Darwin pubs: Lizards revival plan on the drawing board as Darwin heads back to the future

New plans have emerged that would see one of Darwin’s most famous outdoor bars brought back to life, almost a decade after last beers were pulled. SEE THE PICTURES.

Renders for the upgraded Lizards in Darwin.

New plans have emerged that would see one of Darwin’s most famous outdoor bars brought back to life, almost a decade after last beers were pulled.

JH Group Pty Ltd, formerly Halikos Investments, wants to re-create the old outdoor Lizards Bar at its old home on the corner of Mitchell and Daly streets in Darwin.

Almost a decade since it was replaced by H105 on Mitchell and the enclosed Lizards Bar and Restaurant, site owner John Halikos wants to return the venue to its former al fresco glory.

According to the development application prepared by Tatam Planning Co, the Old Lizards Outdoor Bar and Grill was replaced in about 2016 by the enclosed version, although the bar, back of house area, alfresco dining area and beer garden were retained.

John Hallikos at the official opening of the H105 Mitchell Hotel & Apartments.

The new development includes a 200 sqm internal area, 475 sqm outdoor area, a 130 sqm playground, refurbishment and reconfiguration of the internal area, including large bi-fold doors to both sides of the existing building, the addition of a feature roof over a private function area, new fencing and landscaping.

Located within Zone CB (central business), historic approvals at the site lapsed after a non-usage period of greater than 12 months.

Development approvals are required for an overlay at the subject site and approval of ancillary factors like carparking and loading bays.

The application said the proposed development would increase the existing active frontage with Daly St, which will be secured by a visually permeable timber feature fence with blockwork blades.

A render of the new designs for Lizards in Darwin.

“This will allow visual interaction with the street,” the application said. “The activation of this street frontage is considered to be 100 per cent of the subject portion of the site along the Daly Street frontage.”

Tatam in its application said the plans met the provisions of the Northern Territory Planning Act on a number of fronts including minimal detrimental impacts such as noise, dust, light or emissions.

Tatam said the application met the provisions of the Northern Territory Planning Act on a number of fronts.

“The development is not detrimental to the public interest and is instead seen to meet an existing demand for dining within the CBD,” the application said.

“The proposed use of food premises-restaurant is not expected to result in unreasonable impact on amenity of the CBD by way of operating hours, capacity, or operations.”

If approved, Lizards2.0 would be the latest in a string of revival renovations celebrating the Top End’s hospo past.

Charlie’s famous eatery was reborn recently as a CBD cocktail bar while the famous Sweethearts nightclub was recently revived at Darwin Hospitality Group’s Cinema Collective on Mitchell Street.

Originally published as Darwin pubs: Lizards revival plan on the drawing board as Darwin heads back to the future