The Beach Hotel is a historic de-licensed

pub A pub (short for public house) is a kind of drinking establishment which is licensed to serve alcoholic drinks for consumption on the premises. The term ''public house'' first appeared in the United Kingdom in late 17th century, and was ...

in the suburb of Rozelle, above White Bay in the

Inner West The Inner West of Sydney is an area directly west of the Sydney central business district, New South Wales, Australia. The suburbs that make up the Inner West are predominantly located along the southern shore of Port Jackson (Parramatta River) ...

Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

. It is currently a private residence after having been in a long state of abandonment.

History

Built in 1881 on the corner of Smith and Mansfield Streets with an outlook over

Glebe Island Glebe Island was a major port facility in Sydney Harbour and, in association with the adjacent White Bay facility, was the primary receiving venue for imported cars and dry bulk goods in the region until 2008. It is surrounded by White, Johnston ...

and

city, the hotel was first known as the Why Not. In 1887 it became the Beach Hotel, perhaps because of the beach then existent in front of it in White Bay, but also plausibly in honour of

sculling Sculling is the use of oars to propel a boat by moving them through the water on both sides of the craft, or moving one oar over the stern. A long, narrow boat with sliding seats, rigged with two oars per rower may be referred to as a scull, it ...

champion Bill Beach, who became world champion in 1886, and returned in triumph from

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

the following year. The favourite haunt of sawmill workers, along with the neighbouring Bald Rock Hotel, it went into decline before finally closing in 1928. The closure was the result of a determination by the Licenses Reduction Board. A case was made for compensation for its closure was successful and resulted in the owner, Sydney Bebarfald, receiving £1,630, the licensee, Walter Alexander Bourke, receiving $1,530 and the lessees, Tooheys Limited, receiving £350. It later operated as a shop, boarding house and other businesses before falling into disrepair. It was completely renovated as a private house following its purchase by new owners in 2011.

References

{{coord, 33, 51, 52, S, 151, 10, 42, E, type:landmark_region:AU-NSW, display=title Defunct hotels in Sydney 1881 establishments in Australia Hotels established in 1881 Rozelle, New South Wales