Locals say ‘cheers’ as Nabawa Valley Tavern is launched

The beer was cold, the fryer was hot, and the atmosphere was lively at the region’s newest tavern over the weekend.

After its first day of trading on Thursday, a steady flow of punters visited the pub for drinks and grub on Saturday, with many happy to have a local watering hole again after three years.

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The Valley Tavern, 40km north of Geraldton in the shire of Chapman Valley, makes up the trifecta of venues owned by the Freemasons Hotel and Murchison Tavern’s Kristina Drage and Scott Simister.

It originally opened in 1973 but had sat empty for the last few years until the hospitality duo revitalised the historic country venue while making sure they maintained it’s humble, down-to-earth vibe.

Most noticeable among the renovations was in fact the outside, with a freshly landscaped lawn area fit for families to have a meal at picnic tables in the sunshine.

The beer garden and bar were full, with a few guests also seated in the dining room on Saturday evening as the sun set.

Tavern manager Semi Tokula has moved from his duties at the Freemasons to focus on The Valley Tavern full-time, saying they had received a lot of support from the public since opening just a few days earlier.

The tavern will host an official grand opening party next Saturday night, with buses available for safe transport between Geraldton and Nabawa.