Whisky Boy Noosa Closed – Best Alternative Bars and Distilleries Nearby

For nearly ten years, Whisky Boy Noosa – sometimes written as Whiskey Boy Noosa – was one of the most popular Gympie Terrace Noosaville restaurants. It combined chargrilled steaks, fresh seafood, and a whisky selection that grew from 30 whiskey bottles to more than 75, becoming a riverside hub for locals and visitors alike. Anniversaries, birthdays, and casual nights out often found their way to Whisky Boy, where the atmosphere struck the right balance between lively and relaxed.

With a 4.4 TripAdvisor rating from 300+ reviews, Whisky Boy Noosa steak nights became legendary, making it one of the top 10 restaurants in Noosa. The venue was also praised for offering approachable modern Australian dishes and its growing whisky bar. From the beginning, it stood out among Noosa bars as more than just the whiskey bar – it was a true dining destination.

whiskey in a clear glass with ice

The bar opened in 2015 and quickly became a top spot in Noosaville, offering a wide selection of over 75 whisky varieties, cocktails, gins, and innovative dishes.. The Whisky Boy menu often highlights pairings like Tomahawk steak with a glass of Colonel and the Merchant Shiraz 2017, or whisky flights featuring bottles such as Master of Malt Buffalo Trace and Limeburners Infinity Solera Cask.

The People Behind Whisky Boy

Whisky Boy photos often showed smiling faces of co-owners Chef Geoffroy Marcq and host Jimmy Talve (nicknamed by some locals as Jimmy Whisky). Marcq, with French training as both a chef and pastry chef, brought refinement to the kitchen, while Talve curated the bar experience and a warm front-of-house welcome. Locals often referred to them informally as “boy and co,” celebrating their partnership.

Concept and Atmosphere

The atmosphere was welcoming and unpretentious, a riverside hub where guests could enjoy anything from a Tomahawk steak to a simple whisky flight. Staff were known for helping newcomers understand how to order scotch at a bar, making whisky approachable rather than intimidating.

Over the years, the whisky list expanded beyond small-batch SM whisky to global bottles, reflecting the rise of modern whiskey culture in Australia. Alongside whisky, diners could explore cocktails, gins, or local wines.

For food, the menu highlighted chargrilled beef cooked over volcanic rock – many considered it the benchmark for steak Noosa. Seasonal seafood, like the daily local catch, balanced the heavier grill dishes, earning Whisky Boy a reputation as one of the best restaurants Noosaville.

The venue also offered takeaway from 4 pm on selected nights, with family-style meals for four at a set price. This made it a popular option for groups seeking the best takeaway Noosa, alongside casual local favourites with long lines, such as those checking Rice Boi hours.

Desserts & Drinks

Desserts gave the menu a playful finish. Standouts included the Ferrero Rocher parfait, poached pear tart, and Gypsy doughnuts with whisky ice cream. These indulgent dishes would not have been out of place on the Butter and Scotch menu in Brooklyn, but here they carried Noosa’s laid-back coastal style.

Wine lovers found much to enjoy as well. Alongside classics, the bar often featured niche bottles, such as the Colonel and the Merchant Shiraz 2017, while whisky fans could explore labels like Master of Malt Buffalo Trace or small-batch Australian expressions, like Limeburners Infinity Solera Cask.

At a Glance

  • Opened: 2015
  • Specialties: Chargrilled steaks, seafood, whisky flights, cocktails
  • Whisky Selection: Grew from 30 to 75+ whiskies over the years
  • Owners: Chef Geoffroy Marcq & host Jimmy Talve (Jimmy Whisky)

⭐ Rating: 4.4/5 – Remembered as one of Noosa’s best riverside dining and whisky spots

whiskey glass wooden table close-up

Closure and Legacy

In May 2025, the venue permanently closed due to the redevelopment of its site at 203 Gympie Terrace. Its closure left many regulars wondering where to go next for the same mix of great food, whisky, cocktails, and welcoming service.

Though gone, Whisky Boy is still remembered fondly. Locals compared it to iconic menus such as The Ville restaurant menu in Townsville or coastal dining spots like Cootharaba Bar and Bistro, yet agreed it had no true rival in Noosaville. Today, when people search for a booking Noosaville, Whisky Boy often still comes up as a nostalgic reference.

Its story is also a reminder that Noosa’s dining scene is dynamic, with everything from relaxed happy hour Noosa bars to polished grill houses shaping the area’s identity. Whisky Boy’s grill boy image, its whisky culture, and its riverside charm live on in local memory, menus, and photographs.

