Mermaid Beach Tavern

Paul Kelly Design has reinvented the Mermaid Beach Tavern as one of Queensland’s most sophisticated pubs.

In 1975, McDonald’s introduced its first restaurant in Queensland in the coastal suburb of Mermaid Beach. Closing after nearly two decades of service, the building was remodelled to establish the new Mermaid Beach Tavern. The structure, however, has long since held the distinctive traits of a traditional McDonald’s building. JDA Hotels approached Paul Kelly Design to reinvent the venue and create a brand new identity separate from the building’s past.

Paul Kelly Design envisioned a space with casual sophistication; a premium, yet approachable pub experience.

Rohrig Constructions completed the new refurbishments in August 2021, beginning with a complete redevelopment of the facade featuring an elegant veil of aluminium cladding offering an enticing glimpse inside. Venturing inside, natural sunlight floods in from skylights and a fresh sea breeze floats through the entirety of the building. Natural American Oak timbers, soft coral pink and aqua tiles, and plenty of greenery are at the heart of the new dining and bar spaces. Patreons quickly fell in love with the “classy contemporary look with vibrant greenery, very comfortable stools and a brilliant atmosphere”.

Paul Kelly Design entrusted Identity Furniture to design, build and supply custom furniture including:

• Custom 3-metre long Drybars with an American Oak solid timber surround with a sectional veneer inlay and custom oval-shaped American Oak veneer wrapped legs.

• Inox Tiled Drybars with Earp Bros cement tiles inset into an American Oak tabletop and a cast iron base in a black powdercoated finish.

• Inox Drybars with a solid American Oak tabletop in a light stained finish with an arised edge and cast iron base in a black powdercoated finish.

• Inox Drybars with a slatted Spotted Gum tabletop in an oiled finish and cast iron base in a black powdercoated finish.

• Inox Tables with an American Oak tabletop in a light stained finish with shark nose edge detail and cast iron base in a black powdercoated finish.

• Hawthorn Steel Drybars with an American Oak solid tabletop in a light stained finish with an arised edge and steel frame in a black powdercoated finish.

• Hawthorn Tiled Steel Drybars with Earp Bros cement tiles, epoxy grout, and a zinc-coated steel square section steel frame in a green powdercoated finish.

• Zero Barstools with an upholstered vinyl seat and a zinc-plated steel frame in a black powdercoated finish.

• Zero Barstools with a slatted spotted gum seat with an outdoor oiled finish and zinc-plated steel frame in a black powdercoated finish.

• Blume Low Tables with a black marble tabletop and an extruded aluminium frame in a brass finish.

• Jockey Barchairs with solid American Oak legs with a light timber stained finish, powdercoated foot ring, and upholstered seat pad in Spinnybeck Distressed leather.

• Fender Chairs with a solid European Beech bentwood frame with a light timber stained finish and upholstered seat pad in NSW Leather Laguna.

• Benko Chairs with a solid European Beech bentwood frame with a light timber stained finish, woven cane backrest, and upholstered seat pad in NSW Leather Laguna.

• Babila Stools with a solid European Ash frame with a light timber stained finish, powdercoated steel footrest, and upholstered seat pad in NSW Leather Laguna.

• Xkiti Barchairs with a solid European Ash frame with a light timber stained finish, steel footrest, and upholstered seat pad in NSW Leather Laguna.

• Mambo Barstools with a solid European Beech bentwood frame with a light timber stained finish and upholstered seat pad in NSW Leather Laguna.

• Wellington Stools with a solid European Beech frame with a light timber stained finish.

• Wellington Stools with a solid European Beech frame with a light timber stained finish and upholstered seat pad in NSW Leather Laguna.

• Lambretta Stools with a welded aluminium frame with an olive powdercoated finish and Sunbrella seat cushions.

Designed by Paul Kelly Design

Photography by Scott Shirley