The revitalised Jubilee Hotel’s ambition to become “the clubhouse for rugby in Brisbane” has been elevated by a partnership with the Queensland Rugby Union.
Publican Mark ‘Trunk’ Lassman said it was definitely the right time to be part of “the reinvigoration of Queensland rugby” with positive moves on the field and off it.
“What we want to do is bring back that clubhouse environment where you can watch games of rugby surrounded by fans with a common interest and knowledge of the game,” Lassman said.
“The second-best thing to watching a big game live is being in a room with people watching it who are into their rugby, the socialising and the atmosphere.
“That’s how I like to be watching a Reds or Wallabies game.
“We want the front bar to become ‘The Clubhouse’ and the home of rugby in Brisbane. There’ll also be Sunday specials for rugby players and I’m talking club players, men and women, as well as representative players.”
The $200 million makeover of the heritage-listed site in Fortitude Valley has transformed “The Jube” into Queensland’s best redeveloped hotel as judged by the Queensland Hotels Assocation for 2023.
An office block, a new bistro and dining area, a micro-brewery and a major refit are only part of the reimagined site brought to new life by the Tony Burnett Hotels team.
Lassman knows the power of rugby. He was publican at the Normanby Hotel in 2011 when James Horwill and his team arrived, with trophy in hand, to celebrate the winning of the Super Rugby final.
The Jubilee is steeped in rugby history. Former publican Chris “Buddha” Handy was a Wallaby and a larger-than-life character who made it a rugby hub.
On the first weekend that Super Rugby took the game professional in 1996, there was a huge crowd to watch on TV when the Queensland Reds launched against the Otago Highlanders in Dunedin.
More than once, Handy made it his mission to make sure the hospitality was overflowing for the XXXX Push-Up Boys, who once did waves of push-ups for every point scored by the Reds.
Both Lassman and Burnett are rugby dads who know the enjoyable environment the code can foster.
“I love the old-style hotels. What you get with The Jube is both...a wonderful new hotel and the atmosphere of the heritage-listed hotel retained within it,” Lassman said.
“We want to be part of what will be a great period for rugby with the British and Irish Lions touring next year and the World Cups ahead for men and women.”
For the QRU, the opportunity to align themselves with a venue which is truly invested in rugby was extremely appealing.
“We’re thrilled to be working with Tony, Trunk and the Jubilee Hotel, and to celebrate each sharing a genuine love of the game,” QRU Chief Executive David Hanham said.
“The Jubilee Hotel boasts an outstanding range of function spaces which will be ideal for public and private QRU events, as well as an excellent restaurant with a great dining experience, and is one of the most beautifully furbished venues in the country.
“The Jubilee Hotel is a stone’s throw away from Ballymore and truly loved by rugby fans from different generations. We’re so pleased to welcome ‘The Jube’ to our suite of commercial partners and are excited to introduce our business network to this exceptional venue.”
