MEET: THREE WOLVES

Small Bars: Big Things Happening in CAIRNS

SAM KENNIS, DARREN BARBER, GRANT BUCKHAM AND ANDREW PARE ARE THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE SMALL BAR SCENE IN CAIRNS. CREATING BARS THE LOCALS AND TOURISTS ARE ONLY FAMILIAR TO IN OUR MAJOR CAPITALS CITIES; THESE GUYS ARE LIFTING THE COCKTAIL CULTURE UP NORTH. AFTER HOSTING THE BARTENDER WORKSHOPS AT THREE WOLVES AND FLAMINGOS, BARFLY SAT DOWN WITH THE TEAM TO FIND OUT MORE ON THE CAIRNS COCKTAILS SCENE, CHALLENGES OPENING A VENUE IN REGIONAL TOWNS AND ABOUT THE BAR COMMUNITY.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY AND TELL US A LITTLE OF HOW YOU’VE ENDED UP IN CAIRNS?

We have over 15 years of combined experience in the hospitality industry.

Darren had sold a business in the Hunter Valley and decided to escape to Cairns. After moving here he noticed a lack of highquality cocktail bars and small bars. After engaging with Sam and Grant, we opened Three Wolves, Cairns first laneway small bar. Sam, who has over ten years experience in running venues, moved up from Sydney about four weeks before the opening to handle the operations side.

YOU KEEP VERY BUSY WITH YOUR HANDS IN MANY (INDUSTRY) PIES, TELL US WHAT SITS WITHIN YOUR COMPANY/BRAND/ REPERTOIRE?

Gin Social and Flamingos Tiki Bar, which is where Andrew got involved. Those three venues are based in Cairns. Along with that, we have recently opened up a microbrewery and venue in Gosford (NSW) called Bay Rd Brewing.

ORIGINALLY BEING FROM SYDNEY – IN YOUR OPINION HOW DOES CAIRNS’ HOSPITALITY DIFFERENTIATE TO SYDNEY?

One major difference is obviously the size. Cairns is a very small town, so all the hospitality staff know each other at every venue.

Hospitality in Cairns is also primely focused on tourists and backpackers, with 2 for 1 meal deals and cheap drinks for the highly transient population.

The majority of hospitality staff themselves are backpackers, that are just in the industry to get by while travelling. However, there is a solid group of around 30 people who are heavily involved

in the industry and are trying to push the scene forward.

WERE THERE ANY DIFFICULTIES WHEN SETTING UP THE VENUE IN THIS LOCATION? IF SO WHAT WERE THEY?

Council was a difficult one to get around because we were the first of our kind in Cairns. We have built all our venues ourselves which always takes time.

Staff is always a challenging issue in a place like Cairns as we have a lot of temporary staff that come and go. We always try to hire locals, to give our local patrons an fantastic and consistent experience.

CAIRNS CBD, WHY DID YOU CREATE THIS STYLE OF VENUE IN A ‘BACKPACKERS’ OR ‘TOURIST’ TOWN?

We wanted to create something that Cairns didn’t have and a bar that we would like to have a drink at. Although Cairns is known for backpackers and tourists, we have a lot of locals that live here too and a lot of young professionals that have moved from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane that miss these styles of venues.

HOW DOES YOUR TEAM COLLABORATE ON THE MENU OR IS IT SOMEONE IN PARTICULAR WHO LOOKS AFTER THE MENU?

At both Three Wolves and Flamingos, we change the drinks menu every three months. When we do this, it is a collaborative effort with all the team, that takes about 6-8weeks to finalise. Once it’s completed, we get a few family members, friends and regular customers to try the cocktails and give honest feedback before we launch.

Gin Social’s menu is worked on by the staff there. It is in the Hilton Lobby so we need to have a menu there that is suitable for a lot of different demographics.

DO YOU IMPLEMENT ANY SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES ON THE MENUS WITHIN EITHER OF YOUR VENUES?

Across all venues, we use local fresh produce. In a town like Cairns, it’s so important to support locally. We use all skin from fruits. Juice what we need. Dehydrate what we can. Bamboo straws are used for guest, and for tasting drinks behind the bar all staff have metals straws. We also don’t use napkins.

I am playing around with Banana stalks at the moment for coasters. The team take home coffee grounds at the end of the night for the gardens or body scrubs.

Endless Summer Workshop

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE INDUSTRY NEEDS TO SEE MORE OF?

Support from Government and local councils. As well as more awareness for physical and mental health. Getting together outside of work and participating in social sports etc.