The town of Tantanoola is right behind an Adelaide couple who are reopening the doors of the Tiger Hotel at 11.30am on Saturday.

After seven months of closure, new owners Shaun and Rebecca Day and their staff will be providing a warm welcome to visitors and locals alike.

To mark their new venture, the couple are staging a free sausage sizzle from noon while lucky door prizes will be given away throughout the day and well into the night.

Popular vocalist/guitarist Jason “J.B.” Baker will perform from 8pm and whether it be indoors or outdoors is at the mercy of the weather gods.

Day one of trading at the Tiger Hotel will end at midnight.

Without a doubt, one of the pub’s main attractions will be present with the so-called “Tiger” remaining behind glass in the front bar.

“The people of Tantanoola have been terrific and have been asking if the Tantanoola Tiger was still about,” Rebecca said.

It is, in fact, a type of taxidermized European wolf and it has been in the hotel’s proud possession since the mid-point of last century.

In keeping with its family-friendly atmosphere, Rebecca said the Tiger Hotel is dispensing with the poker machines and using that space for functions.

“We have created an outdoor dining area, updated the interior décor and purchased new lounge chairs, coffee machine, refrigerated cabinet and pie warmer,” she said.

“We are looking at having “Coffee and Cake” available as well as breakfasts.

“The goods will be either home-baked or sourced from places like Andy’s Bakery in Millicent.

“Shaun and I have filled all positions in the kitchen and bars.

“Our kitchen will be open every day with the exception of Monday.

“We have had great support from the Tantanoola community and now already have 25 bookings in hand for the Melbourne Cup Luncheon on November 7.

“We will be living on-site and there is also a two-bedroomed cottage on the property which we hope can be utilised in the future as a BnB.”

The regulatory processes to permit the reopening of the Tiger Hotel at Tantanoola have recently been completed.

TTHP Pty Ltd had applied for the licences and the Liquor and Licensing Commissioner then endorsed the application at a hearing in Adelaide on September 28.

Built almost 140 years ago, the stone building is being re-painted and new carpets laid.

The Tiger Hotel suddenly closed its doors in March after the previous managers experienced financial difficulties.

An Adelaide hotel broker was then engaged to sell the business for an undisclosed price.