AN employee’s fanciful suggestion has snowballed into an unlikely marketing bullseye for the Renmark Hotel.
The pub’s recently renamed Mick Molloy Bar has generated enormous interest via the eponymous honouree’s popular AFL show, The Front Bar, which screens weekly on the Seven Network.
“It started after Mick was complaining that he didn’t have a bar named after him,” said Renmark Hotel operations manager, Jarrod Loxton.
“A staff member, Anthony Mason, suggested we call our sports bar after Mick, and it’s just rolled from there.”
The hotel pitched the idea to Molloy and the well-known comedian and TV/radio personality agreed.
Since the renamed bar was unveiled, The Front Bar has featured the Renmark Hotel several times, including last week, when Molloy and fellow co-hosts Andy Maher and Sam Pang devoted several minutes to the local community pub.
Mr Loxton described the response as “amazing”.
“It’s been the Mick Molloy Bar for about six weeks now and The Front Bar are running with it big time,” Mr Loxton said.
“Tourists have been coming in taking photos and it’s generated heaps of interest.
“It’s been a good talking point and it’s been great for tourism during what’s traditionally a quieter period for hospitality.”
At Molloy’s request, a special burger – The Humdinger – was created to sell at the bar, while another burger is set to be officially unveiled on the show tonight.
The bar’s moniker will remain in place until after AFL grand final day, scheduled for late September.
“We’ve got some exciting plans for the grand final week episode,” Mr Loxton said.
As part of the promotion, special Mick Molloy Bar stubby holders and shirts are on sale at the hotel, with all profits going to the MS (multiple sclerosis) Society.