Anelay Rooftop Bar and Restaurant buyer discusses ambitious plans for venue

The new owners of Anelay Rooftop Bar and Restaurant, also run another famous venue on The Strand. Read about their vision for the picturesque location.

Anelay director Bart Furst also runs The Watermark Townsville. Picture: Leighton Smith.

Renovations are in full swing, a new menu is being finalised, and excitement levels are sky-high for the Kickon Group, who have revealed their vision for the Anelay Rooftop Bar and Restaurant after their purchase settled on Friday.

Also the owner of another Strand venue, The Watermark Townsville, Kickon Group has been a prominent player in Australia’s hospitality industry, with 10 venues in a portfolio stretching from Victoria to Queensland.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Anelay and Watermark director Bart Furst provided an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the venue, where a transformation process was underway before reopening in early July.

Unable to reveal the venue’s new name for a few more weeks, Mr Furst said it would have “a good feel around the beach ... it’s a good strong community name that’ll fit in”.

“I’m getting stopped in the street, everyone’s excited for it (and) really interested to see what happens. We’re changing the venue to suit what we feel is going to be a strong offer after a lot of consultation with everyone,” Mr Furst said.

Anelay director Bart Furst loves the unimpeded water views at his new establishment. Picture: Leighton Smith.

“We want to give the community a venue that they can proudly say it’s theirs. One of our main thoughts when building the venue was based ‘loved by locals, sought after by tourists’,”

“The tourism trade on the Strand is massive, but also the locals, we want to give them a venue that’s home ... (to) enjoy a good product, good service, feel good, and catch up with good friends, that’s all we want.”

He pointed to the ground level’s kitchen island, which was being removed to create a 84-seat dining space, backed by pastel colour scheme refit, reorientated L-shaped bar, and widened entrance area, while the popular coffee and gelato storefronts would also continue.

With its spectacular “something out of Miami” view of the Strand, Mr Furst said the upstairs level would have a bar, function space, live music, TV screens for “key sports”, and seating to accommodate up to 150 people.

Holly Newman enjoys the view from the first level of Anelay on the Strand, prior to renovations. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Rather than cooking different menus from four separate kitchens, he said their food preparation areas would join forces to deliver a “mixed bag” menu on both levels - details of which to be revealed later.

About 40-60 staff would be employed at the Anelay, bolstered by 80 staff from the Watermark, with plans for staff to be trained, upskilled, and work across both venues.

Anelay director Bart Furst has been busy transforming the venue. Picture: Leighton Smith.

“We’re looking forward to bringing what everyone loves from the Watermark over here as well, but at the same point being very strict on the fact that this is a completely different venue and will have a different vibe,” he said.

Kickon Group is looking to secure additional North Queensland venues in the future.

Originally published as Anelay Rooftop Bar and Restaurant buyer discusses ambitious plans for venue