Beloved neighbourhood pub the Cosmopolitan Hotel, in the heart of Trentham, is celebrating 15 years since reopening with a four-day birthday bash this coming Easter weekend.
Following a tragic fire in 2005 that engulfed the original pub, a local institution that had been standing 90km northwest of Melbourne since 1866, the pub was purchased in 2009. From there, it underwent a complete rebuild and refurb that brought the legacy business back to its Gold Rush glory days.
The now legendary beer garden and newly restored stable barn were completed in 2010, and the pub welcomed back its first patrons in 2012. Celebrating this storied history, the Cosmopolitan Hotel is set to stage a huge birthday bash with a thrilling roster of live music and onstage entertainment.
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As the pub owner Rod Hughes says, it’s been a long and challenging journey to bring the Cosmo Hotel back to its past heights. The venue is ever-evolving, he assures locals as well as new punters.
“Over the years,” he says, “our business has grown to include the Hotel bar and restaurant; our heritage beer garden; the Wine Store; the Stables function room; and the luxurious Cosmopolitan Cottage accommodation. We couldn’t be prouder of how far we’ve come, and we owe it all to our incredible customers – both locals and visitors – whose support has made it possible.”
Bringing with him a strong background in business and finance, Rod has remained a steady guiding hand for the pub’s success over the years. However, he understands what matters most is the sense of community spirt that his pub generates within the small local population.
Paying tribute to the history of the Cosmo Hotel, where live music has always been at the pub’s social core, Rod brings a lifelong love of music to this upcoming 15-year anniversary weekend.
“I have always been a massive music fan,” he admits, “from my first job as an 18-year-old at the Myer record department. Not many would remember this store, but I have to say it fuelled my love for music, particularly Australian music.”
Of the many performers taking to the stage across 18-21 April, Rod remains most excited by the event’s headline act, Steve Kilbey of Aussie rock band The Church. It’s safe to say Rod is a huge fan, having followed the group religiously since their inception in 1980.
“To have Steve Kilbey locked in for the Sunday night performance just blows my mind,” he admits. “In saying that, I feel extremely spoilt and honoured, and I can’t wait to see all these exceptionally talented acts perform over four days.”
With the revolving door of stellar local talent that regularly grace the Cosmo Hotel stage, Rod has never felt the itch to get up there and join them.
“Most definitely not! Not my skillset! Instead, owning the hotel,” he affirms, “I’m lucky enough to be entertained by amazing musicians every Saturday afternoon. Also we have regular ticketed gigs in the Stables, which are put on by our talented friends, Delsinki Duzel Productions.”
The upcoming Easter weekend is a four-day bonanza featuring performers from metropolitan Melbourne and the surrounding neighbourhood, promising to be an event that will put the Cosmo Hotel on the map, as the local legend it’s become across more than 150 years of service.
Rod underlines the key takeaway for this Easter birthday bash as such: “To celebrate this momentous milestone and give thanks for the incredible support of locals and visitors.”
He gives thanks to the ongoing support of the pub’s friends at Delsinki Duzel Productions for curating the huge lineup of the four-day musical celebration. “Featured are five brilliant Australian acts,” Rod asserts, “and a very special ticketed show with Mr Steve Kilbey on Sunday night.”
Promising top-tier pub grub, a local drop of craft ales and crisp lagers, as well as premium-grade local talent, the 15-year birthday bash at the Cosmopolitan Hotel promises to be a night – or four! – to remember.
The Cosmo’s 15th birthday bash is a free event, hosted on the corner of High Street and Cosmo Road, Trentham. Only the Steve Kilbey show will be a charged event. Grab your tickets here.
This article was made in partnership with the Cosmopolitan Hotel.
