AN ALL NEW ERA HAS BEGUN AT THE ENTERTAINMENT QUARTER, MOORE PARK WITH WATSON’S TO JOIN THE SYDNEY PUB SCENE
Renovations have begun of the longstanding PJ Gallaghers Irish Pub at the Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park with works underway to welcome the all new, Watson’s, scheduled for what will be a much-anticipated launch in August 2021. Following extensive renovations, Watson’s will join the Sydney pub scene, promising a solid all- rounder of a venue.
Following the closure of PJ Gallagher’s EQ last year, after being the venue of choice for every sporting and music event in the area since 1999, the two-storey somewhat iconic building lay dormant until now.
Operating under a ten-year leasehold agreement with the management team at The Entertainment Quarter, John Singleton, Gerry Harvey and Mark Carnegie, Watson’s is the brainchild of longtime mates Michael Watson (Wats On Events) and Danny Stapleton (West’s Tigers Director).
Following a tumultuous year for major events company Director, Michael Watson due to the outbreak of Covid- 19 and the slow return of large scale and pop-up events for 2021, Watson took the time to evaluate his decade run business and desires for the future and sort an opportunity to not only continue with the runnings of Wats On Events but to see his life-long dream of a permanent venue come to life.
With the go big or go home mentality at the forefront of many past business decisions, Watson, with the support of Stapleton saw an opportunity with the large, event and restaurant space to create a multifaceted, family friendly venue.
“We envisage a revitalised space that is both pleasing to the eye and approachable. Whilst making use of the pre-existing bones, the space will be transformed into a bright, fresh, sophisticated, yet comfortable and relaxed venue.
We want to create a venue that caters to the diverse crowds that frequent The Entertainment Quarter but more importantly create a brand and offering that holds its own and will hopefully become the ‘new local’, the perfect place for a meal with the family, drinks with your mates or a place to celebrate your next special event.” Michael Watson & Danny Stapleton, Co-Founders, Watson’s.
With the renovations already underway the revitalised venue will make use of the two-storey interior with a stunning makeover of the main bar and dining on level one and spacious re-design of the event and function space on level two. The new, uncluttered interior will leave plenty of space for people coming together, ideal for a casual catch up, cater to those businesses and offices at Entertainment Quarter, or a long lunch with friends and family – whilst being about to welcome the masses pre and post-match at the SCG and the highly anticipated SFS scheduled for reopening in 2022 not to mention the return of live concerts and events to the Hordern Pavilion.
Guy Pahor, CEO of The Entertainment Quarter “We are thrilled to welcome a new pub and event space to the Entertainment Quarter, and the team at Watsons are producing something truly exceptional. The team at Watsons are creating a space that is perfect for families, the businesses around EQ and our millions of guests that enjoy the fun at The Entertainment Quarter each year. We can’t wait to awaken such an iconic venue inside the Entertainment Quarter precinct, and give new life to our community here in Moore Park.”
The contemporary interiors will flow out to the sprawling beer garden and two spacious timber clad decks, shaded by fairy-lit Moreton Bay Fig trees, monuments of the Moore Park precinct. Offering ample seating and dining options inside and out, whilst providing spaces to view the numerous big screens and al fresco mega screen for sporting enthusiasts.
At its core, Watson’s will offer everything you would expect from your local pub, home to modern Australian traditional pub food, classics with a few delicious twists. A solid wine and cocktail list and a vast selection of craft, international and Australian beers on tap available from the main bar and a smaller selection of refreshing tipples from the outdoor bar. That coupled with first-class service, a TAB, numerous big screens and a 4 metre mega screen, there will be few ways you’d rather spend your lunch break, weekend or evening than with a drink in hand at Watson’s.
Whether you are popping in for a mid-week feed, after work drinks, or catching all the sporting action pre or post- match or after a relaxing weekend lunch in the sun-drenched beer garden on the elevated decks, Watson’s will tick all the boxes for both locals and visitors to the precinct.
The new kid on the block, which will quickly become an Eastern Suburbs institution and the pulse of The Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park.
For further information and to keep an eye on the transformation follow @watsonseq. Watson’s is located at 1 Bent Street, Moore Park within The Entertainment Quarter.
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