At 23 years old, ANU graduate Tom Hertel is the co-owner of Honkytonks, Canberra’s newest bar and the undeniable chatter of the Capital. Tom combined forces with Sasha Trpkovski, owner of Hippo Bar and Laurence Kain, former manager of Trinity Bar to throw open the doors to a large welcoming party of well-excited Canberrans two weeks ago.
If this guy’s entrepreneurial skills seem a little audacious and entirely enviable, it’s because they are. Ditching an exclusive graduate gig with EMI music in Sydney, Tom returned to Canberra at the beginning of this year to chase his long-held aspiration of opening a bar in his hometown. However, beneath the romanticism of this dream-chasing venture has been the cost-saving reality of moving back in with his parents in order to oversee the transformation of the old site of Mama’s Trattoria into a workable bar. This six- month-long outfitting endeavour can be best described as an unpaid labour of home-grown love. Not only did Tom undertake the immense DIY task of revamping the pre-existing kitchen, the bar top has been constructed from recycled timber from a Newcastle wharf and the tables have been handcrafted from the flotsam of wooden crates that collect in Civic alleyways. Aesthetically, the bar pays homage to some of Canberra’s most talented creative types, including a spectacular feature wall emblazoned with magnificent butterflies of swirling golden, earthen hues injected with vibrant blues and reds – the incredible artistry of ANU Art School graduate, Lisa Tea.
Having shaken and stirred cocktails since he was 18 at various local hotspots including Hippo, Trinity and Knightsbridge Penthouse, Tom’s veteran status within the Canberra bar scene dispels any scepticism that might otherwise be associated with his youth. Aiming to establish a “vibrant, uplifting, colourful venue” that appeals to an eclectic patronage, Honkytonks’s vibe is one which echoes the youthful exuberance of Tom’s own story. He is the guy that jagged the gold to take a punt on a dream. The place resonates with his vitality and enthusiasm as he flutters between patrons serving them up an especially delicious combination of quality beverages, wickedly tasty food and excellent banter. As for the Garema Place location? It was chosen for its ability to generate a “European street party vibe”, an ambience Tom believes “you can’t create in any other location in Canberra.” As dusk befalls Garema Place, Honkytonks certainly appears to have hit the mark. It injects a pulsating energy into the urban grunge of the street as people spill into the alfresco area to revel in sangria-infused summery nights. Given its capacity to host outdoor DJ sets and live bands, Honkytonks is set to become an institution this summer. For now, Tom’s gregarious nature remains key to Honkytonks’s effervescence, despite months of minimal sleep and the scarcity of days off. It is, after all, all in the pursuit of the dream.
