The new owners have big plans for the iconic site, including a restaurant and events space emulating the vibe of ALMA and Felix, and a casual family-friendly alternative.
Wherever Jesse Hughes, Sarah Horsburgh, and Matt and Amelia Baird go, good times seem to follow. ALMA, a contemporary South American shared-style restaurant, came first in 2017, gifting Geelong a decadent dining experience.
In 2021, the team opened Felix – a remarkable and elegant new restaurant building on their winning formula of a distinguished menu, edgy styling and exceptional service.
Keep up with the latest food and booze news across the region here.
In short, the team understands hospitality and the importance of quality experiences very, very well. Together they’re hoping to bring plenty of both to Geelong’s iconic Barwon Edge Boathouse, a gorgeous hidden treasure on the river banks of the Barwon River that they – and pretty much every other local – have an affinity with.
Loved by many, the community was rocked back in May when the owners of the Barwon Edge Boathouse announced they were closing its doors, 17 and a half years after opening.
Little did we know, the Felix and ALMA team had other (huge and exciting) plans, now officially announcing they have taken the reins of the much loved and iconic site at Barwon Edge.
“After admiring the beauty of the site at Barwon Edge for many years, we feel incredibly privileged to have a chance to operate there and call it our new home,” the team shared.
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With a flair for creating outrageously beautiful spaces, the team will oversee some exciting changes, with the venue undergoing a string of renovations over the next few months.
Slated to reopen in September, the venue will include two incredible offerings. The first will be a restaurant and event space in the main building. Guaranteed to be refined, timeless and beautiful in every sense of the word, you can expect to see a similar vibe and atmosphere to their lauded restaurants ALMA and Felix.
The second offering sees the team expand into new territories, with the venue delivering a more casual and family-friendly alternative. Creating a more relaxed but no less impressive eatery, complete with a cafe, this will be the place to go for relaxed catch-ups with your friends and family; or when you’re looking to tick the boxes for kid-friendly dining while providing a pleasant outing for parents too. Think great, authentic food with as little fuss as possible.
“We feel privileged to have the chance to operate such a much loved and iconic site in Geelong and are really excited for people to see the renovation and what we have in store.”
If you can’t wait until September, the good news is the coffee window will be opening very soon in the mornings so neighbours and anyone else keen to keep a close eye on the space can pop in, say hi and keep up to date with the team’s progress.
Renowned for their elevated dining experiences, the ALMA and Felix team are ushering in an impressive new era for the Barwon Edge Boathouse. Prepare to discover a brand-new calming and welcoming haven on the banks of the Barwon River.
Keep up to date with the latest updates on socials or visit www.barwonedge.com.au for more information.
