Former leaseholders Larry and Carman Connell decided not to renew their two-year lease of the pub, which they arranged with owner Chris Forrest, who could not be contacted for comment last night.
The lease officially expired yesterday, when Mr Connell served his last patrons out of "special edition" plastic cups while friends helped remove furniture, including a pool table and piano, from the building.
Mr Connell said the past week was one of the pub's busiest.
"Some children of the pub's past owners have contacted us from the North Island and we've had a lot of people drop in for a final drink as they've travelled through the Ida Valley," Mr Connell said.
Three potential buyers had expressed interest in buying and operating the facility.
"I haven't heard from the owner, although I am eternally optimistic about the pub reopening. I would like to see the next people involved become owners," he said.
Items stripped from the pub's interior are being kept secure until a time comes when Mr Connell can sell them - hopefully to new owners.
Mr and Mrs Connell have lived at Poolburn for the past 17 years and believe most Ida Valley punters will travel over the hill to Ophir or Omakau's pubs while the Poolburn Hotel remains empty.
"It's either that or a woolshed somewhere in the valley," Mr Connell said.
Poolburn's pub has served the community as well as visitors for more than 100 years.
Business has been increasing in recent years because of the Otago Central Rail Trail.
