Popular pre-footy destination OBJ’s Sports Bar goes into administration

Known for its food challenges and proximity to the stadium, a Townsville sports bar has been forced into administration. See what happened.

The full time buzzer has sounded for OBJ’s Sports Bar after it went into administration this week. Pictures: Supplied.

It could be game over for Townsville hospitality establishment OBJ’s Sports Bar after it was announced that the business had gone into administration earlier this week.

Opened at the Central Village cinema complex in December 2021, filling the space left by the former Hog’s Breath restaurant, OBJ’s targeted the sports mad Townsville public, leveraging its proximity to Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) revealed that the company Peter Somers Hospitality Pty Ltd, trading as OBJ’s Sports Bar Townsville, had administrators Shaun Matthews and Daniel Juratowitch from independent business advisory firm Cor Cordis, appointed on April 14.

The ASIC announcement gave notice for the first meeting of the creditors, who could only attend virtually by video conference on April 24, at 2pm.

OBJ's Sports Bar assistant manager Brandon (Banjo) Webster with a stein of beer in 2021. Picture: Evan Morgan

A notice by Cor Cordis’ administrators was published in the Townsville Bulletin on Thursday urgently seeking “proposals from entrepreneurs and investors looking to acquire the company’s business and / or assets”.

They listed that the business was in a prime location, was a thriving business, fully equipped, with diverse offerings.

Key highlights included the licences held by the company including food, gaming, and liquor, along with spacious seating, a well-stocked bar, multiple large TVs, fully-equipped kitchen and established online presence.

The cut off date for expressions of interest was close of business on April 19.

A Cor Cordis spokeswoman said the administrators were continuing to trade the business operations and explore options to recapitalise the business, including by way of a sale of the business.

“We’ve commenced an urgent review of the company’s financial position and are currently seeking urgent expressions of interest to acquire the company’s business and/ or assets,” she said.

“We are presently liaising with several interested parties.”

OBJ's Sports Bar team member Jessica Nolan with a 2 foot long hotdog. Picture: Shae Beplate.

At the time of its opening at 9/10 Little Fletcher St, OBJ’s Sports Bar operations manager Maurice Shanahan said it was the first of its kind, backed by Gold Coast hospitality operators.

“None of us are Townsville locals, we are from the Gold Coast, although we have had previous businesses that have been here in the past,” Mr Shanahan said.

He said one of the ventures they had been involved in was Outback Jack’s.

OBJ’s will be fondly remembered by patrons who enjoyed its sports coverage, arcade machines, classic pub fare, and participated in food challenges like the two-foot hot dog in 2022.

Weighing about 1.3kg, the monster dog contained chilli beef, liquid cheese, two sausages and two eggs on a two-foot baguette, served with a side of chips and salad.

OBJ’s Sports Bar and Cor Cordis were approached for comment.

Originally published as Popular pre-footy destination OBJ’s Sports Bar goes into administration