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HOSPITALITY · HERITAGE · HISTORY · HUMOUR
The Fed is a historic icon of Port Pirie, with more than a century of history as a beloved gathering place for locals and visitors alike. We take pride in continuing this tradition, focusing on creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere where you can unwind and connect with friends, both old and new. No pokies, no dickheads and just the right amount of bullshit. Come experience the charm of our historic pub, and enjoy live sports, great music, and learn about the rich heritage of our venerable establishment.
We purchased the Federal Hotel Port Pirie in 2015. With its unique 6 storey watchtower, climbing up 120 year old ladders to get there, the view on top over the Spencer Gulf, Southern Flinders Ranges, Port Pirie Township – this experience captured us! As avid travellers we had just experienced something we never had in a hotel and the idea of combining a tour into our hotel operations was born. We commenced our due diligence and made our successful offer.
We haven’t looked back since.
THE FRONT BAR
Step into a room that ekes ambiance with its redgum slab dry bars, original redbrick walls, matchboard dado, and 123 year old mini orb metal ceiling. Try a whiskey or a wine with ice-cold beer around an old school horseshoe bar. The best place to have a laugh with friends and watch some sport. In winter, cozy up to the double-sided open fire to warm you up.
THE LOUNGES
Adjacent to the Front Bar, the “Old Ladies Lounge” can host intimate gatherings of up to twenty people, featuring a similar ambiance to the Front Bar with a touch more privacy. The recently renovated “Adult Lounge” offers an elegant feel with comfortable chesterfields, old-world fireplaces, high ceilings, ceiling roses, big cornices, and chandeliers. This room is perfect for larger groups of up to forty. Both rooms are ideal for smaller functions or catchups with family and friends.
THE BACK BAR
What was once the pub’s first beer garden is now fully enclosed and houses the Back Bar. Here, you’ll find a pool table, dart board, more redgum dry bars, and the pub’s stage and lighting. Enjoy a more casual atmosphere with plenty of entertainment options.
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN HISTORY
Located at the edge of the CBD in Port Pirie, South Australia, The Fed was constructed and licensed in 1898. Originally named The Rising Sun it was renamed in 1900 to celebrate Federation. Since then the building has had very minor structural alterations from its original Hotel Plan with many of the building’s original features still in place. This is uncommon for a building over 120 years old.
The Fed is a unique local heritage building, featuring ornate wrought iron architecture and a 6-storey high watchtower that offers breathtaking views of the Spencer Gulf, Southern Flinders Ranges, and the picturesque township of Port Pirie. While lookout towers were once a common feature of hotels in Port Pirie, this view is now exclusive to The Fed and not available to the general public from any other location.
As a family-run hotel, we take great pride in our historic building and are committed to ongoing renovations to modernise it while preserving its character and charm. As a result, the hotel may appear different from month to month.
LIVE MUSIC
The Federal Hotel is a hub for quality music, featuring a small yet exceptional PA system and an impressive lighting rack. Our regular live music acts span a variety of genres, including original music interspersed with some classic pub rock, catering to all musical tastes. We host smaller acts in our front bar and larger bands in our back bar to provide the perfect atmosphere for the audience.
Over the years, we’ve had the pleasure of hosting many talented artists on our stage, including Slayvia Gregoran, Jeff Lang, Catherine Britt, Melody Moko, Gwyn Ashston, Matt Ward, and Kelly Menhennett, to name a few. We host live music performances most Friday nights and host entertaining karaoke sessions on the last Saturday of every month.
BEERS ON TAP
FEEDING YOU
While we are currently working on getting our kitchen up and running, we have arranged for some great dining options for our patrons. You can order from the local pizza shop, fish & chips, chicken shop, and a nearby cafe, and they will deliver your food straight to your table at no extra cost. You can find menus available at our bar, so feel free to order and enjoy a great meal with us.
THE CAR PARK
In addition to serving our local patrons, our car park is also designed to accommodate self-contained RVs and caravans seeking a safe and comfortable overnight stay. With prior approval, guests are welcome to park their vehicles on our privately owned land and invited to explore the town and enjoy the hospitality of our hotel. The area features a bocce court and playground and sits in a suburban neighborhood nestled behind the pub surrounded by leafy London Planetrees and bougainvillea.
However, it is important to note that this is not a caravan park or a free campsite. In order to maintain the safety and comfort of our guests, camping, fires, outside dining, hanging washing, pets, music, and generators are strictly prohibited. Please respect these rules as they are enforced to ensure the enjoyment of all. Finally, please be advised that vehicles are left at the owner’s risk and we do not accept responsibility for their safekeeping.
THE TOURS
The Federal Hotel offers a captivating tour of its old and restored areas, showcasing many original federation heritage features and providing a glimpse into its fascinating history. The tour offers insights into the architectural style of the time and some remarkable engineering accomplishments, given that the hotel was built in 1898 using wood and bricks, and still stands today at five storeys high (just barely include the tower).
Here’s a few interesting tidbits to whet your appetite:
UPCOMING EVENTS
SAVE THE WATCHTOWER!
The Fed is a local heritage-listed building, and its unique watchtower is integral to this designation. Unfortunately the watchtower has suffered years of neglect due to absentee landlords and disinterest in maintaining a tower that was not used as part of the hotel’s operations
Our end goal is to upgrade the watchtower to allow for daily guided tours, make it accessible as a viewing platform and preserve it as an important part of Port Pirie’s heritage for future generations.
However our first priority is simply to prevent further damage! When we bought the Fed, the watchtower had been leaking water through the roof for many years, causing dry rot in the flagpole and internal structure. The continued water ingress has caused structural damage and we need to stop the water coming in as a matter of urgency to prevent the watchtower becoming a safety issue.
During the COVID-19 pandemic we made the decision to spend the money earmarked for the Watchtower Upgrade on keeping our staff employed during our forced COVID closure. At this point our funds have been severely depleted, so we’ve been reaching out to the community at large for help. Any contribution you make to help save this iconic piece of Port Pirie history will be greatly appreciated – please visit our GoFundMe page for further details.
TESTIMONIALS
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LATEST PHOTOS
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We are always available to answer any questions, whether you are a local patron or a traveler passing through.
GET IN TOUCH
Our passion for the hotel, Port Pirie, and the Southern Flinders Ranges runs deep, and we look forward to sharing it with you.
FEDERAL HOTEL PORT PIRIE
OPENING HOURS
Something about open hours on public holidays.
| Day | Open Time |
|---|---|
| Monday | 11:00 am – 9:00 pm |
| Tuesday | Closed For Renovations |
| Wednesday | Closed For Renovations |
| Thursday | 11:00 am – 9:00 pm |
| Friday | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm |
| Saturday | 11:00 am – 12:00 am |
| Sunday | 11:00 am – 9:00 pm |
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