Essendon’s Andrew Welsh opens The Quay to Docklands

Twenty four year old Andrew Welsh, Essendon's hard running defender, has embarked on a new venture outside his beloved Bombers and has opened The Quay Bar and Brasserie at NewQuay Docklands, with three close friends and his father, Graham.

Joining a considerable list of football stars branching off into bar and hospitality ventures, Welsh has created a modern, contemporary bar and restaurant only metres from the Bombers' home ground at Telstra Dome.

With Welsh's football connections and a spectacular view over the harbour, The Quay is bound to be one of Melbourne's hottest spots this summer.

"We fell in love with NewQuay Docklands as soon as we saw it. We are confident that with the residential and business developments it will soon be busier than ever down there" said Welsh. "We are looking forward to watch The Quay grow in the coming years."

Not one to shy away from hard work, in the past few weeks Welsh has frequently been helping out behind the bar and around the venue during the football off season, ahead of his pre-season regime which begins this month.

The Quay boasts a full bar and restaurant menu of contemporary Australian dishes and serves complementing cocktails and basic drinks as well as a wide range of beers on tap.

Smooth, earthy tones highlight the progressive décor of the venue, which is licensed for 670 punters and flaunts a fantastic function room and beer garden that overlooks the bobbing yachts on the harbour water.

Welsh has also seconded the help of famous Essendon musos, the Baker Boys, to travel into town from the suburbs to strum out covers to the late Friday and Saturday night crowd. An acoustic duo will also be a regular presence on Sunday afternoons to create a relaxed vibe down on the waters edge.

New Years Eve events will be released in the coming weeks, and a grand opening is scheduled for January 2008.

For bookings contact 03 9670 1133.