It’s been a long and tedious process but Michael Singleton is proud to have opened a new bar in his Austinmer backyard
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Mr Singleton took over Shells Diner on Lawrence Hargrave Drive around three years ago, renowned for their fish and chips by the beach.
His vision for the eclectic eatery was a fun diner where adults could relax with a cold beverage while their kids played on the sand across the road.
“There’s nothing up and down here, we’ve got Adrian [Austi Beach Cafe] next door and ourselves but that’s it,” Mr Singleton said. “Thirroul’s got a couple of beer garden-style places and thought we needed one as well.”
Two Christmas’ later and lots of “council red tape”, the converted backyard at the rear of the diner is open for business.
After its first week Mr Singleton said he was grateful for so much support.
“It’s been received really well with the locals, there’s been some travelers in there as well and they’ve enjoyed it – it reminds them of Bali and that sort of thing,” he said.
The beer garden – filled with surfboards and eclectic furniture –is open daily from 12pm to 8pm for adults wanting a beer, wine or cocktail with food.
Mr Singleton will continue his love of rockabilly and country tunes blaring from the diners’ speakers. Acoustic musicians will also appear in the garden from time to time.
“We like to crank our music here,” he said.
Thirroul’s got a couple of of beer garden-style places and thought we needed one as well.
- Michael Singleton
Their official opening is Saturday January 5 from 2pm to 4pm.
The small bar scene is thriving in the northern suburbs with many new establishments opening over the past five years, especially in Thirroul.
In November, Old South opened in place of Gidget’s cafe in Thirroul – serving beer, wine and cocktails with tapas style food.
Postmans was also given a revamp and transformed into Para which opened in September.
You’ll also find a beverage at the bar attached to Thirroul Beach Motel – Jose Jones; the quaint garden out the back of Franks Wild Years record store and Escondidos Mexican restaurant, to name a few.
While Headlands Hotel at Austinmer was recently named Best Overall Hotel of the Year in region Australia, at the 2018 Australian Hotels Association Awards.