Dunwoody’s celebrate their reopening after its $2.5m renovation

A landmark Cairns pub has reopened and a giant party, including free burgers, has been planned to show off its $2.5m facelift. SEE THE MAKEOVER

THE doors to a $2.5m revamp at Dunwoody’s have been flung open and a big party has been planned to celebrate.

Dunwoody’s is open to patrons again after a major renovation which took about seven months.

Ironically as a new era dawned for this Sheridan St mainstay, another closed with the Captain Cook statue across the road coming down the same day.

The family bistro has a special Welcome Weekend scheduled to be held from June 3-5 with live music, a sports party on Friday and kids eat free on Sunday.

Dunwoody’s Mark Sorenson tests the new beer taps. Picture: Brian Cassey

“We have 200 free burgers we’re giving away on the weekend,” Dunwoody’s area manager Mark Sorensen said.

With its reopening, Mr Sorensen said their “local’s pub” was expected to see travellers trickle in as tourism kicked off.

“It’s for tourists that want a pub that feels local,” he said.

“It has the full spectrum of hospitality.”

Mr Sorensen said the pub had a lot of history in Cairns and their renovation was another chapter of that history.

“We’ve reinvigorated it,” he said.

FNQ’s much-loved pub was fitted for a $2.5 million makeover in November and has undergone a transformation with its new beer garden, revamped bistro, sports bar, and gaming room.

Dunwoody's has reopened its doors after a major rebuild. Picture: Brian Cassey

Operated by Australia Venue Co, its Brownfield operation manager Mark Westaway said this was the first capital investment of its kind into the venue in its 30 years of trading.

“We tried to make North Queensland’s traditional pub feel elevated,” he said.

“I don’t think Cairns has seen a reno like this before.”

The pub has all the classics with a modern feel with a non-intrusive gaming room welcoming both men and women to its two metre by two-metre screen.

Dunwoody's has thrown its doors open with Dunwoody's area manager Mark Sorensen, left, and Brownfield operation manager Mark Westaway test the new beer taps. Picture: Brian Cassey

Its 40-day aged barramundi and wagyu is hung up to dry and display in their new in-house dry ager.

But the true star attraction is its open and airy beer garden.

“The weather here is great but places in Queensland are mostly indoors and then you see a place like Melbourne where it’s two degrees and everything is outside,” Mr Westaway said.

The revamped outdoor dining and bar area. Picture: Brian Cassey

The team is expecting hundreds to attend the beer-and-cheers celebration.

“Welcome back to Dunwoody’s,” both Marks said.

Originally published as Dunwoody’s celebrate their reopening after its $2.5m renovation