thumb|Walkabout sign

thumb|Walkabout Sheffield

thumb|Walkabout's vast Australian drink range

thumb|Walkabout's kangaroo burger

Walkabout is an Australian themed pub and restaurant chain in the United Kingdom, owned by Stonegate Pubs since December 2016.

History

The first Walkabout bar was opened in 1994. In December 2016, it was reported that the brand had 30 outlets, down from a peak of about 50.

In the 2010s, Walkabout came under pressure by boroughs keen to clean up and gentrify their high streets. Its Covent Garden branch, which was the first to open in the mid '90s, was closed in March 2013 with the company saying the site was too small. (in the former Walkabout site); other new venues popped up in Solihull and Lichfield (following the purchase of two former Apres sites). 2015 finished with the opening of a new Walkabout in Manchester's Printworks just before Christmas.

2016 began with the refurbishment of the Walkabout Birmingham on Broad St. Throughout the year, many other existing venues were refurbished, now functioning as new concept Walkabouts. They also have continued to acquire a variety of new sites across the UK and close others.

The most recent opening was in Chelmsford, where the site transitioned from a Wetherspoons to a new Walkabout bar in under three weeks. In contrast, Walkabout's Liverpool venue closed on New Year's Day 2018 after 20 years.

Walkabout has also evolved through innovation, from collaborations with Pieminister and Kilner, to developments in their food offering and stadium seating being added to the Reading venue for watching sports.

See also

  • Australian pub
  • List of pubs in Australia

References

  • thumb|Mega Kilner jars are sold in Walkabout