A familiar face has reopened on Sydney’s North Shore, with Epochal Hotels giving the Old Commodore Hotel a fresh look that honours the story of William “Billy” Blue, who gave the pub and surrounding area their character.
Transported to New South Wales as a convict, Billy “The Old Commodore” Blue became a ferryman, entrepreneur and local personality, earning land at Blues Point. His son, John Blue, opened the original Old Commodore Inn in 1854, continuing his father’s legacy of hospitality and community – a heritage now reflected in the pub’s refreshed design and renewed atmosphere.
Situated between North Sydney and McMahons Point, the pub has been a local institution for more than 169 years, and the latest iteration of the venue pays homage to its rich history while welcoming in a new generation of patrons, says Glenn Piper, CEO of Epochal Hotels.
“Since acquiring The Old Commodore Hotel, we’ve been on a remarkable journey bringing this iconic venue back to life. Exploring the history of Billy Blue, the larger-than-life character who helped shape Sydney’s North Shore, has been a highlight of that journey,” he explained.
“The Old Commodore Hotel has always been a place where people come together. With this reopening, we’ve poured our energy into ensuring that this continues for a new generation, while letting Billy Blue’s bold, welcoming, and full-of-character spirit shine through. It’s once again a space where locals and visitors can gather, share stories, and make new memories and we couldn’t be prouder to welcome the community back.”
Designed as a living tribute to Billy Blue, the updated pub features a main bar, dining room, terrace and beer garden, sports bar and a bottle shop. Hard surfaces like timber, steel and brick are contrasted with softer finishes like travertine, linen and brass, while nautical stripes, hand-painted signage and pressed metal ceilings reflect Billy Blue’s maritime history.
Described as “the pub’s beating heart”, the main bar sets the stage for a new music program of local acts and emerging artists. While the main bar will be the central hub for music, it will also extend to the sports bar – a moody, cellar-style space that shows sports by day, and transitions into a music den by night.
The music program continues in the terrace and beer garden, where sun-drenched outdoor spaces will showcase live acts and DJs year-round, and landscaping reflects the fertile gardens once planted at Blues Point by Billy Blue.
Finally, the dining room offers a more intimate space and a showcase of Billy Blue’s legacy with portraits, press clippings and artefacts lining the walls. The menu is approachable with dishes like woodfired pizzas, chicken parmi, fish and chips and a choice of steaks, while patrons can also expect elevated seafood dishes such as bug roll and crab croquettes.
Drinks-wise, the pub offers signature and classic cocktails, Australian wines, craft beers, and considered non-alcoholic options.
The Old Commodore Hotel, which was acquired in 2023 and reopened yesterday, is the second renewal project to be revealed by Epochal Hotels this year, having launched Bombie’s at the Harbord Hotel in June as an expansion of the venue’s existing offering.
The group also expanded its portfolio of landmark pubs with the acquistitions of the Tumbulgum Tavern on the Northern Rivers and the Bermgui Beach Hotel on the South Coast earlier this year.
Check out the full renovation below:
