New floating bar and restaurant to set sail in Brunswick Heads

A NEW floating bar and restaurant is set to begin cruising the river at Brunswick Heads this November.

Whale-watching operator Dean Fuchs, from Out of the Blue Adventures, and his partner Helen Caruana are excited to launch their new venture aboard the MV Jasmine after purchasing Brunswick Heads Eco Cruises and refurbishing the vessel.

“I’m a girl who likes to have oysters and champagne on a boat and when I’d go out fishing or adventuring with him it would always be one of the things we’d joke about,” Caruana said. “When the business came up for sale, I thought we could do something special.”

The 18-metre vessel is being outfitted by Brisbane-based boat builders Commercial Marine Australia and will feature a top-level open-air deck with a retractable canvas rooftop, a marble wrap-around bar, and booth seating.

A commercial kitchen is also being installed to support its focus on food by catering and events company Maria’s.

Caruana said the couple plan to collaborate with local restaurants such as The Hut and Mullumbimby Continental for a series of summer pop-up events, and team up with local businesses like Flo Records to provide music.

The MV Jasmine will offer weekly sunset, lunch and brunch cruises departing from Brunswick Heads Boat Harbour and will also be available for private events and functions, accommodating up to 70 passengers.

But it will not operate as a party boat, with the owners declining bookings for bucks’ parties and similar events.