One of the first things you notice about the Blue Rock Bar is that it’s neither an Irish pub nor a nightclub; instead it’s a tasteful breath of fresh air for Tuggeranong- a sophisticated and laid back lounge bar.
Opening late last year, owner Chi Demolis says it’s not all solid wood furniture and beer, ‘it’s lounges and cocktails,’ making the lounge bar located in along Tuggeranong’s South Life strip, a much needed up-market relax pad for South Siders.
One of the biggest challenges facing the Blue Rock Bar is getting customers aware of their location. “When people find us here, they are enthusiastic about the idea that we are something different to this area.”
“Because it’s a lounge bar, they like being able to just sit around and have a nice quiet drink on a Sunday afternoon.” Mr Demolis said.
Like many other hospitality business owners in ACT, Chi would love to change the perception of Canberra being just a boring place.
“Canberra has really good night life, culture and really good attractions at local venues. At Blue Rock, our five dollar pint of beer has a huge appeal.”
Being a lounge bar that serves cocktails, the house special is a mix of coffee, chocolate and other liqueurs to create a drink appropriately called ‘Let your hair hang down.’ Named after Blue Rock Bar’s chief bar tender Evie, the cocktail also shares its name with the song by The Easybeats former front man, Stevie Wright in 1974.
Moving back to Canberra after spending some time travelling overseas has helped Mr Demolis in respect of having a vision for the bar.
“It helped me because I don’t have a closed view of what it should be or could be.”
However, he feels it has hindered his perception of Canberra and understanding its politics.
“I didn’t realise that Tuggeranong and Canberra were two separate entities. The north side/ south side thing is bigger than you would think.”
