NEW Leongatha venue Quirky Bar, opening on Friday, brings a retro theme with a 60s and 70s vibe, but won’t be locked into any musical genre or era and will offer an exciting range of cocktails, many of which are the creation of Sonia Webber, who has established the business with husband Steve.
The couple are already well known to locals as the owners and operators of Elsie’s Florist and while they were ready for a change, aren’t short on hospitality expertise, Steve being an experienced chef and Sonia having spent a couple of years honing her cocktail skills.
“I started making cocktails at home, creating them,” she said, having also undertaken distilling courses with hopes of venturing into that field in the not-too-distant future.
The venue offers that possibility, but bringing the bar to life seemed a logical starting point.
There’ll be around 30 cocktails on the menu, including Sonia’s recipes and some traditional varieties.
“I like creating the different flavours,” she said.
Local beer, wine and spirits will be offered, but those wanting mainstream brands will also be looked after.
Food will include platters, toasted sandwiches, jaffles, porcupine meatballs that get their name from the appearance of the rice on them, and Pigs in a Blanket, as well as nachos.
“Everything about it is quirky, like the furniture; we’ve been collecting all these bits and pieces from Marketplace and op shops and friends and family,” Sonia said.
The idea is to create a “nanna’s loungeroom” feel right down to a print identical to one Sonia’s grandmother had on her wall.
While recorded music playing will be from the 60s and 70s, a wide variety of live music performances will feature, with efforts being made to organise weekly Sunday sessions and other gigs once a month.
“We’re open to anything with music,” Sonia said, whether that be an acoustic guitar player, a band or other possibilities.
There’ll be no easing into the new business, with Sonia and Steve encouraging people to book their Christmas functions at Quirky Bar, with a customisable finger food menu available.
Sonia created the business’s logo that provides a lively beach feel, featuring a classic car topped with a surfboard, combined with musical notes and summery colours.
“I love all things old,” she said, Steve quipping that includes him.
It’s been a busy period getting everything ready, with fitting out the kitchen and bar among the last challenges undertaken, but Steve and Sonia were confident everything was on track when Sentinel-
Times popped in for a chat just over a week from the opening.
Quirky Bar is located at 48 Bair Street and opens at 3pm on Friday, November 7.
