Orange City Council approved the fitout for Washington & Co at the former Bonnie & Clyde premises, which will be an American-style establishment, specialising in bourbon and other spirits from the US, Scotland and Taiwan.

Behind the idea is 24-year-old Scott Mileto, who grew up in Orange, but spent the past three years working in bars across Wollongong, Newcastle and Sydney.

“I always had the intention of returning home and thought I could offer something a bit different,” he said.

He believes Orange’s pub scene is changing.

“People want to come out early and they like the small, intimate settings. Union Bank’s doing great things, there’s Percy’s, the Canobolas has put in Chesterfields, and Nimrod’s will follow pretty soon,” he said.

“That’s  not a stab at the bigger bars, I go to them as well - Orange is always going to have a pub scene, which we need because they are the backbone of the hospitality industry.” 

He said final approval for his liquor licence was still with the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing staff but hoped he could open by August.

Plans include table and bench seating and a kitchen to prepare cold tasting plates, while trading hours will be until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights and 11pm on other nights.

Canobolas Local Area Command police reviewed the proposal and while they were concerned it could add to alcohol-related crime,  did not oppose the plan, provided the premises was monitored with CCTV and a management plan was created for patrons arriving at and leaving the bar.

danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au