The Denmark Hotel has thrown open its doors following extensive renovations that have transformed the iconic venue into a celebration of its Western Australian heritage, seasonal produce, and warm community spirit.
Sitting right in the heart of Denmark, the coastal pub has been a main character of the town’s story since 1926. Now, a bold new creative team is leading The Denmark Hotel into its next 100 years.
All under one roof, The Denmark Hotel will continue serving as one of the town’s favourite bar and bistros while becoming home to The Lodge and Denmark Drops. They will operate as one harmonious experience, thanks to a collaborative design process between Benson Studio and See Design Studio. The Lodge offers destination accommodation for quick weekenders or longer stays filled with winery tours, stunning hikes, and swims while Denmark Drops is the community’s newest cellar-slash-bottle-o, curating a thoughtful selection of local wines, artisanal beer, and spirits.
The Bar & Bistro: Championing the Great Southern
The Denmark Hotel is a gathering place that champions the best of the Great Southern region and Western Australia. Its ever-evolving menu highlights seasonal produce and, in turn, supports local farmers and growers. Whether it’s locals catching up with loved ones or sun-kissed travellers relaxing after a day of adventure, the Bar & Bistro is where Denmark comes to unwind, reconnect, and indulge.
Co-General Managers Ryan O’Meara and Andries Mostert are both keen for the Denmark community to see how the renovations came together.
“We know locals won’t be disappointed by this upgrade to the Denmark Hotel. The authenticity of the town’s pub has been retained, but we’ve taken the food offering to the next level and created this modern, relaxed setting for it,” O’Meara said.
“The Denmark community deserves somewhere like this. It’s the kind of place that acts as a meeting place, where everyone is welcome, as well as providing a focal point for guests visiting the region. That’s something the whole town can benefit from,” Mostert added.
Both know that wine and viticulture are the lifeblood of the region. And as winemakers themselves, they’ve got skin in the game. O’Meara is behind Express while Mostert runs Brave New Wine. The pair have guided the curation of the Bar & Bistro wine list. It will evolve over time and from season to season, but will consistently bring together local varietals with rarities from around the world.
This collective knowledge of the Great Southern terroir has also been a boon to Executive Chef Ali Osborne, who’s already well known for having slung breakfasts aplenty from the kitchen of nearby café, Mrs Jones.
“At the Denmark Hotel, making food is a labour of love,” Osborne said.
“We’re surrounded by pristine land and sea that inspire us daily. Our local growers provide us with the finest produce, including prime meat, seafood, fruit, vegetables, grains, and nuts — all sourced from our own backyard. I feel fortunate to be able to craft fresh, vibrant dishes alongside comforting pub classics, showcasing the best our region has to offer.”
The Lodge: Casual comfort inspired by the region’s beauty
While the Denmark Hotel has always offered cosy lodgings, these 24 meticulously renovated spaces — with three different types of rooms available — are a new kind of casual comfort.
“Our vision was to reveal the essence of the original hotel,” Director of Fremantle-based Benson Studio, Michael Benson said.
“Each guest room has been inspired by the natural beauty of the region: the colour palette draws from the land and sea, where sandy shores meet the bush. We wanted to create relaxed, inviting spaces designed for comfort and adventure, places where guests can truly unwind without feeling constrained by formality.”
“One of our first steps was removing ceilings, cladding, and floors that had concealed any historic character. This revealed The Lodge’s heritage features like the original balconies, now proudly showcased in the Bar & Bistro, old lighting fixtures, and timber floors. This process, combined with our contemporary application of traditional materials, and the restoration of fireplaces throughout the venue, has resulted in a warm and inviting space for all.”
Denmark Drops: A viticultural reset
This new boutique feels like the kind of cellar you might find in Northbridge or Fitzroy, but sitting alongside the cloudy bottles of orange wine — de rigueur for any picnic in 2024 — are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and the other varietals for which the Great Southern is internationally renowned.
Denmark Drops also contains a bookable tasting room that’s geared to function as a centralised cellar door for smaller, local operators and artisanal producers, or even as a small function space for events.
“As local winemakers ourselves, we could not be more excited about championing the Great Southern’s producers of wines, but also local beers, spirits, and cider,” O’Meara said.
“In addition to all the regional representation on the wine list and the taps at our Bar & Bistro, Denmark Drops brings this super eclectic range of drinks from around Australia and the world — the kinds of rarities you really can’t find anywhere else in the region. You’ll also be able to grab some locally produced cheeses, small goods, and other delicious snacks from the Drops’ own pantry.”
“Whether you need a longneck of Swan Draught to quench a thirst after a hard day, or maybe an interesting artisan bottle of wine to impress dinner guests, we’re going to have something for you. And for any budget,” Mostert added.
“Plus, with Denmark Drops we can offer a really in-depth level of local wine knowledge, and trustworthy advice on pairings, that feels accessible for everyone.”
