Australia’s longest-running Irish pub, The Mercantile Hotel in The Rocks, Sydney, is having a revamp.

Management shared on Facebook: “Our last day of trade for 12 months will be Sunday, 27th October as we give our beautiful old building some much-needed TLC and upgrades, including adding a new rooftop bar while keeping everything you love about our place.”

But regulars will still be able to get their favourite pints while the beautiful old building, famous for its iconic green tiles, gets a facelift.

“Don’t worry – the Merc you know, and love and your favourite staff aren’t going anywhere! In the meantime, you will be able to visit us at 4 Doors Down (just 25m away!) from 1st November. You’ll still find all your favourite Merc meals and drinks, including Shamrock Pies and creamy pints of Guinness. Plus, there’s a hidden beer garden perfect for summer.”

On November 8th, The Mercantile Hotel management posted on their Facebook page: “MERC FAM 🙌☘️We’re all set up in our temporary spot, just four doors down! If you’re missing us, come see us at @4doorsdownsydney, and you can even have a view of The Merc from the front tables (although our secret garden bar out back is where it’s at 🤫) Same Guinness, same Merc fam, even the same chef! And just a stone’s throw away 🍻 Happy hour is about to kick off, see you all soon! 🙌“

The Merc will reopen in time for Sydney’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations. “Your Merc fam would never leave you hanging, and St Patrick’s Day 2025 celebrations are ON. We’ve got a 3-day festival planned from 15th to 17th March where we once again takeover George Street.”

Built in 1914 and opened in 1915, The Mercantile was established to replace the old Mercantile Rowing Club Hotel. The rowing club’s lease on their old site down by the water’s edge expired in 1911 and so they moved their club to Mosman, becoming the Mosman Rowing Club that we know today.

The Mercantile has traded continuously since 1915 at 25 George Street. Located adjacent to the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge in the historic ‘Rocks’ precinct, the pub has welcomed people from all over the world to experience its famous hospitality. For more than 100 years The Mercantile has earned a reputation as the home of Irish music in Australia.

Picture: Sydney’s oldest Irish pub, The Mercantile, is undergoing renovations. Credit: The Mercantile Hotel