and staff love taking the opportunity to dress up and get together to watch ‘the race that stops the nation.’ Historically, we’ve provided a meeting place for our community to celebrate, with prizes, themed decor and live music,” Cohen described.
Local racing carnivals are also important for the Courthouse.
“We provide transport for people to and from the Tamworth races to the Courthouse, so that they can continue the celebration after the race has been run,” Cohen added.
The Aussie Inn has noticed an increased demand for child-friendly and family-centred functions, especially during the school holiday period.
“In recent years, we’ve observed a heartening transformation in the way patrons approach summer functions. There’s a distinct move towards outdoor events that are inclusive of the whole family, and our outdoor playground at The Aussie has been a key player in this transition. Families now have an inviting space where the kids can play, allowing parents to fully engage and mingle with friends. This addition has not only elevated the overall experience but has also made our summer events more enjoyable for all,” Rodgers noted.
FUN IN THE SUN
Outdoor spaces can be a way for guests to connect with nature, whether that be through views of the surrounding area, or by introducing greenery to the space. The Harrington Hotel benefits from its coastal location.
“The picturesque views of the Manning River and the Pacific Ocean serve as both a backdrop and a focal point, enhancing the overall atmosphere and leaving a lasting impression on guests,” Stephen Hunt described.
The Bank has recently renovated all three of its outdoor spaces, which has enhanced the venue’s vibrant atmosphere.
“We put a lot of work into lighting, cladding, timber features and greenery to freshen up these spaces,” said Derrick.
With the large number of spaces in the Bank, Derrick has seen success with offering QR code ordering alongside bar service. He also prioritises walk-in seating in these areas.
“Our downstairs courtyard is considered an extension of our public bar, in the warmer months this open-air space becomes a vibrant space full of atmosphere where people will be dining, watching sport, listening to music and enjoying the warmth. We made the decision to make this space for walk-ins only as we really enjoy seeing the courtyard and bar treated as a casual, free-flowing environment where people can come and go all day,” Derrick continued.
Keeping customers cool and shaded from the sun is of key importance in the summer as well.
As well as providing sun protection, retractable coverage to outdoor areas has the added benefit of protecting against summer showers.
“Being in Victoria, we’re used to dealing with four seasons in one day. In late 2020, we had retracting roofs and blinds installed over the top of our deck and terrace function spaces to make sure all functions could go ahead no matter the weather. This has made Bank a very popular spot for celebrating in the warmer months, as patrons know they can be in an outdoor space packed with atmosphere and not have the weather ruin their plans last minute,” Derrick described.
The Brahma Lodge Hotel utilises a combination of fans and air conditioning units to keep guests comfortable.
“During the summer months, we find some patrons staying later to avoid the heat of the day, whilst others come in to take advantage of the air conditioning during the hottest part of the day. The fans running in our beer garden also draw people outside, where they can enjoy the fresh air without sweltering,” said Nathan Hunt.
The opportunities that the summer season provide are exciting, with many operators looking forward to celebrating festive occasions with their local community. By understanding and preparing for shifts in consumer needs and behaviours over this period, venues can make the most of the summer rush while providing memorable experiences for guests.
