Image Credit: Charleston Hotel
A cheeky social media post from the Charleston Hotel has turned into one of the Hill’s most iconic moments as of late, after two locals actually rode their horses to the pub and tied them up out front.
It all started when the hotel shared a throwback image of the venue in years gone by, with horses parked outside, joking that soaring fuel prices were no reason to stay home.
“Don’t let the petrol prices stop you getting out this weekend – we’re still really happy for you to tether your horse up out the front!” the pub wrote.
Later that day, two women arrived at the Charleston Hotel with their horses, named Soda and Susan, making good on the invitation and giving their fellow punters a scene straight out of the pub’s past.
“We kind of said, ‘you’re still welcome to bring your horse along in this petrol crisis hike’,” co-owner Lee Knight laughed.
“Two lovely locals decided they would absolutely do that.”
Lee said the pair “came along and just popped in for a drink at our bar, which was lovely and popped the horses out the front there, much to everyone’s delight.”
The unexpected visit struck a chord with the community, especially given the Charleston Hotel has been part of the Hills since the mid 19th century.
“It’s surreal to see these horses out the front again,” Lee said.
“Lots of people commented on the original post that I put up just saying, yes, I remember doing that and back in the day coming along for like a hills horse ride.”
One commenter, Jacqui, said, “You may say in jest, but 35 years ago my sister and I would ride from Harrogate, and tie our horses out the front while we came in for cold coke/lemonade.”
That sense of history is part of what makes the moment so special. The pub turned 170 on December 27 last year, marking 170 years of continuous trade since first publican John Phillips opened the doors in 1855. Originally licensed as the Charles Town Hotel, it became the Charleston Hotel in 1857, and the town would eventually take on the hotel’s name.
“It’s been running consistently since 1855, which is quite an amazing achievement,” Lee said.
“It’s very much a very big part of the Hills and a big part of what people have known in the Hills forever.”
Lee and her husband, main licensee Rex Alexander took over the hotel nearly 18 months ago, stepping into stewardship of one of the township’s oldest and most loved buildings. Since then, they’ve leaned right into the pub’s community spirit, and even made the big move of removing the pokies and converting the old gaming room into a private dining space.
“It just felt like the pokies weren’t the ethos that we were after and were just looking to really promote food and drink rather than gambling.”
For now though, it’s the pub’s famous Tuesday schnitzel deal that’s helping draw people in. Apart from the ample horse parking space, of course. The Charleston Hotel offers $10 off schnitzels all day Tuesday, with three sizes available, regular, large and ‘huge’, plus 13 toppings and eight gravies.
“We’re very much known for our schnitzels,” Lee said, “and we say there’s no such thing as small.” She tells us the huge schnitzel is half a kilo, so we know it’s the truth.
And while rising fuel prices have made some people think twice about a Sunday drive to the Hills, Lee says the hotel is still an easy 40-minute trip from Adelaide, and well worth it.
With open fires roaring in the cooler months, a beer garden overlooking country farmland, and now proven horse parking, the Charleston Hotel is leaning all the way into its Hills charm.
As for whether more horses might follow Soda and Susan’s trot, it seems the answer is: if you can get there, you’re welcome.
Charleston Hotel
Where: 26 Onkaparinga Valley Rd, Charleston SA
When: Seven days, 11:30am til late
For more info, click here.
