A popular pub in Darwin’s northern suburbs is undergoing a major $2 million renovation that will also see its iconic name changed.

Renovation work on Dolly’s Bar began on Sunday, marking the start of improvements at the beloved pub.

Established as Dolly’s in 1998, separate from the Hibiscus Tavern, the pub is renowned for its outstanding food offerings and won the title of the Territory’s Best Steak at the 2023 Hospitality NT Gold Plate Awards.

During the renovations, the pub will temporarily close for several months, however the kitchen remains open for online orders and the bottleshop and Hibiscus Tavern will also remain open.

Owner Paul Palmer initiated the internal demolition by swinging a sledgehammer at the old brick fireplace, a remnant from its days as Dolly O’Reilly’s Irish Pub.

The pub was previously owned by Mr Palmer’s father, who removed the Irish theme around 2010.

Dolly’s will be rebranded as Bill’s Bar and Grill as part of the renovation, in honour of Mr Palmer’s father, who purchased the Hibiscus Tavern back in 1981.

The renovations will include a newly designed kitchen, increased guest capacity, and major renovations to the outdated toilets, that only offered two toilet cubicles for women.

The bottleshop will remain open during the renovations and Dolly’s famous food can still be ordered online.

Jeremy McLean from Asset Constructions and Mark Snowden from Mode Studios have designed the new space, with Mr Snowden named as project manager.

“It will look different, it will be bigger, and the amenities will be much better,” Mr Palmer told the NT News. “The kitchen will function better, and we’ll have a bigger restaurant with a capacity for an extra 60 people and obviously the toilets. So it will all be fit for purpose, look bright and fresh, and it will be great.”