A renowned waterfront restaurant has been reopened with a fresh look.
Pier 33, one of the Sunshine Coast’s most popular hospitality venues, has been transformed into a major dining, events and entertainment destination under the stewardship of its new owners the Williams family.
The refurbishment coincides with the launch of a new privately-owned ferry service, which will operate from Kawana to Mooloolaba.
Pier 33 venue manager Max Williams said the former Mooloolaba Yacht Club, established in 1967, has been upgraded to ensure it is modern and appealing. There are expectations it will become well-known for events, wedding and dining.
“Our family has interests in many hospitality venues including the award winning Madam Wu and Chu the Phat in Brisbane as well as a host of pubs and bars across South-East Queensland,” he said.
“We’ve been keeping our eye on this venue for quite some time now and when the opportunity arose we jumped at it.
“It’s a premium site and we could see a significant opportunity to create an iconic destination for amazing waterfront weddings and events, as well as a place where people can enjoy stunning food in our restaurant or some cool drinks and casual food while overlooking the water.
“Our theme is ‘Bringing it, local’, which means not only is the venue under local ownership but we will employ locals and, where possible, our chef will source the finest ingredients and produce to showcase in our menu on a daily basis.”
The Williams family has spent more than $500,000 to upgrade the venue, including a significant internal refurbishment which will not only provide a stunning entry statement but also state-of-the-art acoustics for live music and events.
“The yacht club has a long history of people celebrating their wedding day along with other major milestones such as school graduations and corporate events and our goal is to bring that back in a big way,” Mr Williams said.
“We’ve also created one of the largest wine cellars on the Sunshine Coast, where we will stock a range of popular as well as hard to get national and international wines.
“It’s also the place where families and friends can get together on a lazy Saturday or Sunday afternoon and enjoy a more casual dining experience on the lawn overlooking the stunning waterfront and drink in our great sunsets.”
Experienced chef Murray Paterson joins the Pier 33 team as group executive chef following a career working in major national and international hospitality venues across China, Thailand, Malaysia, Korea and Singapore.
“Murray is an exciting addition to our team,” Mr Williams said.
“His experience working with major brands such as Sofitel, Novotel, Sheraton and The Four Seasons was exactly what we wanted at Pier 33 to ensure our food offer was at the cutting edge of national and international trends.
“We are really excited to see what he can create for our guests using the finest local ingredients.”
The launch of Pier 33 coincides with a new ferry service, which aims to make life easier for diners wanting a more luxurious way to access everything Mooloolaba has to offer.
Mooloolaba Ferry has been launched by the owners of Coastal Cruises, which aims to have a seven-day service operating between Kawana Waters Hotel, the Mooloolaba Wharf and Pier 33.
Co-owner Darren Smith said he saw the need for a quick water-based transport service to enable patrons easy access in and out of the region’s major dining and entertainment precinct.
“We know how busy it gets during school holidays and Christmas but we firmly believe there will be year round demand for our ferry service,” he said.
“We purchased the Lucinda, which is an ex-Brisbane River ferry which holds up to 50 people seated, and we’ve spent the past year fixing it up and getting our approvals in place so we can commence operating in October this year.
“We love the new look Pier 33.
“It’s an important destination for our business and it’s sure to become one of these must-visit experiences for locals and tourists alike.”
