Andy Lee has revealed a tribute to Aussie superstar Hugh Jackman in his recently opened New York pub went horribly wrong.
The comedian, 43, opened his Australian-themed pub, Old Mates, in Manhattan, back in February.
With Andy at the helm of the venture, it is backed by an owner’s group that includes the likes of Hamish Blake, tennis star Ash Barty, surfing legend Mick Fanning, Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins and Hollywood A-lister Hugh, to name a few.
Speaking to Nine Entertainment, the funnyman revealed that he wanted to place secret nods to the backers on the walls of the pub.
‘I asked them what’s their favourite pub in Australia, their favourite drink?’ Andy said.
‘There’s little nods to all of them. Everyone’s favourite pub in Australia is framed and hanging on the wall.’
Andy Lee (pictured) has revealed a tribute to Aussie superstar Hugh Jackman in his recently opened New York pub went horribly wrong
However, Hugh’s tribute did not last the first full day of trading, falling victim to a workplace accident.
‘Unfortunately we smashed Jackman’s on day one accidentally,’ Andy admitted.
‘It was hanging above the register and one of the employees walked around the corner and knocked it off and smashed the glass!’
The Hundred host did reveal however that Hugh’s favourite place to grab a beer Down Under is the iconic Sydney watering hole The Oaks Hotel in Neutral Bay.
Andy first announced his plans to open a New York pub back in December last year.
Taking to Instagram, he posted a slew of pictures with restaurateur Eddy Buckingham and Aussie café connoisseurs Nicholas Stone and Andrew Stone.
‘Super EXCITED for this!!’ he wrote.
‘After the last Aussie bar in Manhattan closed down during COVID, a few pals and I thought it was important to build a new venue.
With Andy at the helm of the venture, it is backed by an owner’s group that includes the likes of Hamish Blake, tennis star Ash Barty, surfing legend Mick Fanning, Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins and Hollywood A-lister Hugh Jackman (pictured)
‘Aussies in NYC need a place to have a crisp cold Australian beer, to watch the AFL & NRL finals, to cheer on the Matildas and watch The Ashes.
‘Old Mates is it. 170 John St, Seaport NYC.’
On a comedic note, he added: ‘It’s taken me three years to personally build this pub with my bare hands like Noah from The Notebook.
‘If you don’t believe me, see the last picture where I’m clearly holding a drill.’
The comedian certainly has a lot on his plate at the moment, recently taking a very hands-on approach to his mammoth Melbourne renovation project.
Andy and fiancée Rebecca Harding are currently restoring a 150-year-old derelict mansion by the Yarra River in Hawthorn.
As the protracted build continues, he took to Instagram last month to show a clip of him operating a large crane.
Perched atop the crane, high above the treetops, workers on the build stood precariously in a large metal cage as they left their fate to Andy’s skill with heavy machinery.
Speaking to Nine Entertainment, Andy revealed that a secret nod to Hugh, a photo of his favourite Aussie pub hanging on the wall, did not last the first day of trade
It was a fact not lost on Andy either who said, ‘This is incredible,’ laughing, as he sat in the machine’s cabin.
‘Gosh, I’ve got five people in my hands up there. It’s a powerful thing,’ Andy added as he cast his eyes skyward.
Thankfully, Andy’s worksite tomfoolery appeared to occur without major incident.
Andy and Rebecca have grand plans for their Italianate manor, called Ravenswood, with the planned renovation worth an estimated $5million having begun in 2023.
Plans for the site include adding a second building which will be connected by a tunnel to the original Italianate mansion, which was built around 1876.
Other highlights planned for the 1950square metre holding include a home theatre, a gym, a swimming pool and a ‘mega bedroom’.
