A pub once famous for adult entertainment and jelly wrestling has transformed into a more family-friendly establishment.
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The 64-year-old building once known as Cringila Pub began its metamorphosis into the Five Islands Hotel when it sold to Oscars Hotels group for $1.1million in 2017.
The group have Pepe's On The Beach, The Port Darling Harbour, The Belvedere Hotel, Annandale Hotel, Towradgi Beach Hotel and Novotel North Beach in their stable.
In late 2020 the venue reopened with a new entrance, new bistro, an indoor/outdoor sports bar, new fixtures and colour scheme.
The Five Islands Hotel was then snapped up in 2021 by Ludlow Hospitality, a pub fund with some wealthy New York families as investors.
After a long period of COVID lockdown and homeschooling I'm sure parents will relish the opportunity to enjoy these facilities
- Paddy Coughlan
Ludlow Hospitality CEO and well-known Sydney publican Paddy Coughlan purchased the establishment for $20.7million as part of a plan to purchase a swag of pubs for the group from a $200million fund over the next year.
While $20.7million is significantly more expensive that $1.1million, Coughlan said pubs are a solid investment - they seem to be able to take whatever the world can dish out and just keep going along.
"It's just an extremely resilient business, which has never been more evident than with COVID," he says
The Five Islands Hotel may not be in the top suburb on most people's list when looking to buy, it is in a suburb with a growing and maturing demographic.
That maturation is reflected in the redevelopment of the pub.
The installation of the latest kids play equipment and entertainment area includes a play gym for younger kids and an entertainment area complete with video games for older children.
Mr Coughlan said the new kids playground was part of the final shift in focus for the Five Islands Hotel.
"Mums and dads will be able to get some peace in the bistro while the kids enjoy themselves," he said.
"After a long period of COVID lockdown and homeschooling I'm sure parents will relish the opportunity to enjoy these facilities.
"The playground area is completely secure, under cover and the glass frontage into the bistro means you can see your children at all times."
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