FNQ Pubs: Businesses getting refurbs Rattle N Hum, Imperial Tavern, Tolga Pub, Brothers Leagues Club
Far North pub bosses are shaking up the image of our favourite watering holes with millions being spent on revamps to keep the experience fresh.
Cairns
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FAR North pub bosses are shaking up the image of our favourite bars with millions being spent on revamps to keep the experience fresh.
Leading Far North pub and property baron Tom Hedley has recently purchased the Innisfail riverfront Imperial Tavern while he is also set to upgrade the Tolga Pub.
Mr Hedley said it was a great industry to get into with growing demand.
“People want to be able to go out and have some entertainment and the right type of amenities,” he said.
“They are a social place. It’s where you go to meet your friends and have a drink.
“I’ve had pubs all my life and there’s probably no better sort of business. Like when Covid came things locked down but when we opened up things people wanted to get out again.”
Mr Hedley said the only way for a pub to be successful would be to do what he has done with several of his own.
“They are like semi trailers you’ve got to keep renewing them over the years, you’ve got to keep doing refurbs, it’s costly but you have to if you want to maintain your business,” he said.
“It comes at a cost, it’s very expensive doing commercial hotels, you’ve got every trade known to man. It’s an expensive refurb.”
Mr Hedley said the key for a popular pub was to have a mixture of the right “goods.”
“If you’ve got the right mixture with gaming, good dining, good public bar and takeaway facilities,” he said.
“The icing on the cake is if you’ve got rooms, it is a good add to the business. If you’ve got rooms.”
Mr Hedley said the Far North pub scene was thriving and there was more scope for more.
“Like Gordonvale, it’s a good catchment, it’s got all the growth in front of it. Northern beaches are good. All those areas will sort of be good venues,” he said.
Dunwoody’s Hotel is another pub to have undergone a recent renovation with $2.5m put towards it.
The renovation took seven months but was transformed with a new beer garden, revamped bistro and sports bar.
Another venue with multiple rooms, the Brothers Leagues Club in Cairns is also set for a major renovation.
The expansion is set to run until mid 2022.
Brothers Leagues group general manager Shane Fitzgerald said there had been a resurgence of customers coming out.
“Our refurbishments at Brothers Leagues Club have created a variety of modern social spaces for our members and guests to connect and socialise,” he said.
“Our new Sports Bar Q Sports provides viewing on the big screens for the biggest live sporting events, with a social atmosphere that you can’t mirror at home.
“For us the secret to a good venue is to provide this variety of spaces, all under one roof for members and guests.”
Rattle ‘n’ Hum has upgraded from one venue to three over the years with a recent refurb at its Palm Cove business.
Rattle ‘n’ Hum duty manager Matt Hasler said it was to modernise the venue.
“The one in Palm Cove is new and modern and has a more beachy feel,” he said.
“The biggest thing we pride ourselves in is the atmosphere, the vibe from the staff and the vibe the customers bring into the venue.”
Mr Hasler said since restrictions eased he had noticed the pub scene was even busier.
“Since restrictions have eased, Cairns is starting to get back to how it was,” he said.
“Tourists are coming into town. We are getting 20-30 resumes a day, tourism around Cairns is coming back.
“It’s the best thing that has happened in Cairns in years.”
Mr Hasler said he has loved the pub scene so much he’s following the steps of his father who owns all the businesses.
“Over the last year, I just had the feeling and urge to do what my dad does and learn the business and be a part of it,” he said.
“The more I am doing it, the more I enjoy it. I feel like it’s a passion of mine being a part of the venue in the city and what my family has created.”
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Originally published as FNQ Pubs: Businesses getting refurbs Rattle N Hum, Imperial Tavern, Tolga Pub, Brothers Leagues Club
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