New venue ready to open its doors
Bar Wunder appeals to dog lovers
TOOWOOMBA’S newest bar which promises to deliver something new to the CBD is set to open this weekend.
Set-backs and redevelopment hiccups have delayed the passion project of Fiona Davis and Mark McElligot.
But with a few final touches, couch arranging, kitchen stocking and good vibes, the Ruthven St dog-friendly beergarden bar will throw open its newly designed front doors to the public today.
Like any major redevelopment, the process has been stressful and all-consuming but Mr McElligot and Ms Davis area nearing a sigh of relief with the opening today.
“Stressed but relieved to be finally getting to the end of the journey,” Mr McElligot said when asked how he was feeling after months of work.
“It has been a long one and longer than we expected but it is our first time doing something to this scale so we’ve been learning the whole time.”
The beer garden at the rear of the long, narrow venue which backs onto Club Lane will include 10 taps pouring craft beers.
The grassed area is dogfriendly so punters can enjoy a brew with man’s best friend and relax in the sunshine on fine days.
Another 10 taps with the same brews will be inside, flowing from the bar which boats a 1950s geometric mural by Toowoomba artist Karri McPherson. Bar Wunder will also be home the beloved German food fare of Ich Bin Ein Bratwurst fame.
The same style and theme has been carefully replicated throughout the new venue.
The Toowoomba couple has gone to great pains preserving the history of the building which locals would recognise as the old Camera House.
Beyond the personal connection, marked by sharing a beer with Camera House owner Syd Owen, Bar Wunder has remained as true as possible to the era the couple has styled the venue on.
“When we started to demolish the old Camera House, we just discovered layers and layers of their 60-year history in the construction,” Mr McElligot said.
That attention to detail can be seen throughout the entire bar which is filled with repurposed and upcycled furniture sourced from local secondhand shops.
Bar Wunder will open from 11am each day, closing at 8pm weekdays and midnight on Friday and Saturday.