SPORTS BARS: TOP OF THE LADDER

Top of the ladder

Creating the ultimate sports bar experience requires focus on several different aspects of the offer – from F&B to AV and furniture. Check out what some clubs across the country are putting on in their top-notch sports bars.

FOOD

Castle Hill RSL Club, NSW

This Hills District club ramped up its offering last year by including an exciting new food brand, Short Cut, as part of its Sports at 77 offering, just in time for the Finals. The brand, fit-out and food positioned the venue as an American sports bar meets modern family diner to balance Sports at 77’s once blokey offering.

Food from the Short Cut food outlet at Castle Hills RSL.

Targeting a mix of sports enthusiasts, including families and young adults, the space features arcade games, gaming consoles and a pool table for all patrons to enjoy. The brand was designed by Soft Launch, in partnership with Castle Hill RSL Club and Catering HQ, with the brand colours, tone of voice, photography style, uniforms and tableware all designed to complement the Short Cut brand.

David O’Neil, group CEO of CRHG says putting Short Cut on the fixture was also a means to diversify the club’s culinary offering.

“The food is flavoursome, well presented and caters exceptionally well to a diverse demographic of diners who are looking for a family-friendly dining experience, quick bite to eat before a show, or something to enjoy with mates while watching the big screens,” he says.

AUDIO

Moama Bowling Club, NSW

This border town venue’s new purpose-built sports bar incorporates the latest in audio and visual technology. Designed by Adelaide architects Studio Nine, part of the brief was to create separate zones within the open-plan Sports Bar for uninterrupted viewing and audio to match. A large 6mx2m LED TV wall was installed as the central screen for the feature sport being broadcast. Working in conjunction with the screen is a 7.8mx3m Jbn Sound Ceiling directional speaker system that provides the best zone audio solution for sports broadcasts.

Jbn’s directional speaker systems have been installed at Moama Bowling Club’s sports bar to create separate AV zones in the space.

The on-premise wagering component consists of several smaller TVs with an additional 1.8mx5.4m Jbn Sound Ceiling to match. Rather than compete, the two Jbn sound systems work alongside each other without any broadcast crossover.

Other sports bars using Jbn sound systems include NSW’s East Maitland Bowlo, Wyong Leagues, Shellharbour Workers, Manly Leagues and Barooga Sports. In Victoria it is Traralgon Bowls Club, Sale Greyhound Club and Yarraville Club while Queensland’s Across the Waves and Townsville RSL also have Jbn upgrades.

BIG SCREENS

St Marys Rugby League Club, NSW

With a build by FDC and design by Bergstrom Architects the wow factor at the St Marys Rugby League Club’s new Saints Sports Bar was created by offering an American-style venue that immersed patrons in an experience like no other.

St Marys Rugby League Club hopes to lure fans to Saints Sports Bar.

Patrons can witness every big game, race, fight, or match on the massive 4.8mx2.7m screen, a huge 3mx1.69m screen or any of the 45 4K LED screens that dot the venue. It makes for an immense stadium-like atmosphere with a speaker system that makes you feel like you’re in the heart of the action.

Designed for the ultimate audio-visual presentation of all sports it has been a hit for everything from Super Bowl to cricket over summer to now the 2023 NRL and AFL seasons.

“Saints Sports Bar is quite frankly in a league of its own,” the club says.

THEMING AND INTERIORS

North Lakes Sports Club, Queensland

An optimised sports bar and deck upgraded the existing sports bar to be bigger and better with a $2.8m refurbishment bringing new, premium and exciting experiences to the local community currently not offered in the area.

The revamped sports bar at North Lakes Sports Club has an industrial aesthetic.

The new outlet, with its rustic industrial theme and timber furniture, includes a 12sqm sports screen, plus a variety of other screens to watch all sorts of sports all in the one spot.

“Our industrial theme and furniture style all contributes to a dedicated room that has a different feel and atmosphere to the rest of the club,” says North Lakes’ venue and culture manager Craig Allan.