Famous restaurant sold as owners dine out on new venue

After making their massive shift from one nightlife hub to another, Aaron and Kym-Sarah Ruttan are starting to grow more optimistic.

Aaron and Kym-Sarah Ruttan of Kiki Bar in Maroochydore. Picture: Patrick Woods

A YEAR after making their massive shift from one nightlife hub to another, Aaron and Kym-Sarah Ruttan are starting to grow more optimistic.

The former owners of Spice Bar Mooloolaba recently sold the renowned restaurant after a decade in charge, shifting focus to their freehold venue on Duporth Ave, Maroochydore, Kiki Bar and Eatery.

They took charge of former cult favourite Lefty's, which had been run by larger-than-life midwest Canadian Brian "Lefty" Church and his family for more than 20 years.

Spice Bar Mooloolaba are back in Good Food Guide Australia's top restaurants. Head chef Jason Robinson, owners Kym-Sarah Ruttan and executive chef Aaron Ruttan, and restaurant manager Ross Charnock. Picture: Patrick Woods

Kiki Bar and Eatery was born, a stunning venue with full table service, which is becoming rarer in the region.

Mr Ruttan said they'd worked hard to create a "neighbourhood-style" bar which was more casual, but still offered quality.

A YEAR ON: Kiki Bar and Eatery in Maroochydore is a year old. Picture: Contributed-Facebook

He said they'd tried to cover all bases, from casual drinks and snacks to fully-fledged dining, but they'd had to work harder on promotion at this venue than their previous spot at the start of Mooloolaba Esplanade.

"It's taken a little bit more time than anticipated," he said.

"We're more regular-orientated.

"It's quite interesting being a stand-alone venue."

Aaron and Kym-Sarah Ruttan are about to transform this Maroochydore property into the Kiki Bar. Picture: John McCutcheon

He said they were drawing a crowd from mid-late 20s on, looking to avoid the nightclub scene of Ocean St and enjoy a dining-focused experience.

He said it'd been a 10-year mission to get where they were.

"It does (feel sustainable)," he said.

A YEAR ON: Kiki Bar and Eatery in Maroochydore is a year old. Picture: Contributed-Facebook

To mark their first year at Kiki, the pair were putting on a series of local specials for the first week of July, with daily food and drink specials using Australian spirits, local tap beers and Walker Seafoods sustainably-caught fish tacos.