Townsville’s Hotel Allen Is Back, Here’s What To Expect From The Multimillion-Dollar Revamp

After a two-year, $13 million overhaul, one of Townsville’s oldest pubs is officially back.

Hotel Allen, the 150-year-old North Ward institution, has reopened with a fresh new look and more space to dine, play and stay. One block back from The Strand, the revamped precinct brings together a family-friendly bistro, sports bar, gaming lounge, tropical-inspired beer garden and 54-room hotel, complete with a landscaped swimming pool.

The result is local pub meets coastal staycation, making it a central hub for anyone grabbing a post-beach feed, catching the footy or booking a city break.  

The multimillion-dollar makeover pays homage to Hotel Allen's heritage. Dating back to the late 1950s, the distinctive mid-century motel-style facade has been carefully restored, while the interiors bring a modern spin to retro North Queensland style. 

Think timber furniture, white brick walls, lush greenery and sunny pops of colour, with vibrant artworks and a large-scale hand-painted mural nodding to local icons like Castle Hill and Magnetic Island.

At the heart of the precinct is the beer garden, where picnic-style seating and festoon lights create a laidback spot for a long lunch, afternoon drink or live music session. The adjacent bistro spills out onto a breezy terrace, with communal tables and high-top seating making it equally suited to families and big groups as it is to couples on a casual date night.  

Then there's the Sports Bar, kitted out for big-game viewing with a massive LED screen wall, pool tables, foosball and flexible seating for the whole crew. A gaming lounge rounds out the pub offering. 

There's plenty to entice younger visitors, too. A shaded outdoor playground keeps little ones entertained, while the retro arcade is packed with classics including Mortal Kombat, Pac-Man and Space Invaders, alongside pinball machines for the kids and adults alike. 

Across the venue, the menu is stacked with familiar pub favourites from burgers to salads and grilled steaks to seafood classics. Notably, there's also a dedicated chicken parmy menu with five different versions to work your way through (start with the Aussie parmy and thank us later). Behind the bar, expect a line-up of local and imported beers on tap, a curated selection of wine and spirits, plus signature cocktails.  

Upstairs, 54 design-savvy guest rooms, including seven suites, keep the tropical-retro theme going with relaxed interiors, playful pops of colour and private balconies overlooking the street. The real sweetener? A guest-only pool area surrounded by sun loungers and parasols, with drinks and snacks available to order poolside.

“Hotel Allen has been a place where Townsville locals have come together for over a century. Locals have a lot of memories tied to this place, so it was important that the renovation didn’t lose the character and easygoing feel people remember,” says venue manager Dale Novelli. 

“This reopening is about bringing Hotel Allen back in a way that feels familiar but fresh. Whether people are coming in for sport, a family meal, a drink in the beer garden, a night out or a weekend stay, we want it to feel like a true local again,” Novelli adds. 

Hotel Allen’s Weekly Offers And Events    

There’s always something happening across the precinct throughout the week, from cheap pub classics to live music, trivia and community events.

• Monday: Free pool all day and kids eat free.
• Tuesday: Kids eat free.
• Wednesday: $25 parmy night, plus a pool competition and trivia from 7pm.
• Thursday: $25 steak night, plus Locals Night with community raffles and Spin the Wheel competitions.
• Friday: Tradie Club BBQ from 3pm, followed by live music from 8pm.
• Saturday: Live music in the beer garden from 3pm to 6pm, followed by DJ and karaoke from 9pm.
• Sunday: $29 Sunday roast, free kids’ entertainment from 12pm to 3pm and live music from 3pm to 6pm.

Image credit: Supplied