Iconic Surfers Paradise Irish bar to be transformed in to new venue following $2m makeover

A $2 million renovation is underway at the former site of a much-loved Surfers Paradise bar. And Irish eyes will be smiling when they find out what’s about to take its place.

Tammy Wood and Cade Hopman at the site of the former Fiddlers Green bar. Photo: Richard Gosling

AN iconic Surfers Paradise Irish bar that suddenly closed in August will reopen as a new venue next month following a $2 million makeover.

The group behind Surfers Paradise nightclubs Shooters and Retros have taken on the lease at the Cavill Ave site that was formerly Fiddlers Green and plan to open — wait for it — a new Irish bar in the space.

Brisbane hospitality group Hallmark will create a Gold Coast version of its Fortitude Valley watering hole Finn McCool’s, promising a traditional venue with a contemporary feel dedicated to live music.

GOLD COAST TACO BELL JUST WEEKS AWAY

The former Fiddlers Green site will reopen as Finn McCool's, an Irish bar from Brisbane hospitality group Hallmark.

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“It will be the traditional Irish pub experience but definitely having that modern twist, which will make it different and unique,” Hallmark marketing manager Tammy Wood said.

“In 2018 you do want to keep that (traditional feel) but also give it that extra spark of life where you can be comfortable.

“We’ll have international touring gigs coming through which will be really exciting for the Gold Coast, and DJs.

“It’s always been a sweet spot there, being on that glitter strip there on Surfers Paradise.

“It’s a big community of Irish on the Gold Coast, so we want to make them feel like it’s a home away from home.”

PLANS FOR NEW SOUTHPORT BAR AND RESTAURANT

A regular leaves a bouquet of flowers in loving memory of the former Fiddlers Green following its shock closure in August.

Ms Wood said the new restaurant and bar would maintain a pub-style setting in the day, but will have a bigger focus on late-night entertainment.

“Open seven days a week, during the day for lunch and dinner, but for then it’ll be for the patrons who want to have a venue where they can enjoy what we say the break craic time, the early hours of the night,” Ms Wood said.

“We’ll still keep it very traditional on Sundays with Irish music — folk music, the fiddles, the flute.”

The menu will feature Irish classics such as Beef and Guinness pie, Irish stew, chicken curry and traditional Irish breakfast of bacon, eggs, mushroom, pork sausage, black pudding, beans and Barry’s tea.

The main bar will feature taps of Guinness and Kilkenny, alongside a range of beers, ciders, wines, spirits, and cocktails.

FIRST LOOK AT COAST’S GIANT NEW RESTAURANT AND BAR

Tammy Wood and Cade Hopman from Hallmark will reopen Fiddlers Green as Finn McCool’s following a $2 million renovation. Photo by Richard Gosling

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The refurbishment will not completely gut the property, Ms Wood assures, with little elements of the former Fiddlers Green still there for the Irish character.

“We’ll be keeping a few little signature traits in there,” she said.

“There will be Irish quotes that we have for the quirkiness, stained glass, and knick knacks, to make it even more Irish.

“It will have all new comfortable booths for the dining, high bar table, a stage for live entertainment, incorporating the mezzanine level as well.

“It will definitely have that warmth of an Irish pub you get as soon as you walk in.

“There will be loads of the TV screens for live sporting matches.

“It’ll be the same Finn McCool’s here in Brisbane. It’s going to have similarities, it will have that fresh face look.”