Cairns’ original laneway bar re-opens under new name and creative concept


Live entertainment and arts, a constantly evolving drinks menu and hearty American fare will tickle the senses when Laneway Green opens its doors in Cairns this week.

Located on Mulgrave Road in Westcourt, the new bar occupies the space where The Paddock restaurant and Harvest bar famously started the laneway trend in Cairns in 2016.



It's the brainchild of Matthew Bonasia, founder of the Cairns Bartenders network, which he says will be front and centre.

“Cairns’ Bartenders was created to better connect the local bar industry and today it is the largest hospitality network of its kind in Far North Queensland,” he said.

“My passion is to create a fun and vibing venue, with drink-focussed events that will be a nexus for the hospitality industry.”

He says the fluid drinks menu will enable experimentation.

“Our adventurous drinks menu will constantly evolve and will have the flexibility to change as often as creativity presents itself.

“I’m excited to experiment and prepare ingredients for flavour-driven cocktails.

“Of course, your favourite classics will be made upon request and beer and wine will feature different varietals and styles from around the world,” he said.

It’s not all about the drinks, though.

Dallas and Misty Grieves of Yankee Ds Bar NQ will be serving their multiple award winning, classic American-style street food and Carli Willis of GOAT Productions will bring music and arts events.

Ms Willis says she’s focused on providing a platform for local artists to exhibit in a way Cairns hasn’t seen before.

“Matthew has a passion for the hospitality industry but also an intention to build a stronger cultural epicentre in Cairns,” she said.

“GOAT has always aimed to diversify music culture in Cairns and the Far North, shatter industry paradigms and provide encouragement to up-and-coming artists.

“In a creatively fluent space and in collaboration with our community, we believe we can achieve these goals.”

An invitation-only opening night will be held tomorrow and it will be bottoms up for the general public from Thursday.

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