Bone Idol Brewery: Toowoomba CBD ‘dive bar’ opens in old Bar Wunder site, offering live music, shuffleboards, beer garden
After months of fit-outs and refurbishments, the Toowoomba CBD’s newest bar is open and is quickly being booked up for work Christmas parties.
Business
Don't miss out on the headlines from Business. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Alister Ferguson’s latest project has been a “labour of love” by his own admission — but the hard work has been worth it to see people of all ages walking through the door.
“The crux of what we’re about is getting back to what pubs used to be,” the co-owner of Bone Idol Brewery said.
“The demographics we’re getting in here, we’re seeing old and young people and families – it’s a real mixed bag.”
Mr Ferguson and his team from The Plate have put the finishing touches on the new CBD “dive bar”, created in place of the old Bar Wunder.
The Ruthven St venue, which is preparing for its second weekend opening, is a multistorey site featuring live music, American-inspired share platters, a fully-tapped beer garden and seven sports screens.
“The best thing is you’ve got all these different spots, if you don’t like live music you can go upstairs to play (bar games), or head out the back to the beer garden,” Mr Ferguson said.
“It gives you a flexibility and options.”
Along with classic games like darts and pool, Bone Idol’s point of difference is the inclusion of four 18ft shuffleboards from Texas, essentially introducing the sport to Toowoomba.
Mr Ferguson said he and brewer Tim Anderssen drew inspiration from the pubs and bars they grew up in when creating the venue.
“It’s about getting pubs back to being great places to come together – hopefully we build a clientele that feels like it’s their pub,” he said.
“The pubs we grew up in were what we wanted to create.
“You come in, support live music, play some darts or shuffleboard or pool, enjoy a beer and some great food.”
After enjoying a strong first week of trade, Mr Ferguson said businesses were already booking Bone Idol for Christmas parties.
“Everyone is loving the food and we’ve got a lot of Christmas functions booked in,” he said.
“The menu lends itself to (parties) – we just have red baskets, no cutlery.
“It’s made for sharing, and the good thing is it all comes from our butcher’s shop (The Paddock).”
Bone Idol Brewery is open Thursday to Monday from noon until late, with live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
More Coverage
This week’s share tips: looking beyond the big names
Share portfolios shouldn’t simply focus on big banks and resources giants. Our experts examine some smaller stocks.
Holding all the cards: Inside the battle to save Star
There are three options being mulled by the casino’s board. All of them are equally brutal.
Inside the new Darling Downs rustic luxury glampsite
With a pool boasting some of the most spectacular views in the region, this glamping site may just be one of the region’s best.
Sculpture of journey of time and nature heads to Singapore
A sculpture which tells the story of time and space in nature created by a collaboration of artists, engineers and First Nation leaders has been unveiled in Toowoomba before it finds a permanent home in Singapore.
AirTrunk is classic Blackstone: Go big, go for scale
Three years ago Wall Street giant Blackstone had next to no funds in data centres but today it has more than $186bn. Here’s why.
Revealed: Where you can buy Australia’s best bacon
A humble butchery tucked away on a suburban street is producing Australia’s best bacon, according to a panel of expert meat eaters. Here is where you can find it.