Beach Hotel owners call last drinks

AFTER a decade as owners of The Beach Hotel in Jan Juc, Rohan and Kirsty Pertzel have decided it’s the right time to say goodbye following the sale of the pub.

With the sale due to settle next week, the couple said that now felt like the right time to move on.

“We’re going to take a break from hospitality; we’ve been in the industry for 20 years now so it’s time for us to have a bit of a spell,” Kirsty said.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone for the last 10 years. We’ve been really lucky; everyone embraced us even though we weren’t local at the time and it’s been a hell of a ride.”

There have been many memorable moments over the decade, including surfer Matt Wilkinson’s large bar tab of almost $5,000 after his 2016 Rip Curl Pro win, while Easter and Christmas proved a fun time at work for the couple.

“Easter would have to be our favourite time of year to work when the Rip Curl Pro is on, it’s a great time, everyone is happy and it’s just good vibes everywhere,” Rohan said.

“Wilko’s $5,000 bar tab was a nice get after he won the 2016 Rip Curl Pro. He came in and celebrated, with the bar tab eventually ending up in the news so that was pretty cool.

“Christmas is also a great time and we’ve made some lovely friends in the 10 years we’ve been here, through the pub, suppliers and staff; it’s been incredible.

“We’re sad to go but it’s a good time to go. We’ve had a few pubs from Ballarat to Queenscliff and then to here, so we’re looking forward to enjoying the area for the first summer in 10 years.”

The Beach Hotel has supported the Jan Juc Cricket Club, Boardriders Club, Surf Club, Torquay Football and Netball Club, and supported all the schools and kindergartens in the area too, which they have loved to be a part of.

To thank the community, suppliers and their staff, Rohan and Kirsty are inviting everyone for “last drinks” on Friday, January 12 (tomorrow) from 5pm at The Beach Hotel, with live music from 7.30pm and happy hour beginning at 5pm.

The Beach Hotel is located at 3 Stuart Avenue, Jan Juc.