Some venues work for couples. Some work for solo adventurers. Pomona Distilling Co works for everyone. Especially when you're rolling deep with your crew or the whole family. Tucked into the Noosa Hinterland at the foothills of Mt Cooroora, this distillery, bistro and bar has become the coast's go-to spot for groups who want quality gin, seriously good food, and enough space to spread out.
Heritage style set in the heart of Pomona.
Set in what used to be the original Pomona Bakery 100 years ago, the entire venue's been rebuilt using heritage timbers and reclaimed materials – exposed brickwork, rustic charm, contemporary style blending seamlessly.
Walk through the bistro and suddenly you're overlooking a massive garden arbour sprawling onto lush grassy lawn. Multiple distinct spaces throughout; the Vat Room, an art gallery converted from a shipping container, outdoor tap house, cellar, bar area, and that stunning arbour made from reclaimed timber from a retired local bridge.
Six different event spaces in total. The place can handle intimate gatherings of 20 or celebrations pushing 200. Big tables for groups. Grass area perfect for kids to run around while adults enjoy drinks. This is a venue designed for gathering, sharing, and celebrating.
Let’s talk gin!
Master Distiller and owner Robin Yates has spent 40 years perfecting his craft. Now he's on his Pomona farm experimenting with native botanicals, some foraged straight from the property.
Four signature hand-crafted spirits: Signature Dry Gin, Pink Gin, Butterfly Pea Flower Gin, and Vodka. Beyond that, small-batch blends using native organic botanicals: Lemon Myrtle Gin, Kakadu Plum Gin, Christmas Gin. London Dry vapour infusion style distilling from non-GMO wheat and organic botanicals. Artisan methodology means no mass production, just careful consideration at every step.
Bring your appetite.
Paddock to plate produce, locally sourced. The menu's designed for sharing with large and small share plates, grazing platters, sides. Honest, earthy, simple, fresh. On weekends, the smoked-on-site brisket share plates are consistently raved about. Smoky, tender, packed with flavour.
Korean-style chicken parmis. Burrata and goat cheese entrees. Rib fillet. Barramundi. Plus a kids menu, gluten-free and vegetarian options clearly marked.
The ‘Feed Me’ menu takes the guesswork out for groups. Enjoy a selection of dishes designed to be shared including hits from the offset smoker.
It’s got lazy Sunday sesh written all over it.
Pomona offers a relaxed backyard BBQ feel meets sophisticated hinterland venue, with live music most Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The place buzzes on weekends: conversations flowing, glasses clinking, kids playing on the grass, music setting the vibe. While it’s (surprisingly) large, it maintains intimacy. You can grab a table in the front bistro for quieter meals, post up in the garden bar for sunshine and cold drinks, or settle into the arbour for long lunches with mates.
Local and proud.
Pomona residents finally have exactly what the town needed – a quality venue that showcases the best the hinterland offers while bringing the community together. Local produce on the menu. Native botanicals in the gin. Heritage materials in the building. It's all intentionally rooted in the 4568 postcode.
Groups love it because there's genuine space. You're not crammed into tight quarters. The multiple areas mean you can move around. Start with gin tastings, migrate to the bistro for food, end up in the garden bar for afternoon drinks. The kids can run on the grass while adults enjoy properly crafted cocktails.
Families appreciate the versatility. Kids menu, open lawn areas, welcoming staff. But it's sophisticated enough that couples and adult groups don't feel like they're at a play centre.
The commitment to local matters. Supporting Sunshine Coast farmers, showcasing hinterland botanicals, employing community members, hosting local artists in the gallery space. When you spend money here, it circulates back through the region.
Check ‘em out.
At Blackflag, we celebrate businesses that understand craft, community, and quality without pretension. Pomona Distilling Co ticks every box. Robin Yates could cut corners – mass-produce gin, source cheaper botanicals, rush the aging process. Instead, he's taking 40 years of knowledge and applying it with artisan methodology because the product matters more than the profit margin. That's the mentality we respect.
The Sunshine Coast hinterland deserves venues that match the quality of the coast itself. Pomona Distilling Co delivers. Whether you're planning a big family lunch, organizing a corporate function, celebrating a milestone with a large group, or just want Sunday afternoon drinks with a view of Mt Cooroora – Pomona Distilling Co is the answer.
Links
Facebook (@pomonadistillingco)
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