YOUR GUIDE: Hottest social hangouts in Biloela
New hotel one of a handful of great places to go in town
Business
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IT'S been a long day at the worksite and the boss has been riding you all day.
You're so stressed you've forgotten about dinner.
What do you do? Where do you go?
Well, we hope to make that choice a little easier for you by providing a detailed list of some of Biloela's hottest places to grab dinner, a drink and kick back with friends.
Commercial Hotel/Top Pub
Opening Hours: 10am-2am Friday and Saturday, 10am-12am Thursday, and 10am-10pm Monday-Wednesday and Sunday
WITH years of experience behind them and a catchy street name, Peter and Michelle Law's 'Top Pub' Commercial Hotel has all the bells and whistles to provide a fun atmosphere for patrons.
Under the lease of the Laws for seven years, the construction and renovation of the Steak at Tops restaurant and Pizza at Tops menu and other projects have created a more appealing venue in the eyes of Mr Law.
Upgrade work has included "renovating of the poker machine room and the renovation of the pizzeria and restaurant," Mr Law said.
"As well as touch-ups in the bars which, since these renovations, we've received comments how good the pub looks now," he said.
"Our restaurant has an extensive menu with good steaks and we have our lunch-time specials starting at $12, and at dinner we have different themed meals for the night up until Thursday night."
The pizza menu is extensive, with 13 varieties available plus a children's menu with gluten-free options.
The Steak at Tops restaurant prioritises steaks, offering 10 steak options from the grill plus a selection of standard mains and seafood choices.
Quality customer service is something Mr Law thinks helps his establishment stand out from the crowd.
"Personalised service and making sure everyone is comfortable and happy in the pub (is important)," Mr Law said.
"Acknowledge people - that's the big thing for us.
"You've got working men and women around town here that need a good meal and there's nothing better than good steak and vegies after work."
Accommodation-wise, there are 22 standard pub rooms with "comfortable beds" according to Mr Law, and shared bathroom facilities.
Mr Law has worked in bars since he was 20 and operated them since the age of 31 and he wants to create, "a friendly atmosphere where everybody enjoys themselves at a comfortable price".
Contact the Commercial Hotel on 4992 1603.
Biloela Hotel/Bottom Pub
Opening Hours: 10am-2am Monday-Saturday, 10am-midnight Sunday
REVAMPED and modernised under the ownership of Jamie Matheson in partnership with his wife Liz and the experienced McNelly brothers, Steve and Justin, the Biloela Hotel has been popular from day dot.
The hotel has been turned inside out, and once fully completed will feature a picturesque beer garden, function room with private bar, restaurant service, six motel rooms and 18 hotel rooms - plus what Mr Matheson claims is the biggest TV screen in Biloela.
But it's the gourmet food and mouth-watering beverages which Mr Matheson believes will make the establishment really stand out from the crowd.
"Our menu will be offering modern Australian cuisine with some standout signature dishes," Mr Matheson said.
"We've still got pub classics involved but we're using some modern elements to freshen up dishes with presentation which is the main thing for us.
"Good coffee and cocktails will be a focus at the venue."
Accommodation is up and running, while the drive-through bottle shop is estimated to be in full operation in a few weeks, and further extensions to the hotel are scheduled for next year.
"We think we offer a point of difference with the atmosphere, the style, service and the food we are going to bring is just a little different to what's been offered here for a period of time," Mr Matheson said.
"We've got to make things more modern, fresh and a little more engaging and entertaining.
"We think we have a venue that can cater for everyone and that's what we think a good pub should be."
Contact the Biloela Hotel team by calling 4992 1291.
Oasis Bar and Cafe
Opening Hours: 7am-4pm Monday, 7am-10pm Tuesday-Thursday, Friday-Saturday 7am-12am, 7am-2pm Sunday
THE year has flown by for the Oasis Bar and Cafe's operator Mark Di Ruggiero.
Mr Di Ruggiero officially opened the cafe's doors to Biloela on October 19 in 2018 and he's ready to kick things into a higher gear.
"There's heaps more that I want to do," Mr Di Ruggiero said.
"I wanted to bring something a little different to Biloela with this alfresco dining and live entertainment, which is something I'm hoping to ramp up on the Friday and Saturday nights."
Oasis is a fully licensed venue that offers breakfast, lunch and dinner menus.
Mr Di Ruggiero and his team have just updated their menu across all three meals and they aren't stopping there.
"We've just added another couple of options to our menu," Mr Di Ruggiero said.
"The menu will be coming up for a total revamp soon after we've given our original menu that 12-16 months.
"We'll then reinvigorate and keep what we know is popular."
Mr Di Ruggiero also stressed that he could accommodate for any type of party, and had the ability to cater for 60 people at such events.
Word of mouth is always important for business but Mr Di Ruggiero is also pleased with the number of positive reviews received via Google and Facebook.
On the Oasis Bar & Cafe Facebook page, the cafe is rated at a 4.9 out of 5, based off 65 reviews.
"I always pride myself on service and a good coffee," Mr Di Ruggiero said.
Get in touch with Mark and the team by calling 4808 6030.
Biloela Bowls Club
Opening Hours: 10am-12am, Wednesday-Sunday
SOCIAL bowls has been entertaining patrons around the country for many years, and the Biloela Bowls Club has been a staple of the community for about as long.
Made up of hard working volunteers, the 'Bowlo' is a huge venue, offering a big space to dine in and pick up takeaway. There's also a huge bar area that has a pool table, a stage for live acts and the floor space to make a good dancefloor.
Terry Daly, chairman of the Biloela Bowls Club Management Committee said the venue was ideal for functions and parties.
"We have lots of funeral wakes, birthday parties and Christmas parties," Mr Daly said.
"All those things are good for the club.
"They've got so much space and freedom in here to move around in the club."
Mr Daly admitted that a few years ago the place used to be packed and "if you weren't here at five o'clock you'd have to stand up the whole night".
Hazel Reid, secretary of the Biloela Bowls Club Management Committee had plenty to say about the quality of Flaming Cuisine, which has hired their kitchen for the past nine months.
"They are open Tuesday to Sunday selling a variety of takeaway meals including many curry dishes and many different pizzas," Mrs Reid said.
"The pizzas are a little dearer than other places, but ever so much nicer.
"Patrons prefer to pay more for much better quality.
"The Flaming Cuisine also serve meals in the dining room Tuesday-Sunday.
They cater for functions, sporting clubs, retirement functions and more."
For more information, call the club on 4992 1689.
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