BROTHERS’ BOSS: Gavin Donoghue will manage Danny Brothers’ Hamilton businesses, including the recently acquired House on Hood, CBD and Rodeo Rodeo.
Three Hood St bars have been bought by an Auckland company.
Danny Brothers has bought House on Hood, CBD and Rodeo Rodeo, which were put on the market by Phoenix Group in January this year.
Danny Brothers operates seven pubs in Auckland: four Doolan Brothers pubs, Danny Doolans, O’Hagans and The Cavalier Tavern.
The company also owns Te Rapa pub Cock and Bull.
Gavin Donoghue, the company’s regional manager for Hamilton, said the three bars would continue to trade in their present form for the time being.
He indicated there could be concept changes, but was in no position to confirm anything yet.
“There will be a bit of a new lease on life for Hood St in the future.”
He said any changes won’t be made until August or September this year.
Danny Brothers is negotiating with Phoenix Group over whether the three bars will stock beer from Good George, Phoenix Group’s craft brewery.
“On a personal level, I do like Good George beer.
“We think it’s a great brand,” he said.
“We will be making sure there’ll be some craft [beer].”
Donoghue said Hamilton has a great atmosphere, and the company was more than happy to invest in the area.
“Hamilton is a bit of an untapped resource,” he said.
“Though it may be going through a cycle where parts of it are a bit tired.
“We bring something to the table in terms of our product.”
He said there was “definitely not” a plan to open three Irish pubs on Hood St.
Phoenix Group managing director Darrel Hadley said the company was pulling out of late-night venues to focus on its restaurants and residential pubs, and in particular growing the Good George brand.
The company had to decide whether to continue watering itself down over many restaurants and bars, or focus on a few core brands.
“Like any business, it takes time and passion. And our passion now is Good George,” he said.
“We obviously believe in it, otherwise we wouldn’t be getting out of businesses like House, which have been really successful for us.”
But that doesn’t mean Phoenix is pulling out of the CBD.
The group operates Iguana restaurant on Victoria St and Little George brew bar on Hood St, which will soon expand its range to include guest craft beers as well as Good George.
“It’s in our interest that craft beer continues to get drunk in the central city.”
Little George was originally opened as a trial concept bar, but Hadley said it has proved to be successful and the company wanted to keep it going.
Phoenix Group will open its new Rototuna pub Good Neighbour this month.
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