Bar94 Mackay finds niche market in city’s dining scene

Three times is the charm for the men behind the city’s newest bar and restaurant in one of the most coveted dining precincts, firing up the CBD with unique twists on modern Aussie cuisine.

It’s the new bar on the block and is already making a dent in Mackay’s increasingly diverse dining scene.

And the men behind Bar94 Mackay are eager to keep the tantalising good times rolling.

Corey Holman and Dan Cavacas have brought their long-held collective vision for a relaxed restaurant to fruition, opening the new venue on Wood St late last month.

And the response has been encouraging, with new patrons filing into the former Schnitty in a Box venue to sample Mr Cavacas’ take on Modern Australian fare with a Spanish, South American and European twist.

“Everyone does modern Australian these days so I’ve just done a few inspired things from it,” Mr Cavacas said.

Bar94 Mackay co-owners Dan Cavacas and Corey Holman. The friends have waited years to open their restaurant in the CBD. Picture: Tara Miko

The secret is in the Josper oven, one of just three in Queensland that gives dishes a unique smokey flavour and texture cooked over charcoal.

“A couple of times down south I worked with a Spanish wood-fired oven and I fell in love with it,” Mr Cavacas said.

“That’s what we’re bringing but also the share menu to encourage people to share and dine like that, to try and create that atmosphere like when you go over to a good friend’s house and you have a barbecue.

“There are 20 or 30 people there and everyone just lets their guard down and has a good time.

“We just try to put quality into the service and quality into the dining as well.”

The Bar94 Mackay meals are designed for sharing, blending Spanish and South American flavours in with modern Australian fare. Co-owners Corey Holman and chef Dan Cavacas are living their dream of operating their own restaurant in Mackay. Picture: Tara Miko

Mr Holman said the pair had searched for the right venue for years, eventually signing the lease for 94 Wood St in April – the third attempt to secure the site for their restaurant.

They came close to opening a chicken shop in the Northern Beaches before Mr Cavacas pulled out, biding their time for Bar94 in the CBD.

“We looked at other venues over the years including a couple of places in Airlie Beach and some things have come close but didn’t go through,” Mr Holman said.

“I’ve seen the passion, I’ve seen what Dan has done in his kitchen at home and for him to have all those qualifications and excitement about food, it was just something he was bound to do.”

Bar94 Mackay chef and co-owner Dan Cavacas. The Bar94 Mackay meals are designed for sharing, blending Spanish and South American flavours in with modern Australian fare. Co-owners Corey Holman and chef Dan Cavacas are living their dream of operating their own restaurant in Mackay. Picture: Tara Miko

Mr Holman said it felt like the right time to open a restaurant in Mackay, understanding the CBD was on the cusp of a boom once the waterfront development opened up the city’s potential.

“It’s just a matter of getting more to happen in the town; make it something people want to do,” he said.

“(Wood St) still has its quiet times and weeks and days but I feel we might be a smidge early to the opening but I would rather be a bit early than late.”

The Bar94 Mackay meals are designed for sharing, blending Spanish and South American flavours in with modern Australian fare. Co-owners Corey Holman and chef Dan Cavacas are living their dream of operating their own restaurant in Mackay. Picture: Tara Miko

“There were multiple locations in Mackay, in Airlie Beach, that we assessed and it’s quite funny that at one point this was a venue that seemed like an opportunity but fell through, then fell through again and here we are now, full circle going ahead.

“I think it complements the other places in this area; the CBD and (if we) get that happening and if Mackay wants that waterfront to grow, this is the foundation for it to continue from.”

Mr Cavacas is excited to be back in the kitchen putting his skills back to work after a stint as an operator in the mines, a reversal in the skills drain to the mining industry.

Bar94 Mackay chef and co-owner Dan Cavacas. The Bar94 Mackay meals are designed for sharing, blending Spanish and South American flavours in with modern Australian fare. Co-owners Corey Holman and chef Dan Cavacas are living their dream of operating their own restaurant in Mackay. Picture: Tara Miko

“I grew up in Cannonvale. Back then in the 80s and 90s, it wasn’t really big mining like it is now, it was more farming and ag,” Mr Cavacas said.

“I went and did my apprenticeship on Hayman Island which was awesome for any young chef and is even now – I would encourage any young chef to do that.

“You get to work with chefs from all around the world. And the quality – you’ve got a bigger budget and food costs are a little higher, but the training you get (is great).”

Bar94 Mackay. Picture: Tara Miko

From the Whitsunday islands to Perth then Sydney, on to California in Napa Valley and then back down under to Adelaide for 13 year before Mr Cavacas and his family moved to Mackay.

“When I came home I got involved in mining; it’s good pay,” he said.

“Corey has been pestering me for the last four or five years (about the restaurant) and I kept saying I wasn’t ready.

“This is the third time we tried to get this place because it’s located on Wood St, right next to the Dispensary.

“It opens the batting on Wood St.”

Bar94 Mackay is open Tuesday to Saturday. Check the Facebook page for details.