QHA-Review_July_digital

INSIGHTS
“THESE DAYS, THE HOTEL IS DEEPLY CONNECTED TO STATE OF ORIGIN, WITH ALL OF
QUEENSLAND’S GAMES BEING PLAYED AT SUNCORP STADIUM.
“Our very loyal locals, fondly known as ‘the bar flies’,
are a regular mainstay of the hotel’s business. They
really present the venue more as a social sporting club
than a public house.
“Food is a very important component to The Caxton,
as we serve staple pub classics from our Café kitchen
and our Char Grill Steak Restaurant. Both have been
award winners multiple times at the QHA Awards for
Excellence, which we are really proud of,” she said.
Of course, the hotel has a rich history with rugby
league in Queensland, dating all the way back to
150 years ago, when its owner, Steve Farquhar, won
several first-grade premierships with Eastern Suburbs
Rugby League Club and played several games for
Queensland prior to it becoming the State of Origin
series.
The Caxton was previously built in 1876 on the other
side of the iconic Caxton Street, which was then called
Government Road. After a fire consumed the hotel
beyond repair, the building was rebuilt in 1884 on its
current site and has been a local favourite ever since.
Kathy said the original building has been refurbished
several times with major upgrades to the iconic
Cauldron Bar and Restaurant areas, all of which were
undertaken by the Farquhar family in 2007 and 2010.
“The Caxton means an awful lot to the Farquhar family,
as they have been operating the hotel for 26 years. As
Ross often says, ‘you think we’d know how to operate
it by now’.
“These days, the hotel is deeply connected to State
of Origin, with all of Queensland’s games being played
at Suncorp Stadium. We also have a wonderful
relationship with the Brisbane Broncos, as many past
players are among our regulars,” she said.
Along with its lasting tradition of staying family owned
and operated, The Caxton has also maintained its
reputation as a true ‘sportspersons’ hotel. Even from
its early days of operation, the venue has brought
a multitude of sporting activities to visitors – from
rowing clubs, to boxing matches, to its most infamous
relationship with Rugby League.
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