Pub made famous by Slim Dusty is forced to shut its doors
The Town and Country pub in Sydney’s inner west where Slim Dusty once sang I’d Love to Have a Beer with Duncan has been forced to shut its doors.
The St Peters Hotel has a long history, having been founded in 1881 and has survived numerous crises, but the current cost of living issues and high rent have finally put a nail in its coffin.
In a statement on the restaurant’s Facebook page stated, “To our loyal customers who have become friends … We’ve made many attempts to work harmoniously and reasonably with our landlord on building repairs, continuous complaints from neighbours and also our rent, resulting in an unsuccessful mediation.
“We are devastated at this outcome and we’d like to extend our thanks to you for sticking by us for the last six years. We’ve overcome many challenges including license issues, WestConnex roadworks, our cellar flooding and of course, Covid.
“We worked our way through it all and we would’ve loved to continue to bring life to the Inner West, however we are now unable to do so.”
The pub gained enormous fame when Australian music legend Slim Dusty said the pub was local in the 1980s song.
The classic lyrics are: “We drink at the Town and Country. Where the atmosphere is great. I love to have a beer with Duncan, ’Cause Duncan’s me mate”.
The song was a number one hit in Australia for at least 23 weeks, with the pub also featuring in the video clip.
Locals are understandably shattered.
One patron said, “So sad about this. You have all done a wonderful job and were very lovely to talk to when I came to eat lunch.
“The T & C has been open for years and hopefully, somehow will continue. I hope you will all find other employment soon. Bloody cruel.”
“Thank you for supporting live music, providing a fantastic venue for us, and just ‘being’ the T and C over the years,” a former performer at the pub said.
“The memory of your pub will be forever embedded in our memories. Best of luck for whatever the future holds for you. You were ‘simply the best’.”
One T&C patron even called on the council to intervene to help repair the pub.
“How can this happen? Surely the Inner West Council can do something here?” they said.
Jonathan Jackson, 20th July 2023
