Eye Catching New Terrace Just the Beginning at Harrigan’s

If you’ve visited the Hunter Valley vineyard region, you’re more than likely to have dropped in for a quick drink or a bite to eat at Harrigan’s Irish Pub. With rustic stone walls, gleaming wood bars and authentic Irish décor, Harrigan’s offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere, surrounded by lush landscaped gardens and picturesque vineyard views.

But if you haven’t stopped by Harrigan’s for a while, now is a good time to book your return visit to make the most of the lingering summer weather on their extensively renovated terrace and outdoor dining area, or sample the mouth-watering delights on their new menu.

Your Hunter Valley Magazine talked to Manager Chris Codd this month to find out exactly what’s changed at the Hunter’s favourite Irish pub – and what other surprises are in store.

I believe there have been some new additions to the pub’s dining areas lately Chris - can you tell me what has changed and when?

We have refurbished our terrace adding an outdoor bar and kitchen, plus a beautiful new dining space that extends out to a covered alfresco area. In addition, we have a new sports bar with a separate outdoor space and sitting area. On top of this, we have the rest of the internals of the pub including the bar and bistro currently being renovated and set to open in mid-2019 – we are very excited about it!

What do these new areas add to the mix of spaces at Harrigan’s?

In addition to the extra space it brings a much more open feel. The high wood panelled ceiling with skylight is an eye-catching feature, and glistening fairy lights create the perfect ambient location to enjoy a glass or two of the Hunter Valley’s fantastic wine. Our architects have done an amazing job of the design – the space is not only impressive to look at but gives a grand and expansive feel.

"The alfresco area can also be sectioned off for groups of 10-30 people, making them perfect for smaller events and corporate groups, or book the entire area for large functions and enjoy our fantastic Harrigan’s hospitality!"

I believe the menu has also recently changed at the pub – what’s new in the kitchen?

Our head chef is the very talented Netra Subedi. Netra, whose heritage is Nepalese, has brought

with him a wealth of experience working in some of the best resorts in Dubai, as well a range of great Australian venues. We change our menu seasonally, but the most recent change was brought about by the continuation of our renovations. Currently, the main kitchen is being refurbished to make way for our incredible new inside space, so we have created a menu that offers a range of excellent modern Australian dining options that can be served in the new terrace spaces.

Customers will notice some old favourites such as the steak sandwich and our signature crispy schnitzel, plus a selection of new delicious meals that cater for all tastes and dietary requirements. Additionally, there is a selection of kids’ meals to keep the little ones happy.

What are some of the highlights on the new menu?

The Harrigan’s burger has been a huge hit so far – our chefs went all out with this creation, which includes a juicy beef patty with blue cheese mayo, grilled chorizo, smoky bacon, beetroot, iceberg lettuce, soft fried egg and our Granny Smith and cabbage slaw. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but it’s absolutely delicious! If something a bit lighter is your preference, our seared Atlantic salmon with autumn vegetables and tarragon butter sauce is a big winner.

Our signature Beef and Guinness pie is sadly not on the menu currently due to the renovations, but we will be bringing this back later in the year to warm up customers in the cooler months.

What else is coming up Harrigan’s?

We are very excited to have our signature St Patrick’s day event coming up! Being an Irish pub this is one of our favourite days of the year, and we get an awesome crowd to the venue. This year we are celebrating all weekend March 16/17, we will have Irish bands, Irish dancers, a pipe band and $9 pints of Guinness, Kilkenny and Magners cider.

Images by Chris Elfes