‘Karens’ to take over Petrie Hotel for sassy dining fundraiser next month

Published 2:00pm 17 August 2022

Don’t expect any friendly pleasantries from the waiters and bar staff at the Petrie Hotel next month, with staff set to unleash their inner ‘Karen’.

The hotel is hosting a ‘Karen Dining Experience’, where for one night only the staff will turn the tables by dishing up bad manners, smart-arse comments and shitty service, all with a side of fries!

For those who might not be familiar with the term ‘Karen’, it’s slang for an obnoxious, angry and entitled middle-aged white woman who uses her privilege to get her way or police other people’s behaviors.

The themed dining experience will be held on Saturday, September 17, beginning at 5.30pm.

Petrie Hotel Venue Manager Mandy Fitzgerald (pictured) said this is the first time the hotel has run a night like this, but hope to do more in the future.

“People can expect a night of good food but bad service,” Mandy said.

“The staff are going to be rude and have plenty of smart-arse comments to all the customers, but it will all be in good fun.

“There has already been a lot of interest from the community who are keen for a fun night out.

“So far, we have got more than 70 people booked in, and I’m hoping we can get 120 people on the night.

“When people ring up and book, we make sure they know exactly what they can expect, and they laugh and tell us that is why they are coming.

“It’s something different, something fun, and depending on how this one goes, we might look at doing it again.”

Diners can expect the same menu, although everything has been renamed to reflect the theme of the night.

“My favourite menu item is the ‘I’m a little piggy half rack’,” Mandy said, laughing.

“When they come up to the till to order, it’s going to be really funny.”

The night will also feature games and prizes – some good prizes and some not so good.

Raising money for a good cause

The evening won’t be all bad, with the Petrie Hotel using the night was a way to raise much-needed funds to help sick and injured animals.

Mandy said a portion of the proceeds from the night will be donated to Wildlife Rescue Queensland - a non-profit organisation specialising in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of native Australian wildlife.

While the organisation is mainly based in Moreton Bay, their network of dedicated volunteers also extends to other regions of South East Queensland and further afield in the sunshine state.

Mandy said she wanted to help a local organisation who do so much good in the community.

“We have a customer who comes in and she shows me the photos of the animals they rescue, such as possums, koalas – you name it,” Mandy said.

“What really got to me is that you use their own money to care for the animals.

“We hope we can raise some money to really help them out.”

Volunteers from Wildlife Rescue Queensland will also be in attendance on the night and will be selling merchandise and chatting to diners about the work they do.