A small but growing number of the region’s pubs and clubs are choosing a “new look” to put more emphasis on creating a family friendly atmosphere.
Jessica Huddart bought the 114-year-old Mapleton Public House in June last year but has since ditched its six “vintage” poker machines.
She made the move to improve the venue’s connection and overall vibe.
In March she ripped out the machines, sold the gaming licences and had them destroyed.
While it was a business decision for the long-time Mapleton local, it was also a personal one.
“The idea of gambling doesn’t really align with my personal values,” she said.
“I’ve seen it destroy some lives that were pretty close to me and it’s just something I don’t want to support or enable.
“I think that pokies in particular are such an isolating form of gambling … it is just you and the screen and you are not interacting with anyone in that exchange. I find them very antisocial.”
Another venue going against the grain is Nambour’s Club Hotel Namba.
Co-director Josh Allen said that since officially opening the revamped historic pub with Paul Harley in January, there were plans for accommodation “eventually” but not for gaming in the venue.
Mr Allen said he believed there was a negative stigma attached to the gambling “world”.
“I won’t speak on behalf of everyone, but from what I’ve seen in the past, the pokie machines are usually tucked away in a room in an establishment,” he said.
“They encourage people to be secretive and to go to these venues for the wrong reasons.
“It essentially takes people away from human contact and speaking over a nice meal and a couple of drinks face-to-face.”
It comes after the new owners of Joe’s Waterhole at Eumundi, which is undergoing redevelopment, sold its gaming licences for close to $5 million.
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At Ms Huddart’s Mapleton hotel, the machines were located within the bar area and close to the dining area where they “really interfered with the experience”.
“It feels really good to get rid of them, the space feels so much more open,” she said.
“I’ve got couches and a lamp, some bar tables and stools where they were – and it’s much more of a space for congregation.
“My vision is to create a more family friendly atmosphere.
“I’m not so worried about kids near the machines now who may try and look at the machines and wonder what they are.”
She said the patrons’ reactions had been “overwhelmingly positive”.
“On the day that the news was announced, I remember one particular call where a woman wanted to book a table for her and her husband,” she said.
“She ended up bursting into tears because it was going to be the first lunch that they’d be able to have together where he didn’t disappear to play the pokies. She was just really grateful that we’d done that.”
Ms Haddart said since taking over, new live entertainment was being introduced into the pub and they also had a strong focus on creating an amazing menu offering.
“I own a regenerative farm about 3km down the road from the pub called the Falls Farm, growing market vegetables and fruit,” she said.
“What I’ve wanted to do is then bring that food into the pub, partnered with a fantastic chef.”
Last year, the Falls Farm took out best producer in Australia in the Delicious Producer awards by winning the From the Earth category.
Meanwhile, Mr Allen said not having the machines created a more friendly-family experience, which is what the team set out to achieve when they opened.
“That’s exactly what we’ll continue doing as we move forward too,” he said.
“Our goal is providing a quality, family-friendly, safe and customer-focused establishment.”
Their customers appear to be backing the hotel’s move.
“All the feedback we have received so far has been good,” he said.
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“The people who’ve come in haven’t expected there to be a games room, and it’s not a deal-breaker for those who do, either.
“Once they walk in, they witness the vibe and experience the place. You don’t need pokie machines to enhance that experience and vibe.”
The new Matso’s Brewery is the next venue to follow suit, with its owners selling off the acquired pokie machine licences for similar reasons.
The new venue will stand where Joe’s Waterhole once did in the heart of Eumundi.
Good drinks head of hospitality Lee Behan said the local community was on board with their decision for the new pub to be a pokie-free zone, once completed.
“The reaction from the locals has been really positive … they understand that we’re trying to create a venue that’s welcoming for everyone,” he said.
“We are about offering beautiful food along with nice beer in a family-friendly environment.
“Now it will be a place where you can have dinner and a drink with no noise of a pokie machine going off the background. It feels really good.”
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