The Kingston foreshore's got a new sports bar with a nautical theme and a couple of celebrity co-owners.
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Brumbies and Wallabies forwards Scott Fardy and Ben Alexander will be serving up beers in between rugby commitments at The Dock on the foreshore.
The bar opened on December 11 and features a pale-blue mural of Lake Burley Griffin, banquettes with jaunty navy-and-white stripes, and plenty of seafaring touches.
Their fellow owners include brother and sister Glen and Jane Collins, whose family also own The Lighthouse at Belconnen, and Brendan Curtis-Cocks, who has worked with the Collins siblings for six years.
Fardy said he was looking forward to spending time in the bar with his patrons.
"There's a piece of all of us in this project," he said, joking that the tempura oysters and lychee martinis were his contribution to the bar.
Alexander's been learning the ropes to run a business.
It's the first hospitality project for the two rugby players, who signed on five months ago through Alexander's friendship with Glen Collins.
They returned to Canberra from the Wallabies' European tour this week, arriving just as The Dock opened.
Both have trained for their RSA certification and say they'll be working in the bar as their rugby schedules permit.
Jane Collins said the bar already felt lived in despite being just on 24 hours old. "We feel that it's been here for longer than what it has, it doesn't feel new. And we're just really excited to be part of such a great precinct," she said.
There are TVs above the bar and a big screen on one wall showing the games.
Outside, there are shady nautical-themed benches and a separate courtyard for private functions.
Curtis-Cocks said he had been inspired by the sports bars in the United States after spending three months there early this year.
In the kitchen, husband-and-wife duo Jay and Kim Prieto serve up their spin on pub food, with sliders, buffalo wings, pizzas and salads.
Curtis-Cocks said Jay Prieto formerly headed the kitchen at Casellas restaurant in Bunbury, West Australia, which was named best tapas restaurant last year at the state's restaurant and catering awards.