While being in the middle of a global pandemic, times have been tough for us in the hospitality industry. From lockdowns to restrictions, running a bar or club has had it's challenges. Even though all this happening it hasn't stopped many new Australian operators from opening new venues. We caught up with Kyle Weir who recently opened up a wine and disco theme bar in the heart of Fortitude Valley. From tasty natural wines to funky disco tunes, Queens welcomes everyone to join them in for a night.
Not being a stranger to Fortitude Valley nightlife scene, Tell us a little bit about yourself?
Freshly tattooed, skinny little 18 year old being taken under Dave Marshall’s wing at Monastery nightclub was my first introduction to The Valley, from Mono it turned into Oh Hello! where I got boosted up into venue manager when I was 20, which was pretty crazy. From there, I was offered work in hospitality operations for a big group in Sydney doing a 9-5, so off I went. I didn’t know anyone in Sydney so I started working in bars/clubs on weekends to keep myself busy. Realised how much I preferred being behind the bar as opposed to running reports on pokies and making P&Ls. Was offered a role within the Solotel group who operated some really cool Sydney venues across the city, met some incredible humans, started my fashion side hustle then was offered a role within the company back home in Brisbane. With a pretty ecstatic Mum and Dad on the receiving end of the phone, moved my young family back here to open Little Big House where I was GM, then took some time off to conceptualise a venue of my own. Music and art is such an important element to venues, what styles of music and entertainment will we see at Queens?
The reason I called the venue Queens is because the word can mean so many different things to so many different people, and music and arts is a common denominator with them all. You have Queens, the borough of New York city, Drag Queens, Queen the band, Queens as in female empowerment, Queen as in royalty, the list goes on but everyone I speak to about it is connected to the word in a different way which is really exciting. I aim to bring a touch of all of these sorts of elements through the speakers in the venue via Djs and some drag performances in the future. A big vibe from Queens comes from it's modern disco theme, what inspired you to hang up some disco balls and light the space up with neon colours?
We all look good under warm neon lights, and disco balls are always fun. The valley has such a big atmosphere with lots of unique venues and spaces, what's going to draw people into Queens?
Along with other venues in the valley, we promote a safe space for all demographics. Myself and staff are active and aware of movements and language in the venue and don’t put up with anything derogatory or negative to ensure this. My worst fear is having a patron feel uncomfortable in the venue. So I guess the answer to this question in essence is that being able to express your nature and be yourself is what will draw customers into the venue. What could we see your team serving behind the bar?
My passion is wine, natural wine so it’s definitely the focus of the beverage offering. Small quantity, limited release kind of stuff, but with some hoppy, hazy, sour locally brewed beers from the guys down at Range Brewing. A small rotating cocktail list and some small snack foods with burrata being served a few different ways. It must have been a hell of a time opening two venues during a pandemic, how did it feel to be finally open? And what are you looking forward to next?
Venue 1(Commercial Road Public Bar) was pretty tricky, with the expected opening date being 2 weeks after the initial lockdown in Brisbane last year, I pulled out of the whole project altogether then revisited it during the lockdown and managed to open in September 2020. With plans of relocating CRPB to another location in Newstead, we’re focusing on Queens in the Valley. Opening CRPB took 6 months, but we did Queens in pretty much 6 days. In the future, have a lot planned, since selling my fashion label in Sydney, July 2021 allows me to look at doing a fashion label as the conflict of interest contract in the sale passes but other than that, maybe a 3rd venue after putting some quality time into my family. For anyone looking to venture into Queens, come find Kyle and the crew at @queensfortitudevalley 368 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley
Open 7 days a week
4pm-Midnight.
(Interview by Brennen Eaton)
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