The Spotted Dog was one of Bundaberg’s favourite places before being destroyed by flames, now it’s back

Pato remembers the night he heard the news his beautiful pub was burning down and the shock made him slump to the ground. But now, like a phoenix from the ashes, the Spotted Dog is going strong once again.

Stephen Paterson, or Pato as he is better known, remembers the night of July 20, 2020, all too well.

He’d been away in Brisbane when the owners of the Federal Backpackers called him with the bad news - the pub he’d worked tirelessly on restoring was up in flames.

Pato slumped to the ground at the news about his livelihood. It was 3am by the time he made it back to Bundaberg as the building smouldered.

Pato has a 25-year history of running hotels in the region, with time spent at the Grand and the Old Bundy Tavern before he created the Spotted Dog.

Taking on the former Banjo’s Tavern in 2013, Pato set about renovating.

“I turned it into a beautiful, corporate pub,” he said.

The Spotted Dog goes up in flames on the evening of July 20, 2020. Fire crews worked through the night into the early hours of the 21st.

It was a popular spot with locals whether they were out partying or looking for a casual family dinner.

Pato says he enjoyed the strong connection with their customers and the opportunities that came with the Spotted Dog.

Now, a year on from the devastating tragedy, Pato has opened up about his plans for the Railway Hotel in North Bundaberg, which he now owns.

Determined to keep the traditional pub’s identity with a mix of his own, the hotel is dubbed The Railway Hotel Spotted Dog Cafe Bar and Grill.

“It’s good to come to a very proud, established hotel,” Pato said.

“I’m just so humbled by the support the public’s given me.”

The Spotted Dog goes up in flames on the evening of July 20, 2020. Fire crews worked through the night into the early hours of the 21st.

That support has been so strong that on some nights Pato just can’t squeeze everyone in who wants to attend.

Last Saturday saw him forced to turn down 150 customers and while speaking to the NewsMail on Monday, he revealed he had 70 lunch bookings and 90 already booked for dinner.

“I’m just so humbled by the support the public’s given me,” Pato said.

“I just love the town.”

The refurbished Railway Hotel has had a $100,000 upgrade to its kitchen, with disabled toilets being installed and more upgrades to come.

The Perry Street pub’s features include TAB facilities, a bar, pokies, accomodation, a bottle shop, plenty of parking, al fresco dining, all-day dining and cafe.

Pato’s sporting clubs have come back and most of his staff - which have grown in number from 10 to 40 - are from the original Spotted Dog venue.

“It’s back to what the Spotted Dog was,” he said, noting the helpfulness of his insurer through the process.

“It’s been an amazing turnaround.”

From the lows of last years to the great highs of a new opportunity, Pato says customers have reason to be excited - there’s still more to come.

Pato says he fell to the ground when he heard the news, but he’s all smiles at the new Spotted Dog venue over North.

Originally published as The Spotted Dog was one of Bundaberg’s favourite places before being destroyed by flames, now it’s back