The Oxford Hotel: A Bathurst Landmark Reimagined

The Oxford Hotel now stands as a symbol of Bathurst’s past, present and future: a historic local landmark, thoughtfully reimagined into a modern regional hospitality precinct that locals can be proud of and visitors remember.The Oxford Hotel, known proudly by locals as The Ox, has long held a place in Bathurst’s story. Standing on William Street in the heart of the city, the hotel has been part of local life for generations, serving as a meeting place for families, workers, travellers, sporting crowds and the wider Bathurst community.

Today, The Oxford is more than a historic pub. Under the ownership and direction of Lion Majestic Hospitality Group, it has been transformed into one of regional New South Wales’ most impressive hospitality destinations. The recent redevelopment has taken a landmark Bathurst venue and reimagined it as a multi-level food, drink, sport and entertainment precinct built for the future of regional hospitality.

The project was not simply a renovation. It was a major reinvention of the entire venue, carefully balancing the character of a heritage-listed William Street hotel with bold new spaces designed for modern guests. The redevelopment introduced new dining areas, upgraded bars, rooftop terraces, family-friendly facilities, event spaces and a state-of-the-art sports entertainment offering, while preserving the community role that has always made The Ox such an important part of Bathurst.

At ground level, Brock’s brings a large-scale, Italian-inspired dining experience to the venue, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner in a setting that feels both premium and welcoming. Upstairs, B Town BBQ continues to deliver its signature Texas barbecue and southern-style dining, giving The Oxford two strong food destinations under the one roof.

The venue’s transformation also includes rooftop terraces and outdoor areas that take full advantage of The Oxford’s prominent corner location. These spaces give the hotel a fresh visual presence on William Street and create the kind of all-day, indoor-outdoor experience that modern regional venues need to compete not just as pubs, but as destinations.

One of the standout additions is the Sports Colosseum, a purpose-built sports and entertainment space designed to turn live sport into an event. With a massive screen, immersive sound and a stadium-style atmosphere, it has become a major drawcard for UFC, NRL, AFL, boxing, racing, NBA and other big-screen sporting moments. The space also supports live entertainment, karaoke and DJ-led events, giving it the flexibility to shift from sports bar to nightlife venue.

This new chapter has already been recognised at the highest levels of the hotel industry. The Oxford Bathurst was named 2025 Regional Hotel of the Year at the AHA NSW Awards for Excellence, while Stefano Burlando was recognised as Regional Chef of the Year. Nationally, The Oxford also took out Best Redeveloped Hotel, General Division, confirming the scale and quality of the transformation.

Despite the upgrades, the heart of The Oxford remains the same. It is still a place where Bathurst comes together. It is a venue for dinners, birthdays, weddings, fundraisers, sporting events, live entertainment, casual drinks and everyday catch-ups. What Lion Majestic Hospitality Group has done is protect that role while giving the hotel the scale, polish and versatility to serve a new generation.

The Oxford Hotel now stands as a symbol of Bathurst’s past, present and future: a historic local landmark, thoughtfully reimagined into a modern regional hospitality precinct that locals can be proud of and visitors remember.