Cactus Jack’s ready to reopen

Cactus Jack’s will open its doors again later this week – but not in the Moreton Bay region.

The popular restaurant, bar and live music venue closed its doors recently after more than 13 years on Redcliffe Parade.

Read about the closure here 

Owners of the vacant Pilpel site which is connected to the former Cactus Jack’s building have plans for a major development along the waterfront.

But owners Cactus Jack’s Rob and Kate Griffiths have found a new venue, on Brisbane’s southside and plan to reopen on Friday March 13.

They are busy fitting out the former Tillies Bar and Games premises, which is at 277, Tilley Rd in Gumdale.

“It will be very much the same (as Redcliffe),” Rob said, “we’re pretty lucky the majority of the kitchen team are coming with us - and front-of-house staff.

“With 30-odd staff and a close-knit team, it was important for us to keep going. We would have loved to find another spot on the peninsula.

“We hope - and one day would love - to potentially open in Moreton Bay again, but right now, being a family business and with staff, we had to find a site.”

Rob told the Moreton Daily in January, they had spent three years trying to secure a lease with the Redcliffe site owners.

He believed Cactus Jack’s would be part of the redevelopment. “There were even discussions about expanding the venue and making Cactus Jack’s two storeys.

“About six months ago, communication around future plans stopped.

“Then around three months ago, we were told the building was going to be demolished and that Cactus Jack’s wouldn’t be offered a position.”

Announcing the closure on social media brought an outpouring of support from residents, musicians and customers.