Cheers to the quirkiest pub on the Sunshine Coast!

Cheers to the quirkiest pub on the Sunshine Coast!

ABOUT US

the quirkiest pub
in Queensland

The Banana Bender Pub is a Sunshine Coast icon, with over 35 years of rich history, this must-visit destination, formerly known as the Ettamogah Pub, stands tall alongside the equally legendary Aussie World theme park, both of which opened in 1989. Here’s our story.

Was the Banana Bender Pub the Ettamogah originally?

Yes, the Banana Bender Pub was the second Ettamogah Pub to be built in Australia, and was opened in 1989 by Queensland’s then Premier Mike Ahern after nine months of construction.

The Ettamogah pub being built
Vintage picture of guests at the Ettamogah

Was the Banana Bender Pub the Ettamogah originally?

The Ettamogah Pub was originally conceived by cartoonist Kenneth ‘Ken’ Maynard who started drawing the iconic building, with its outward leaning walls and bullnose verandah, in 1959. The Ettamogah Mob cartoons, an iconic series of weekly cartoons, were published in The Australasian Post for nearly 50 years until that publication closed in the early 2000s. These cartoons were the inspiration for the building of the Ettamogah Pubs.

When did the Ettamogah Pub change to the Banana Bender Pub?

In 2019 the pub, which can be seen from the Bruce Highway at Palmview just an hour north of Brisbane and 40 minutes south of Noosa, underwent a modern transformation to unveil a vibrant, new, eye-catching Queenslander look and feel. Today, the Banana Bender Pub rises over three levels with a magnificent 500 square meter deck around the front and sides, which creates a unique and tropical vibe. With a welcoming WOW factor, the Banana Bender Pub presents an incredible, colourful space, packed with characters, for families and friends to meet up for cool drinks, great food, and good times with a twist!

Banana Bender exterior with sunset in the background
Wallie Lewis standing with surfing kangaroo statue inside the Banana Bender Pub

What is the Banana Bender Pub best known for?

While never forgetting its Ettamogah roots, the Sunshine Coast’s Banana Bender Pub, offering live music, events, weekly activities and more, showcases a quirky laid-back Queensland charm. Packed with good times with a twist, thanks to its eye catching, must-see, instaworthy, décor and one-of-a-kind memorabilia which is showcased across all three levels of this unique Queensland pub.

You’ll enjoy and smile at the celebrity caricature banana and pineapple heads that adorn the Banana Bender Pub’s walls, live music and events in The Shed, drinks in a sundrenched beer garden, and amazing spaces to gather for parties, celebrations or just catch ups, which include ‘The Verandah’, ‘The Surf Lifesaving Mezz’, ‘The Music Mezz’, ‘The Celebrity Mezz’ and ‘The Marquee’.

From The Den Bar which serves up the coldest brews and killer cocktails, you can ascend to the pub’s summit and discover the most innovative pub food on the Sunshine Coast, created by a team of internationally trained chef’s, at Mango’s Bar & Grill, where you’ll be looked after by our incredibly friendly service team, and experience dishes to dine for!