The Queens Head Hotel is gearing up for one of its biggest trading days in years as North Hobart prepares to host the Tasmania Football Club’s first-ever VFL game, with the historic pub at the centre of an expected surge in foot traffic, spending and atmosphere.
Located along the busy Elizabeth Street strip and just a short walk from North Hobart Oval, the Queens Head is ideally positioned to capitalise on a sellout crowd (11,000 fans) tipped to flood the precinct before and after Saturday’s match.
Owner Nick Sallmann (pictured above) said anticipation had been building all week as staff, stock and specials were ramped up for the influx of fans.
“It’s a lot. You just never know how many people are going to be around, (but) we know that we’re in a key position for the foot traffic that heads down to the oval. So we’re very excited about that,” he said.
“We know a lot of our local patrons are very excited about that because half the fun is not just watching the game. It’s before and after the game, so we know we’re on the march.”
The economic upside extends beyond a single venue. North Hobart’s hospitality sector is already a major driver of activity in the area, accounting for nearly half of the precinct’s retail floorspace.
North Hobart Oval, the spiritual home of Tasmanian football, will host the Tasmania Football Club's first VFL game this Saturday.
In 2023, the strip recorded $80.6 million in retail spending, including $53.1 million on dining and entertainment alone, with 64 per cent of that spend coming from outside the Hobart local government area.
Saturday’s match is expected to amplify those figures, as thousands of supporters descend on the strip for what is being billed as an historic occasion for Tasmanian football.
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To meet demand, the Queens Head is increasing staffing levels and preparing for a full day of trade.
“Events like this are fantastic for us… so we’ll probably increase our staff by a good 10 to 20 per cent for the weekend,” Mr Sallmann said.
“We’ve got 10,000 people just up the road that’ll be probably walking to and from.”
Tasmania Football Club chief executive Brendon Gale said the match would showcase not just the team, but the broader North Hobart precinct and its businesses.
“Well, we’re incredibly excited because we’ve got a footy game this weekend at a historic venue in North Hobart Oval,” Mr Gale said.
“We get the chance to showcase our football team. We get a chance to showcase this great city. We get a chance to showcase this incredible precinct.
“We’re expecting the crowd to be a sellout.”
Tasmania Football Club Chief Executive Officer Brendon Gale at the Queens Head Hotel.
Mr Gale encouraged fans to embrace the full match day experience by supporting local venues.
“Come here, come to this precinct, grab a bite, have a drink, enjoy each other’s company, celebrate, be part of this great historic occasion, get to the game, get your seat and have a great time,” he said.
For Sallmann and other traders, the game represents more than just a busy Saturday — it’s a sign of what regular fixtures could deliver.
“This whole Elizabeth strip in North Hobart, we know will get activated… and they just can’t wait for the reason to come together,” he said.
Hobart Lord Mayor Councillor Anna Reynolds urged fans attending the game to make a day of it either before or after the match – or both – in the famous restaurant strip.
“Maybe have some lunch beforehand or celebrations and drinks afterwards but this is a really great opportunity for the North Hobart traders who are getting ready for the big day,” Cr Reynolds said.
“We've got a lot of venues here, so there's a lot of diversity, everything from pubs and cafes to different types of restaurants. So I think there'll be a lot of excitement."
With more VFL games slated for this year and coming seasons, North Hobart’s hospitality businesses may be on the cusp of a sustained economic uplift — starting with a packed pub and a lively street this weekend.
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