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
Chalmers the stock picker makes a bad call
The Future Fund has thrived by having the independence to make its own financial calls. The Treasurer wants to trash this with his own risky bets.
The long, hard slog of changing workplace culture at Rio
Overhauling a culture of sexual harassment and bullying is not a linear exercise and the Rio Tinto boss is finding out the tough way, as its two-year progress report is released to staff.
Units vs houses: What’s being approved in the Garden City
While latest statistics show “business as usual” for Darling Downs building approvals, only a few approvals for one type of housing could spell complications in the future. Have your say:
RME announces sale to private-public partnership
In a deal that is billed as protecting Australian jobs, the Federal Government will partner with a private investment firm to buy this iconic Australian manufacturer.
How Trump’s tariffs will change the path of interest rates
Much of the global tariff fight is set to take place between China and the US, but it has major implications for Australia.
Job losses revealed as uni grapples with back-to-back deficits
After back-to-back deficits, a regional Queensland university has started laying off workers. Dozens of support staff have already been let go, and academics and teachers could be next in the firing line.