Bistro manager Mirianna Salim and hotel manager Tim Howarth. Photo: Geoff Vivian.
The oldest working pub in this town prides itself on being a useful information service, Pier manager Tim Howarth said.
“If you’re lobbing in a strange community or if you’re passing through and you need advice, best place to go is the front bar,” he said.
“Most of the time if our staff can’t answer the question they’ll go straight to the top corner of the bar and ask the locals and the regulars because they will.
“Whether you need a tyre changing or whatever you need, a place to stay, or a lift somewhere, or just a shoulder to cry on.
“We have backpackers working here and it’s that second family that they thrive off and they love.”
Beside the backpackers, Tim said they hired locals as often as they could.
“On a weekly basis somebody will come in and tell me: ‘Oh, I used to work here 20 years ago’,” he said.
“We’re getting into the point where it’s like a third generation of people starting out work at the Pier.”
The pub prides itself on consistency, according to Tim.
“If you come back in a month’s time, you will get the exact same service, you’ll get the same food, and that is the one thing we promise,” he said.
Extending the consistency theme, Tim said he had introduced regular specials for meals and drinks.
“I wanted to do a $10 spirit and beer of the month,” he said, “and we do $20 lunch meals specials so you’re getting a really good lunch, a good sized portion for 20 bucks.
“We also run the $25 dinner and drink specials, so Monday to Friday no matter what you can get a dinner and a drink for $25.
“Consistency is the motto. Consistency is key.”
