Live music venue planned for Ellis Beach Bar and Grill

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David Gardiner

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The iconic Ellis Bar Beach and Grill plans to extend hours to seven nights a week. Picture: Ellis Beach Bar and Grill

One of the most popular highway stops in far north Queensland, Ellis Beach Bar and Grill, is under new management with some big plans for extended hours and live music.

The Captain Cook Highway venue and accompanying Ellis Beach Oceanfront Bungalows and Holiday Park were sold to Tom Hedley’s Far North Hotels group in December, with the Bar and Grill also under the new management since February 1. 

Plans are for renovations “up the top” where the current beer garden is, including a new, proper stage. A new floor is already in the process of being installed there.

The new managers are trying to get a lot of the renovations done by the Easter holidays – when plans are to have breakfast, lunch and dinner every day (currently dinners are only Fridays and Saturdays) – and turn it into a live music venue, with bands also included later in the year.

“We’re doing this while we’re doing renovations,” long-time front of house and now venue manager, Marty Graham said.

“We will be open no matter what. Like today, there’s a concrete saw behind us (laughs).”
All front of house staff who worked under the previous management are still there. There have been some changes in the kitchen area, a new head chef included.

Mr Graham there are no plans for any gaming facilities, which are in some of Mr Hedley’s other pubs and taverns. “It’s going to be good food, music and a nice environment,” Mr Graham said.

“We’re only changing about 20 to 30 per cent of the menu. So all the nachos and the big beef burgers and all that stay on.”

As for the Oceanfront Bungalows Holiday Park across the road, it’s believed Mr Hedley has plans to also refurbish the park and cabins at some point.

With the purchase, he has also bought a 9.7ha property under ‘perpetual lease’ – as well as current approvals for a 214-room resort development including hotel, motel and apartment accommodation.

It’s not known at this stage if Far North Hotels intends to go ahead with the resort development plan.

Ellis Beach Oceanfront Bungalows and Holiday Park will also have a facelift in the future. Picture: Submitted

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