This family-owned pub is a cornerstone of the local community

Established on the corner of The Parade and Queen Street in 1856, The Bath Hotel is more than simply a pub.

This long-standing community hub is a vital part of Norwood's identity.

Tony Franzon has been part of the business since 1987, when his parents took over the venue, and “it's morphed from the Franzon family to the Franzon-Lewis family because my sister got married,” he says.

“But it's still me, my sister Vicki, and my brother Peter. We're equal partners, and we all work it together.”

Outside the hotel, change has come a lot quicker.

Tony can still picture the pie cart and service station that stood opposite Norwood Town Hall when he arrived.

Even more memorable was the night when Luke Salagaras rode an elephant down The Parade to announce the opening of Lukes of Norwood.

“A lot's happened in 39 years,” he says. “It's amazing how many places have come and gone.

“If you told me 10 years ago that we were going to have apartments built on The Parade, I would have thought you were kidding.”

Now, a six-storey residential development rises over the Bath.

And through it all, the venue has remained at the heart of the local community.

“Every suburb or country town has a hotel, and they are a real focal point that can help to define a suburb,” says Tony.

He proudly promotes The Bath as “the only family-owned pub on The Parade in Norwood,” and customers will often see him and his siblings working behind the bar or enjoying a drink after their shift.

“I was sitting there the other night and I saw a group of blokes who have been coming in on Friday nights for at least 15 years,” he says.

“You don't get that when you walk into a hotel owned by one of the big boys.

Being family-driven means we try hard to be part of the community and support that community where we can.”

That includes sponsoring local sporting teams such as Old Ignatians and the Redlegs, and live sport is also a major drawcard at the hotel.

“The hotel experience is all about people getting together,” Tony explains.

And watching live sport lets you do that in a way you can't at other hospitality businesses.”

It's no surprise that the AFL Gather Round is a huge weekend for The Bath, and there will once again be a large screen set up for all the games.

The Bath Hotel will also have a stall at Norwood Food & Wine Festival, and Tony believes they're the only venue that has appeared at every edition.

“We're hugely focused on South Australian produce,” he adds.

“It's just another way of being part of the local community.”

Gather Round starts on Thursday 9 April

Norwood Food and Wine Festival takes place from 11am on Sunday 12 April

Visit today

232 The Parade, Norwood
W: bathhotel.com.au
I: /bath_hotel