Beijing Boyce

Browns ranked among the hottest and most talked about places in town a year ago, but has been slipping off the radar and I’ve heard comments - primarily though not entirely from the pub’s competitors - that it might be last call. I talked to managing partner Philip Cheung on Sunday and he said there are no plans to close and that while regular business “has gone down a bit”, Browns continues to attract functions. Well, plans change: GB sent an SMS this afternoon saying Browns was closed and a quick visit now found the door chained, the windows darkened and a handwritten sign indicating that the AustCham crowd that normally has its events there should instead go to The Rickshaw.

I don’t know Browns’ finances, but this place has a good location, an excellent layout and a nice draft beer selection. The thing it has long needed is better marketing to get back the original “good clean fun” crowds of the early days and draw business during off hours.

It’s a space waiting to happen, so let’s see what happens next…

Previous posts re Browns
Off to a good start: No blues for Browns
Bar of the Year: And the TBJ bar awards winners are…
Warning signal!: On Browns
Browns: Love it…
Browns: … or hate it