The Golden Barley Hotel

The Golden Barley Hotel at 165-169 Edgeware Road in Enmore was opened in 1939 and was designed by architects Joy and Pollit.

It is recognised in the RAIA Reister of Significant 20th Century Buildings as a prime example of Art Deco architecture. Many original features are still in evidence throughout the hotel particularly upstairs.

Golden Barley facade detail

Public bar ceiling

There have been several internal renovations over the years but thankfully the curved ceiling mouldings have been retained thus preserving the Art Deco flavour.

Public bar

The Public Bar layout is markedly different to the original layout with the bar area now along the back wall. The give away to the layout change is the seating area underneath the ceiling moulding which runs the length of the room. These moulded ceiling highlights were an integral design feature of the bar service area below and usually mirrored the shape of the bar.

Here is a picture showing how the Public Bar was originally aligned with the curved ceiling moulding.

Back in the day of 6 o'clock closing bars were designed to have as many patrons as possible to sell beer quickly. The "6 o'clock swill" didn't get that name by accident!"

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Sources:

• ANU Open Research Library

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