The Rusty Nail: New bar opens at Nicholas Street Precinct, Ipswich

Ipswich residents eager for a fun night out with friends need not look further than the CBD, as it is now home to a bustling bar filled with tapas, craft beer, wine and cocktails.

A new bar has opened its doors at Ipswich’s Nicholas Street Precinct, serving up craft beer, wine, tapas, and other signature food and drink.

Owners Emma Hutchinson and John Keating have spent the past 10 weeks transforming their newly-acquired space at 44 Ipswich City Mall into a unique entertainment, food and drink venue – The Rusty Nail.

Acting on a “gap in the market” they observed in recent years, Ms Hutchinson and Mr Keating hope their new business will inject some life back into the once-thriving Ipswich CBD.

“It will be a place for people to go and enjoy some local food and alcohol,” Ms Hutchinson said.

“The beer that we’ve got – even some of the gins and wines – we’re trying to keep them local as much as possible. And definitely our food is all local.

“I guess we just want to get the night-life happening in Ipswich because it’s been dead for so long.”

The Rusty Nail owners Emma Hutchinson and John Keating. Picture: Maverix Crew

Ms Hutchinson, originally from England, and Mr Keating, originally from Ireland, bought a house at Ipswich three years ago and quickly came to love the city and its community.

Having opened a number of coffee shops and a bar in the past, they decided they would like to do something similar close to their new home.

Hence, The Rusty Nail was born.

Ms Hutchinson and Mr Keating have already received “overwhelming” support from Ipswich residents of all ages, which they expect will reflect the bar’s customer demographic.

Co-owner Ms Hutchinson said The Rusty Nail will be a place people of all ages can come to enjoy good food, drink, company, and entertainment. Picture: Maverix Crew

“We’ve seen such a huge range in the (age of the) audience just from social media,” Ms Hutchinson said.

“It really ranges from 18 to 65. I imagine we will probably be pulling in an audience who are around the 30 to 40 (years) mark.”

Down the track, Ms Hutchinson said The Rusty Nail will be a place entertainers, including local musicians and comedians, can come to perform.

In the meantime, patrons can enjoy the bar’s tasting room in the basement, its “grungy” atmosphere downstairs and “classy” atmosphere upstairs, and its high-quality, locally-sourced drinks and specialty dishes, such as The Rusty Nail sandwich and pork belly.

Chef Adam Dayes uses local produce to create delicious snacks and meals that reflect seasonality. Picture: Maverix Crew

Bookings and enquiries for Christmas events and other functions have already started to flow in, so people interested in securing a table over the holidays are encouraged to reach out now.

“(The response) has been amazing. Incredible really,” Ms Hutchinson said.

“We’ve been bombarded with bookings and enquiries and so many people have wished us good luck.”

Ms Hutchinson and Mr Keating are currently on the lookout for more bar staff and a second chef to join their team as they grow and expand and, hopefully, open for lunch in the future.

Patrons can visit The Rusty Nail between 4pm and 10pm Thursdays, 4pm and midnight Fridays and Saturdays, and 4pm and 10pm Sundays.

Originally published as The Rusty Nail: New bar opens at Nicholas Street Precinct, Ipswich