A wider variety of drinks, food, longer opening hours and even a takeaway service is what Wollongong can expect when His Boy Elroy opens the doors on its new venue next week.
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The popular bar closed its Globe Lane premises in December last year, to make way for an eatery that will form part of the new David Jones upgrade.
The bar moved to a new location on the Wollongong Central Keira Street restaurant strip, next to the former Coco Cubano.
Co-owner Ben Hudson said it was the best of three sites offered by GPT.
“There are a lot of plusses and foot traffic is definitely one of them,” Mr Hudson said.
“The seven-day-a week trade is obviously another plus. Down at Globe Lane it’s bit of a ghost town Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.
“Up in this area most of the restaurants are pretty full on those days. So it definitely gave us the option to increase our trade.”
Since they got their hands on the site in January, Mr Hudson and the team have been busy trying to fulfill their self-imposed two-month deadline to get the venue ready to roll.
“We run Lee and Me so we’ve been continuing doing that but a lot of our energy has been into the new site,” Mr Hudson said.
“Trying to set up a new place in two months is pretty tough anyway – that’s been a bit of gig in itself.”
Mr Hudson said the Prohibition speakeasy vibe of the old venue wouldn’t be replicated at the new site – partially because that decor had been influenced by the venue’s exposed copper piping.
Instead, they’ve opted for an American diner theme for the Keira Street location.
The new venue is actually smaller than the old one, which is surprising given the amount of extra stuff – and staff – Mr Hudson plans on introducing.
He said in-house smoked American barbecue cuisine will be added to the menu – and that’s only the start.
“We’re doing more beers on tap, we’ve increased our whisky from 15 whiskies to 50 whiskies, we’ve doubled our cocktails from 20 to 40.
“So it’s a real bar now. We’ve employed another five bar staff to cater for that.”
There’s also going to be the chance to take a little bit of His Boy Elroy home.
“Takeaway is another big focus for us,” he said.
“We’ve just done a package for our takeaway, which includes takeaway bags, takeaway burger boxes.
“We’re also doing delivery in the CBD area, which we’re excited about.”
And the opening date? Mr Hudson said, as long as there isn’t a “hiccup” they’ll be open on Wednesday next week but is certain the doors will be open in time for Friday drinks.
