With a menu with nothing over $26, a charming homey mood and a place for conversation, you'll feel like you're at a friend's house at this new hidden gem.
Roll up, roll up! Introducing The Showman’s Bar and Café, one of the newest bars and cafés to hit Geelong. It truly is a hidden gem like no other.
Prepare to be amazed as you stumble upon this hidden secret nestled just beyond Gate 2 of the Geelong Showgrounds – you really wouldn’t expect it.
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The brainchild of the local Marquee Guy and his wife, Ashley and Mandy, this funky little spot is a rustic and cheeky gem that promises to tantalise even the most fickle taste buds with its mouth-watering home-cooked meals, reasonably priced menu, and a rotating list of dinner, breakfast, and lunch specials.
Housed in a charming blue shed, as soon as you step into the enchanting world of The Showman’s Bar and Café, you’re greeted with warmth, encouraging you to indulge in its true rustic charm.
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Drawn to the quirky site, the venue originally started as a humble spot for campers arriving on the Spirit of Tasmania, providing travellers access to comfort food as affordable prices. With good food, good drinks and music humming, the hidden spot quickly became a local sensation as word spread about this culinary haven, attracting folks from all over who have made the pilgrimage to the showgrounds specifically for the friendly vibes and home-cooked meals.
Operating for breakfast, lunch and dinner, they’ll have your taste buds in a frenzy as you make your way through the menu. For breakfast and lunch, 9am-4pm, there’s classics like an egg and bacon roll, the Showman’s Breakfast (just $18), the Reuben with corned beef, and the beloved Eggs Benedict.
It’s dinner (5:30pm – 8:30pm) where the Showman’s Bar and Cafe really shines, with entrees like onion rings and Maple mustard chicken ribs with bacon jam, and mains like pan-fried salmon, slow-cooked lamb shank, sticky chilli caramel pork belly, and the traditional roast beef. Most importantly, you’ll also find a classic parmi, and a Showman’s spicy fried chicken burger.
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For dessert, try to choose between the mouth-watering bread-and-butter pudding, or the warming sticky date pudding with toffee sauce and ice cream.
There’s also a rotating list of specials which differs from breakfast and lunch to dinner, but you can look forward to a variety of tasty options regardless of the time. The most recent specials list includes a drool-worthy soup, pina colada hotcakes, creamy pesto tagliatelle, apple pie with rum and raisin ice cream, and more. Regardless of the special, we guarantee you’ll be impressed, making your meal choice that much harder every time.
And did we mention the price? A parmi here is just $24, as is the flash fried calamari, while traditional roast beef and the burger is just $22. All desserts are just $10, and starters don’t exceed $15. If you’re feeling the pinch – and aren’t we all – this place should be on your list.
As wonderful as all of this sounds, there is one catch – The Showman’s Bar and Café is only open on Thursdays and Fridays for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
This is the place to be. And to make things even better, dogs are welcome, so be sure to bring your furry friend along to Geelong’s longest all-day breakfast (9 am-4 pm) – they really are ticking all the boxes.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, drinks, dessert and a dog-friendly space. Honestly, what more could you want?
The Showman’s Bar and Café is located at Gate 2/79 Breakwater Road, Breakwater and open Thursday & Friday, 9 am – 9 pm.
