Norman Hotel

About

Brisbane's Worst Vegetarian Restaurant

Story

Fondly known as Brisbane's worst vegetarian restaurant, the Norman Hotel is an iconic Australian Steakhouse, Bar & Beer Garden. A 'must visit' destination whether you're a local of simply visiting our beautiful city.

Mission

The story of the Norman Hotel started in 1885 when Mr Robert Heaslop purchased two lots of land in Woolloongabba from Mrs Elizabeth Qualtrough, after whom Qualtrough Street is named.

Mr Heaslop's vision was to build a grand hotel on his land for a not insubstantial amount (in those times) of £3,500.

In the late 1880s, Queensland was beginning to develop its own distinctive architecture, reflected by John B Nicolson's design of the Norman Hotel. Construction of the hotel by F Steffens was completed in 1889 - the same year Central Station opened.

Heaslop decided to name the hotel after Sir Henry Norman, the newly appointed Governor of Queensland. Norman, who relocated to Queensland from Jamaica, was a well-respected and likeable Governor as demonstrated by the number of Brisbane localities named after him.

From 1896, Heaslop leased the hotel before selling it to brewing company, Perkins & Co, in 1900. Perkins & Co, which acquired a number of Brisbane pubs in the same year, was known for its series of beers featuring the letter X. They produced the Perkins XXX Bitter Ale, the iconic XXXX Bitter Ale (introduced in 1924) and even a XXXXXX beer. (The number of Xs referred to the alcoholic strength of the beer.)

Perkins & Co leased the Norman to a series of Publicans until 1928, when the brewer was taken over by its biggest rival and Castlemaine Perkins was born.

With the exception of minor renovations and the construction of air raid shelters, the Norman Hotel remained relatively unchanged until the late 1980s.

In 1987, the Cavill family of hoteliers purchased the Norman Hotel and some adjoining land, on which they built a beer garden and outdoor dining area. The air raid shelters and stables were also removed from the rear of the property and, in 1988, the now-famous steakhouse opened.

With their experience in operating successful pubs and steak restaurants, the Cavills quickly transformed the Norman Hotel into one of Brisbane's most iconic, destination pubs.

As its popularity and reputation grew, the Norman Hotel became known as Brisbane's Worst Vegetarian Restaurant - a tag that endures today.

In 2006, the Cavills sold the Norman Hotel. Today the hotel is owned by the Power family. The Power family is steeped in Queensland hospitality industry history going back to the 1930s and today the third generation of the family operates the Norman Hotel and is proud to continue the great traditions of this iconic Queensland venue.,
In 2009, fire broke out at the Norman Hotel during the popular Friday lunchtime service. While there were no injuries to staff or patrons nor damage to the historic public bar, the pub was forced to close for a month for restoration.

When it reopened, everything patrons had come to know and love about the hotel was back - great steaks and great atmosphere - with a new addition to enhance the Norman experience, Norman's Bar.

Early 2014 the hotel under went more refurbishment including refreshing the Beergarden which included alcove seating, split by garden walls, different dining spaces, new outdoor dining furniture, wagon wheel at entrance with herb garden, an iconic fig tree that stands proudly in the middle, and timber high bars to create more after work drinking spaces. To compliment this area the Front Bar had a general facelift as did Normans Bar.

The management and staff of the Norman Hotel encourage you to discover what has made the Norman such a special place to meat and dine for the past 126 years.

Products

Steak Restaurant, Bar & Beer Garden