What’s the Buzz: Caxton Hotel doing magic numbers as crowds flock to the footy

Watch the video as Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield dives deep into the Caxton Hotel scrum to experience the Magic Round vibe for himself.

Wouldn’t you love to have shares in Brisbane’s iconic Caxton Hotel over Magic Round weekend.

Ross Farquhar has owned the pub for 28 years, giving him a licence to print money whenever there is a major footy event at Suncorp Stadium – just a two-minute walk away.

Over three days, Farquhar says he will sell 500 kegs of draft beer – the equivalent of 59,000 schooners, or at $9.50 a glass, that’s $560,500 over the bar.

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Crowds at Caxton Hotel for NRL Magic Round, Caxton St, Spring Hill – Buzz Rothfield (middle), Ross Farquhar (right, owner of the Caxton Hotel) Brisbane – on Friday 2nd May 2025 – Photo Steve Pohlner

That’s before sales of bottled beers, cans, spirits, wines and pub meals to tens of thousands of thirsty footy fans who are in town for the footy.

The pub can hold 1000 patrons in the main hotel area and another 400 in the car park where the eight games are shown live on a giant TV screen.

With fans coming and going, the Caxton will cater for up to 3000 customers each day.

To look after the punters, there are 150 bar staff and 20 security guards rostered on.

Crowds at Caxton Hotel. Picture: Steve Pohlner

(L-R) Tyson Murray, Kiarn Moeke, Zac Hayward Jess Clarke (front), Jacob Andrews, Carmine Barone, in the carpark bar at Caxton Hotel. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“Not that we’ve had any problems, touch wood,” Farquhar said.

“It’s all these people in their club jerseys just wanting to have a good time and enjoy the vibe.

“This is the sixth Magic Round and it’s really evolved into a phenomenal event where you can really feel the festival buzz.

“People ask how much money we’re making, but I can assure you the costs are high.

“It’s different to State of Origin where you get the solid bang on the afternoon and night of the game. For Magic Round, people come and go all weekend.”

Stirling Farquhar, Venue Manager in the Cauldron Bar Keg Room, at Caxton Hotel for NRL Magic Round, Caxton St, Spring Hill Brisbane – on Friday 2nd May 2025 – Photo Steve Pohlner

It’s not just the Caxton Hotel that is doing a roaring trade here in Brisbane.

There are more than 50,000 visitors from outside of Brisbane who are here injecting nearly $50 million in tourism dollars.

Hotel rooms are booked out across the river city, restaurants and bars are overflowing and taxis and Uber drivers are just raking it in.