Licensed establishments

Renmark Hotel

In an attempt to attract the 'right sort' of settlers to the Renmark area, the Chaffey Brothers declared the Renmark irrigation colony area 'dry'……… only to see 13 sly grog shops emerge.

The Renmark Hotel was therefore established in 1897 by a local committee, following the purchase of the Meissners Temperance Hotel in an attempt to curb the drunkenness which prevailed at the time. With a management committee in place, the Hotel became the first community owned hotel in the British Empire, established on the Gothenburg system which returns net profits to renovate and refurbish the hotel premises and financially assist community groups and projects.

Throughout the 1920's & 30's the Renmark Hotel had the reputation for being the finest in the state for accommodation and meals, resulting in the third story being added in 1937.

During the 1950's the Hotel was renowned as having the longest bar in the southern hemisphere, though this has since been remodelled. Through the many changes within the hospitality industry and the changing facade of the building and its facilities, the riverfront heritage listed Hotel continues to flourish and distribute funds to many community organisations.

Renmark Club

Resembling a large country residence rather than the building that you see today, the Renmark Club was built in 1908 and opened in May 1909 and resulted from the many English settlers who brought with them the desire for the traditional clubs for 'gentlemen only', where they could read the latest London magazines in leather chairs before a roaring fire and be waited upon.

The Club originally started in a room within the Hotel soon after this facility was established in 1897, but due to some general dissention within the community that the 'landed gentry' should be given a room of their own, and the noise emanating from the main bar, members decided to establish their own licensed Settler's Club on a piece of riverfront land a short distance upstream from the hotel.

Tradesmen, townsfolk and even bank managers were excluded from the club for many years and women were only admitted in the 1960's. In financial need and with membership still restricted to males until 1972, foresighted Board members saw the advantage of having lady members and a motion was carried to allow this.

The Club has undergone extensive renovations over the years, capturing the million dollar river views and has developed into a vibrant, family friendly dining and entertainment venue.

Our Proud History