Wagner opens Toowoomba’s newest pub and hotel

THE first beers have been poured at The Rock pub after it opened alongside the Oaks Toowoomba Hotel yesterday.

THE first beers have been poured at The Rock pub after it opened alongside the Oaks Toowoomba Hotel yesterday.

Built on the site of the old Gladstone Hotel on Ruthven St, building developer and The Rock owner Kenneth Wagner said the pub's name had been derived from former patrons of the Gladstone Hotel referring to it as the "happy rock".

He said in playing on the word "stone" out of Gladstone, the venue has been rebranded as "The Rock".

The Rock opens on Ruthven Street.

The two-storey "gastropub" consists of a modern dining area, beer garden and street dining on the ground floor, as well as the Top Bar on the second storey.

Mr Wagner said the development of The Rock and the Oaks Toowoomba Hotel had started in 2016, and he was excited that it was finally opened.

"It's been a long time coming. We're thrilled to be open even during these circumstances," he said.

"Our original opening date was April 14, and we've been working on an opening time between now and then for quite a few months.

"We have coincided the opening of our pub with the Oaks Hotel."

The Rock opens on Ruthven Street.

With further easing of COVID-19 restrictions, Mr Wagner hoped to be able to have 90-100 people in the ground floor area of the pub.

He said the Top Bar won't be opening until all restrictions had eased.

Paying homage to the historical Gladstone Hotel, Mr Wagner has used the floorboards of the old building to cover the walls of Top Bar.

Minor Hotels chief operating officer Craig Hooley said he was also excited to have the Oaks Toowoomba Hotel open after what had been a tough year.

"We are so thrilled to take a step forward with the launch of Oaks Toowoomba Hotel," he said.

"Bookings have been very strong, with 100 per cent occupancy over the weekend."

To book a table for lunch or dinner at The Rock, visit www.therockpub.com.au