By Tania Phillips
The smell of a pig on a spit slowly roasting and the sounds of two rocking bands – the Darling Downs Hotel – AKA the Sandy Creek Pub is the place to be on 7 November.
“We have a young fellow by the name of Rhys O’Neill and his band and another band called the Bricklayers – they’ll be playing for about four hours between them and we’ll probably have a pig on the spit the same night,” pub owner-operator Kevin Kiley said.
It’s all part of Kevin’s plan to provide live music at the pub each month and one of the many innovations local farmers Kevin and his wife Karen have introduced since taking over the historic pub in 2017.
The Kiley’s have been steadily working towards making the rustic and iconic old pub the centre of attention at Allen and beyond.
Already loved by locals and visitors alike, the pub has been given a new lease on life and now with Covid restrictions slowly receding and spring in full bloom they are working to make the old pub and their one-of-a-kind beer garden, even more attractive.
“We’ve been working pretty feverishly on the gardens – making them nice and green,” Kev quipped.
“Our parmie nights on Thursday nights have been going really well and so have the pizza nights on Sunday night.”
The Kiley’s have also introduced the ever popular “Jag-the-joker” on Fridays which has been up around the $3,000 mark in recent weeks.
And of course, it’s coming up to Christmas party time of year now and with some Covid restrictions still applying Kev is urging people to book in and enjoy the rustic charm of the pub.
“It’s not too bad here because we have good outdoor space,” he said.
“There is a camping area and people come out to go into that area. We’ve got the kids area out side with the jumping castle and a few chooks running around. It is without a doubt a great place for a Christmas party.
“We’ve always got the courtesy bus available as well. It usually runs on a Friday-Saturday and special events and special events includes Christmas parties.
“If you wanted to have it on a Thursday we could arrange the courtesy bus as long as its not for one or two.”
Kev said despite the Covid situation things have been really buzzing along at the Sandy Creek pub.
“Its been really good – Stan our cook’s been really busy – for the past seven week’s he’s probably been averaging 150 meals per weekend which is pretty good for a little pub.
“We’re trying our hardest to breathe new life into our little pub. We’re still getting the campers coming through – mainly Qld campers at the moment but we’re hoping for a few more interstate ones once they relax a few more laws.”
The Sandy Creek Pub is at 345 Sandy Creek Road, Allan. Call Kevin and Karen on 4661 3413 and pay a visit online at www.darlingdownshotel.com.au.
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