Cheers to a new era in dining

A new seaside bar serving up craft beer, wine, spirits and other signature food and drink from across the region is set to open on the peninsula in the coming days.

Following months of renovations, the owners of ERA Bar and Grill are excited to welcome guests to their official opening on Wednesday, November 30.

ERA Bar and Grill has long been a dream for owners Damion and Shannen Beilby, who bought the two-storey site on the corner of Redcliffe Parade and Baker Street eight years ago.

It was previously the site of the old Moreton Bay Hotel, as well as some other commercial tenancies.

As the couple juggle the opening of ERA alongside the opening of their craft brewery and taproom - Hip Hops Brewers - in Brendale, Damion and Shannen hired Oli Thomson to oversee the day-to-day running of the bar.

Oli, who is the former owner of Suttons Beach Pavilion, says there has been lots of interest and excitement from the community.

“I have known Damion for a while now, and when he said he needed someone to run the bar at ERA, I stepped in,” Oli says.

“I am really excited to be here and see this bar take shape.

“It’s like being in a fish bowl here, with everyone stopping and looking in the windows while we have been busy inside preparing for our opening.

“It’s good to see there is so much buzz and interest from the community, which clearly shows there is a need for a smaller and cosier bar on the peninsula.”

Once open, guests will be able to feast on menu items like burgers, pizzas and tapas all made with fresh ingredients grown here in the Moreton Bay Region or within the Southeast Queensland corner, as well as wet their whistle with a cool drink from the extensive beverage menu.

“The chefs have been busy finalising the menu and over the coming days they will be practicing how to make all the dishes,” Oli says.

“We have a big focus on local products. For example, our meat will be coming from King Street Meat Co at Woody Point.

“We have 25 craft beers on tap from local brewers, we also have some local gin suppliers like Laceys Hill Distilling Co, as well as more beer and wine from the Sunshine Coast.

“People are excited to try the beers. A lot of brave Aussies reckon they can get through the 25 taps, but I say that’s not without us carrying them home.”

Good for the local economy

A total of 18 staff members are already on the books, but Oli is hoping to find a few more people to join the team.

“It’s great that we have managed to pull a good team together because everyone knows the hospitality industry is struggling at the moment,” Oli says.

“I already have five chefs, but I am looking for one more experienced chef, plus a few more experienced bar staff.”

If you are interested, send your resume to [email protected]

Oli also hopes to find some talented musicians who will come on board and play regularly.

Head on down

Oli is hoping ERA will become a favourite spot amongst locals and visitors to gather for a meal, a drink and listen to some live music.

“We are a small, family-run business using local suppliers to provide a welcoming environment for the whole family,” Oli explains.

“We will have a kid’s menu and indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the water.

“We will build upstairs, and there has been a lot of interest in that, but for now we just want to see the downstairs section open.

“So please come on down and check us out as we bring in a new era of dining to Redcliffe.”

Era Bar and Grill is located on the corner of Redcliffe Parade and Baker Street.

You can also stay up to date with ERA Bar and Grill on their Facebook page.