The new owners of the Golden Vine hope to evolve the business while maintaining it as one of Bendigo's iconic music venues.
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Theresa Dahan and her partner took over the hotel three weeks ago and have already started making it more welcoming for the wider community.
A new disabled ramp in the bar will improve access for patrons, something Ms Dahan was eager to do because of her background as a disability worker.
"The disabled community want to get out and come to the pub," she said. "i have some beautiful younger clients who want that opportunity, so the first condition I had (when buying the pub) was to have a ramp installed and get disabled toilets.
"My cousin is in the deaf community and will work as a barman. We are going to encourage people of all disabilities - from mental health to the deaf community to come. Even if deaf people can't hear the music, they can feel vibration."
Ms Dahan said she wasn't in the market to buy a pub but decided to after visiting the venue for lunch and feeling welcomed.
"We came and sat in the bar and had dinner with my son for his birthday," she said. "We had a beautiful meal in the beer garden and have been here a lot for the blues festival (over the years).
"In the past I used to bring clients here. It just has a welcoming appeal. So I changed mind and said 'lets go all in' and we took the steps to acquire the pub.
"It's funny how we were thinking of retiring, now we're pub owners."
Theresa said she and her partner were very aware of the venues reputation as a popular live music venue.
"We are still very focused on promoting the bands," she said. "A lot of locals have been asking if we are getting rid of bands - that's the last thing we would get rid of.
"We want locals to come here, sit and listen to some tunes and have a drink, even if it is just a coke.
"It definitely has a great reputation and we absolutely want to enhance that. I have been in Bendigo for 30 years, gone to lots of clubs but this is a great place."
Local music on this week include The Quarry Hillbillies and All Ya Nanna's Kisses. In the new year, visiting acts will include popular touring show Babba, Kevin Borich Express, tribute act Creedence Clearwater Survival and Melbourne band Stars.
As well as music, Ms Dahan said she hopes to see more people visiting for affordable lunches.
"It's taken 21 days to get sorted but kitchen is doing well and we have some great staff," she said. "I was a chef many years ago and my first day here, the chef didn't turn up, I so jumped in the kitchen. I've been a bit of a roustabout. I even changed my first keg the other day.
"You've got to be able to have places that people can go and eat and not spend a fortune. We really want to enhance the business in a good way, we're not going to be taking anything away.
"We just want great atmosphere for families and music with good food and good vibes."
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