Newcastle’s legendary Star Hotel has reopened to welcome the LGBTQ+ community, a century in the making, as Bernie’s Bar.
Partners Patrick Fisher, Kitt Nissen and Hollie ‘Gracie’ Tose had a concept for a queer-friendly bar in Steel City. After talking about it for years and extensive searching, the new venue opened Tuesday (16 May) in the storied Star hotel, in Newcastle West.
The name Bernie’s Bar is an historic nod to Bernie’s Wine Bar, which came to be Newcastle’s first queer bar, opening in Hamilton in the 1920s.
In contrast to its legend as the site of a mass riot when it closed in 1979, giving rise to the Cold Chisel song by the same name, in the 70s and again in the 80s the Star Hotel was popular as a trans and drag bar.
Taking the keys mid-April, the team has painted the interior and set about making it the stuff of their dreams, hoping to continue the legacy of the original Bernie’s, a hundred years later, as a place where everyone can unite.
Nissen holds the licence, and will run day-to-day operations. The drinks offering will range eight taps from mostly local brewers, plus what she describes as a “wild” cocktails and mocktails menu, and an extensive range of non-alcoholic options, including full lagers and ginger beer.
Fisher is the chef, and says he plans to bring a bit of “excitement and colour” to the scene through a selection of share plates, tapas, charcuterie boards, and luscious desserts. The kitchen will be open six days for lunch and dinner, plus the essential gay community option of brunch on weekends.
The pub provides gender-neutral toilets, a community library and the social media-essential “selfie” wall.
While it will no longer be a live and loud rock venue, and the trio stress it is not a nightclub, there is still a small stage where they plan to host intimate events.
Tose’s background is in event management, and she has an extensive and diverse program on the way that will include regular gigs such as queer history night and queer poetry, life drawing, trivia and karaoke.
Bernie’s is aiming to be more than just a bar, hoping to facilitate the process of self-discovery in the community. Employed is a team made up of hospitality professionals and proud members of the queer community.
With a goal of helping people create their own stories, the venue will also host burlesque nights, and a monthly “coming out” party that encourages any person who has pronounced their status or who wants to welcome someone new to the community.
There will also be happenings for the ‘mature’ queer crowd, such as the ‘golden daytime’ events, wine and whiskey tasting, degustations and jazz nights.
“Supporting Bernie’s Bar means supporting the local LGBTQ+ community,” says the team.
“We’re not just building a bar; we’re creating a symbol of pride and unity in Newcastle.”
Bernie’s threw open the doors for a soft launch yesterday, ahead of the major launch party, scheduled for Thursday, 1 June, in celebration of the start of Pride Month.
