AFTER 116 days closed due to coronavirus the 116-year-old Thompson's Hotel in Cobden will open its doors on Thursday night.
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Owner Robert Gayton's great grandfather, Dennis Thompson, opened the pub in 1904 and the pub has stayed in the family ever since.
Mr Gayton took over the pub in 1984 after his Uncle Bob died.
"Uncle Bob was a bachelor and he died in 1984, I grew up in Melbourne," he said.
"Mum used to take us to Thompson's Hotel regularly for holidays when we were kids.
"I think Uncle Bob taught me how to pour a beer when I was about 12, so I was the favourite nephew."
Mr Gayton ran the hotel until October 2002 and the pub had different tenants until 2018 when he took over again. Mr Gayton is based in Ballarat where he runs the City Oval Hotel.
He said he and Thompson's Hotel manager Paul Sullivan gave the building a deep clean last week and deliveries had been coming in preparation for Thursday night's opening.
"My job as a publican is to make sure it all works for them and it's not really my bar it's their bar, I just look after it for them," he said.
"It's all about hospitality which is all about good food, good beer, nice clean premises and good staff.
"I enjoy people having fun, and it's been so tough with coronavirus.
"When you walk through my door you're my customer and I'll look after you.
"There aren't a lot of old fashioned publicans left.
"A few people have had a crack at it. If you're not 24/7 heart and soul it's then not the game for people.
"Pubs aren't 9am to 5pm. You've got to be adaptable, I think it keeps you young."
I think Uncle Bob taught me how to pour a beer when I was about 12.
- Publican Robert Gayton
Mr Gayton said people would need to make a reservation and people's names and phone numbers would be recorded.
On Friday Cobden butcher Marlin Walsh will open Steakroad Bar and Grill at the Cobden Golf Club.
Mr Walsh said he took over the business shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic hit and was excited to finally open the doors to the public.
"We planned to open just before the restrictions were changed again," he said. "We can still get 40 people in. It's exciting for Cobden. People have had to go to Camperdown or Port Campbell for a decent meal."
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