Toongabbie Sports Club to open 12.01am on October 11

A popular western Sydney club is planning to party like it’s 2019 as it reopens to patrons the minute the clock strikes 12.01am on Monday - with more than 50 kegs of beer ready to go.

The anticipation for Covid restrictions easing on Monday October 11, aka Freedom Day, has Toongabbie Sports Club going into overdrive to cater for its loyal patrons excited to let their hair down after 15 weeks of lockdown.

The club, which secured extended trading hours to 3am and underwent a $1.4 million revamp before the pandemic, will reopen at 12.01am and is expecting punters, including shift workers, to turn out en force.

“I think most people are just looking forward to coming and having a beer with their mates, club chief executive officer Andrew Lauridsen said.

“In some cases we’ll be busier than New Year’s Eve. We’re not a particularly busy club on New Year’s but we could have 200 people there. I’m thinking there will be at least 100 people around and maybe more.’’

Toongabbie Sports Club employees Gary Minogue and Mark Curac can’t wait to welcome back customers.

It has a capacity for up to 400 guests under restrictions and has extra beer kegs on hand for a night of frivolity (for the double-vaccinated only, of course).

There are over 50 beer kegs — containing 2500 litres of the alcohol or almost 6000 schooners — lined up for its first week of trading when the venue is expecting healthy cash flow, just as it experienced after last year’s lockdown when business was up 40 per cent.

Scores of beer kegs are ready for parched patrons.

“This is kind of a once in a lifetime, or twice in a lifetime, event,’’ Mr Lauridsen said.

“Last lockdown we didn’t do this … this one we had a lot of time to plan for and we’re keen to get going.

“Over the last few weeks I have been in the building most days, just doing checks and making sure our systems are working, and it’s extremely sad to see a building like that that’s just empty.

“Come Monday and Tuesday, you walk in there and there’s going to be plenty of smiling faces and friendly faces and people enjoying themselves.’’

Club staff can’t wait to see dining areas filled with ‘smiling faces’. Picture: David Curzon

Monday’s midnight celebrations will be limited to the bar but the eateries will open for lunch and dinner.

The club also anticipates the return of hosting bands and allowing the patrons on the dance floor indoors. Indoor singing and dancing remains prohibited but is permitted outside.

The venue is fortunate not to have shed staff but is searching for three full-time and three-part time bar and catering workers.

Toongabbie Sports Club's Mick Zhurawel serves Cristina O’Brien. The club is searching for more workers.

“Anyone who wants a job, now’s a good time to get into hospitality,’’ Mr Lauridsen said.

“It’s good fun, you get to meet plenty of interesting characters, that’s for sure. We’re also a small club so a lot of our guys are quite regular, you get to know them pretty well so you don’t get troubles.’’

Visit toongabbiesportsclub.com.au to apply.

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