The Admirals Arms – Under New Management
Often referred to by Coromandel locals as, ‘The Bottom Pub’, The Admirals Arms is an historic two-storey hotel conveniently located right in the heart of town. Originally known as The Golconda Hotel, it was granted its first liquor license in the heady gold rush days of 1872. It wasn’t until 1975 that it was renamed ‘The Golconda Tavern’, and that lasted until 1998 when the hotel name was changed to The Admirals Arms Hotel.
The Admirals Arms rightfully boasts of being the only pub in town with sea views over the Karaka Stream to the Coromandel Harbour from its upper deck. During its 144-year history, the pub has been a popular spot, starting in the heyday of the mining boom right up until today. It’s a place where tourists and locals alike mix and mingle in historic surroundings.
As of August 11, 2016, The Admirals Arms Hotel has been under new management. The pub’s new licensee is Kelvin Ricketts. Although new to the license trade in New Zealand, Kelvin is not unknown to the industry, for a large number of his family including uncles and cousins and Kelvin himself were, or still are, publicans back in Dorset and Somerset in the South of England.
One of Kelvin’s first tasks was to reopen the upstairs restaurant and outside deck. The Top Deck Restaurant & Café will offer a relaxed casual dining environment during the daytime serving a gastro-pub style brunch with venison, surf and turf, sirloin steak, Thai beef salad, chowder, scallops and fish and chips on the menu.
Specials due to be introduced in summer will include a bucket of mussels for $25 and a bucket of beers for $25 – perfect for four people or even just two people who might be both hungry and thirsty. In the evenings the Top Deck will be redressed to become a restaurant with its own separate ambiance offering a completely different menu choice for diners.
In keeping with its outdoor theme, the downstairs Golconda Garden Bar is a great place to combine a cold pint or glass of wine with an alfresco meal. To get into the feel of summer on weekends, the outdoor wood-fired pizza oven will be producing gourmet pizzas and the barbecue will be running hot with staff serving sizzling steaks and sausages that all the family can enjoy – by the way, kids are very welcome when accompanied by an adult.
On the menu in The Gold Rush Lounge Bar will be many local favourites such as tasty salads, burgers, steaks and nachos with some added enhancements such as specials and a wider choice of vegetarian meals that are bound to receive huge ticks of customer approval.
Over in the Port O’Call Sports Bar patrons will find two pool tables, two darts boards and a warm welcome year-round. In the future darts and pool competitions are planned, regular karaoke and live music nights, with all the proceeds from the Thursday night meat raffle going to charities. There is also a TAB and large screen TVs on site too.
For out-of-town travellers looking for a friendly place to rest their heads, The Admirals Arms also offers an upper storey accommodation wing with three different room configurations to choose from, two shared bathrooms and a shared kitchen and lounge area.
So the next time you’re heading to Coromandel, pop into The Admirals Arms for a warm welcome in a family friendly atmosphere – a winning Coromandel combination!