After 18 months of post-flood restoration, the Regatta Hotel on Coronation Drive in Toowong will officially reclaim its title as the 'Grand Lady of the Brisbane River' next weekend (if you've been using that title in the interim, I guess it's time to give it back).
The 138-year-old hotel, subjected to a $10 million restoration program after the January 2011 floods, will celebrate its revival with a three-day reopening weekend celebration from August 31 — September 2. All areas (The Front Bar, The Courtyard, The Boatshed, The Cellar Bar, Street Cafe and Gaming Room) will be opened to the general public.
You can expect complimentary tasting plates from Friday evening through to Sunday evening; guided tours of the hotel; live music; a live B105 broadcast on Friday morning featuring The Veronicas; an appearance by Kath & Kim (sure, why not?) and more. There'll also be collector's edition Regatta Hotel coasters to mark the weekend, if that's your thing.
"For almost 140 years Brisbane has met, mingled and created stories at The Regatta Hotel's historic bars," said Regatta Hotel manager Zoran Stojcevski, who started working at the hotel the day after the floods hit.
"As a seasoned entertainer, The Regatta has had her feet wet more times than a patron has had a spill with the amber; but she wasn't counting on gumboots and holding her breath as the sun rose over the floodwaters of Brisbane on the morning of January 13, 2011. Now, this lady is set to return; history has been rebuilt, setting the stage for a new era."
