Entertainment
12 January, 2025
Cosy bar has intimate feel
IT HAS retained the intimate, early 1900s feel, with fat leather couches, dark wood tables, and objet d’art touches, but the relocated Conservatory Bar, a long-standing specialty wine venue, now offers up that little extra.
“Well, the fact that it’s bigger is a nice little plus and the hidden dinner room – it’s awesome,” owner Ross Stevens said with a boyish grin.
He slides a bookcase to his left and reveals a doorway into a secret room, its walls lined with shelves loaded with bottles of red wine. A large timber dining table takes up the centre of the room, easily seating a party of 10 or hosting a larger, chair-free soiree.
With a nod to the speakeasy, Mr Stevens said he had “tried his best” to honour the style of the prohibition era and keep the feel of his original bar.
“So far, everyone has said I’ve gone above and beyond, and they love it.”
It means a lot to him, as he has built a solid following of ‘dedicated regulars’ who were quick to return when he quietly opened the new space over the Christmas period.
“It makes all of the stress of moving worth it,” Mr Stevens said.
The venue offers more than 800 wines, both nationally and internationally, and was awarded an official ‘2 glass rating’ from the Australian Wine List of The Year in 2022.
The bar will be having its grand opening on January 25 to underscore the fresh start for the venue, which has been operating for 10 years in Cairns, the last five under Mr Stevens’ ownership.
“We’ll be having a capped event (of 35 people) between 6-9 pm, with Amber Macintosh playing an acoustic set, and a canapes pack on offer,” he said.
“We’ll also have a complimentary champagne tower in the hidden room, as a bit of a thank you to everyone who’s supported us over the past five years.”
Challenges included the COVID slowdown and continuing interest rate pressures.
“We may have another tough year … but I think we’re pretty lucky up here.”
The Conservatory Bar grand opening is an open invitation, but bookings are essential on 0406478470.