5 Alternatives to Whisky Boy Noosa

While nothing can replace the exact riverside charm of Whisky Boy, several venues in Noosa now stand out as strong alternatives. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed wine bar, a lively cocktail lounge, or a distillery experience with local character, these options deliver the same sense of quality and community.

M u s e Noosa

With a 4.9 Google rating, m u s e Noosa is a local favourite on Arcadia Street that blends cocktails, wine, and live music. The atmosphere is community-driven, much like Whisky Boy’s welcoming vibe. Guests can explore both classic varietals and adventurous grapes such as Grüner Veltliner or Chenin Blanc.

M u s e Noosa

Hours & Info

  • Wed–Thu: 3 pm – 10 pm
  • Fri: 1 pm – late
  • Sat–Sun: 7:30 am – late
  • Location: Shop 5/1 Arcadia Street, Noosa Heads QLD 4567
  • Phone: (07) 5474 9367 | Email: [email protected]

⭐ Rating: 4.9/5 – A must for wine lovers seeking the warmth of an actual community bar.

Noosa Heads Distillery – Whisky, Gin & Vodka

As the Sunshine Coast’s first craft distillery, Noosa Heads Distillery has become a hotspot for whisky, gin, and vodka lovers. With a 4.1 Google rating, it offers gin paddles, small-batch whisky, and cocktails in an industrial-chic setting. The Reuben sandwich and fish and chips are food favourites, while its use of solar energy and local barley make it a sustainable choice.

Noosa Heads Distillery

Hours & Info

  • Fri: 4 pm – late
  • Sat–Sun: 12 pm – late
  • Location: 19 Venture Drive, Noosaville QLD 4566
  • Phone: (07) 5455 6128 | Email: [email protected]

⭐ Rating: 4.1/5 – A must-visit for craft spirit lovers with a strong local ethos.

Theo’s Social Club – Wine, Food & Community

With a 4.9 Google rating, Theo’s Social Club in Noosa Junction has quickly become a local favourite. Its founders created a neighbourhood bar where guests come for wine and food but stay for the sense of community. The menu reflects Noosa’s local flavours, while Gabby Smith’s hospitality makes every visit personal.

Theo’s Social Club

Hours & Info

  • Thu: 4 pm – late
  • Fri: 3 pm – late
  • Sat–Sun: 2 pm – late
  • Mon: 4 pm – late
  • Location: Shop 2A/14 Sunshine Beach Rd, Noosa Heads QLD 4567
  • Phone: 0404 492 309 | Email: [email protected]

⭐ Rating: 4.9/5 – A neighbourhood gem for food, wine, and conversation.

Yorkers Bar – Cocktails, Food & Live Music

With a 5.0 Google rating, Yorkers Bar is a standout in Noosa Junction, offering cocktails, live music, and a speakeasy-style lounge. It captures the lively energy that Whiskey Boy regulars once loved, with creative bites like Wagyu tacos and oysters.

Yorkers Bar

Hours & Info

  • Fri–Sun: 9 pm – late
  • Location: 5 Sunshine Beach Rd, Noosa Heads QLD 4567
  • Phone: 0447 809 849 | Email: [email protected]

⭐ Rating: 5.0/5 – A vibrant cocktail hub with hidden lounge appeal.

Seabourne Distillery – Born by the Sea

With a 5.0 Google rating, Seabourne Distillery reflects Noosa’s coastal spirit. Founded by Hayden Weir, its gin range includes Coastal Dry and Berry Blush. Visitors describe it as deeply tied to Noosa’s landscape and culture, offering both modern craftsmanship and sustainable values.

Seabourne Distillery

Hours & Info

  • Open daily until 8 pm
  • Location: 9 Rene St, Noosaville QLD 4566
  • Phone: 0435 410 514 | Email: [email protected]

⭐ Rating: 5.0/5 – A craft distillery with Noosa’s coastal soul in every bottle.

While Whisky Boy is gone, Noosa’s dining and drinking scene remains vibrant. From the wine-driven charm of Muse and Theo’s, to the spirits of Noosa Heads and Seabourne, or the cocktail buzz of Yorkers, there are still plenty of reasons to explore Noosa bars. Each of these venues reflects the same values that made Whisky Boy iconic: quality food, creative drinks, and welcoming hospitality.

Disclaimer: All the bars and distilleries mentioned here are based on public information and customer reviews at the time of writing. We don’t run these venues, we’re not affiliated with them, and we don’t provide hospitality services ourselves. If you’re planning a visit, always confirm directly with the venue for current menus, happy hour Noosa times, and availability.