Swan makes return above new Bath St tap room and eatery

A large swan has made an unlikely comeback, from a Balclutha pond to the top of Dunedin’s newest bar and cafe.

The Swan tap room and eatery in Bath St will have a soft opening tonight before a full opening on Monday.

Previously known as the Insomnia Cafe, it was picked up by new owners Patrick and Sarah Hussey just before Christmas.

They decided to name it The Swan based on the Swan family who built a lot of the buildings on the street and started the engraving business, John Swan and Co Ltd, now located next door.

‘‘We’ve been digging up a lot of history about the Swan family and ... I didn’t know that Bath St literally used to be the baths,’’ Sarah Hussey said.

‘‘The Swan family actually built all of these buildings.’’

An old swan sign used to sit on top of the building where the bar and eatery is opening — once a part of the engraving business.

Mrs Hussey said a previous owner of the Bath St premises said they should try to find it and bring it back.

They did not have to do much searching for it.

‘‘Janette, who owns John Swan [and Co Ltd], said to me ‘if you want the swan that used to be on the building, it’s down at my parents’ farm in Balclutha, down by the duck pond’,’’ Mrs Hussey said.

‘‘Patrick drove down to Balclutha with the kids ... picked it up, gave it a shine and chucked it back on top again.’’

The Swan would offer a little bit of everything for customers, Mr Hussey said.

‘‘Cafe is our experience. New coffee machine just lit up ... we’re going to be open early mornings for coffee and a little bit of basic cafe food.

‘‘Then we’ve got a nice brunch, lunch dinner menu.’’

It would also have beer on tap, with a small space for live music and a private room people could book in the back.

The pair are setting up the eatery before handing it over to managers.

The Husseys also own two centre city cafes — The Perc Central and The Perc Exchange.

They also used to own the St Clair hot pool cafe.

jacob.mcsweeny@odt.co.nz