The Queensland pub revolution continues with AVC reopening the Koala Tavern and Burleigh Town Hotel after multi-million-dollar facelifts.
F&B-led operator Australian Venue Co (AVC) has around 200 pubs nationally and has been investing heavily in what it calls “revitalising the Queensland pub landscape” at its many locations in the northern state.
Capalaba’s Koala Tavern is the ‘heart of the Redlands’ region in east Brisbane. It re-opened this week after undergoing a major $3 million transformation, highlighted by a revitalised bistro, entertainment-focused public bar and gaming room, and tried-and-true family-friendly focus – seen in the expansive new beer garden with adjoining kids’ play area, allowing adults to socialise while keep an eye on little ones.
The new-look menu offers a modern take on classic Australian pub food, plus pays homage to Australian family favourite the roast chicken, courtesy of hot chook rolls and rotisserie chicken with sides.
Entertainment and events are integrated, bringing local bands and touring acts to perform in the public bar, complementing sporting events live and loud on the big screens, and a weekly calendar of Tavern activities in Tuesday Trivia, ‘Blues and Brews’ Thursdays, and live music every Friday to Sunday.
And the group continues its community support Local Heroes program, donating $1 from sale of every Parma every Wednesday at the Koala to sporting partner Muddies Cricket Club and charity partner Save The Koala.
The pub will invite locals for a Welcome Weekend 25-27 November to celebrate the re-opening, promising Tradie Club giveaways and other prizes, free hot chook rolls Friday and Saturday, and entertainment in a live koala handler show in partnership with D’Aguilar Wildlife on Sunday, alongside photos, a balloon artist, face painter and kids’ gift bags.
“The Koala Tavern is an iconic venue in Capalaba and one that the community holds close to their heart,” says venue manager Nicki Lawrence.
“We’re so overjoyed that we can now pay it forward to the community that has supported us over the years, giving people of all ages an exciting space to socialise, be entertained and enjoy a good feed.”
Meanwhile, 80 kilometres south, on the Gold Coast, the Burleigh Town Hotel of Burleigh Heads reopened Thursday (10 November) after its $4.5 million transformation.
The pub is said to have become an entertainment hub for everyone, with sports bar, gaming room, epic new beer garden and adjoining kids’ playground, and revitalised family-friendly bistro.
Burleigh’s state-of-the-art Sports Bar boasts an 11-metre mega screen, thought to be one of the largest pub screens in south-east Queensland, plus a suspended cylinder screen ensuring perfect viewing from every vantage point.
A new entertainment zone includes a stage and the Hotel is looking forward to hosting live music by touring acts and local performers.
The new bistro menu will range the contemporary take on classic Australian pub fare while also showcasing a range of wood-fired pizzas, with the hand-stretched dough made in-house.
Burleigh Town Hotel will host its own weekend of special events on the same dates, 25-27 November, when guests will enjoy complimentary roving canapés and refreshments, Tradie Club giveaway plus a Stone & Wood beer garden pop-up. Sunday will be for the families, featuring kids’ entertainment in a live reptile show and face-painter, and free ice cream.
“It’s a gamechanger on the Gold Coast. We’re so excited to welcome local families, friends and sports fans to the next chapter of Burleigh Town Hotel,” says Burleigh Town Hotel venue manager Kim Moore.
The Koala and Burleigh join the growing list of AVC’s completed renovation projects, such as the Coomera Lodge, Cleveland Sands Hotel, Crown Hotel in Lutwyche, Bribie Island Hotel, Boomerang Hotel in Mackay, Kings Beach Hotel in Caloundra, Beenleigh Tavern in Logan, and Wallaby Hotel in Mudgeeraba.
