Local legends
Local legend pubs
Rodeos and festivals are big nights, but some of our favourite shows happen right here at home, in the Townsville pubs that keep live country music going week in, week out. Here are the local legends we play, a bit of their history, and what's on.
Real photo
No. 01Townsville CBD
The Herbert HotelSturt Street, Townsville
- Where
- 102 Sturt Street, Townsville City QLD 4810, on the corner of Sturt and Stokes Streets, a few minutes' walk from Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
A bit of history
The Herbert dates back to 1875, when it opened as the Court House hotel. Charles Wyatt, an old Ravenswood goldfield mail contractor, was licensee from 1887 until his death in 1904, one of the longest-serving publicans in Townsville's history. His son-in-law John Fitzpatrick later took over and renamed it the Herbert. These days it's independent and family-owned: brother and sister Paul and Kim Venturato run it, and it's been in the family since 1986.
Why it's a local legend
In its own words, a "laid-back old school pub" in the heart of the city, still family-run after nearly four decades, with a gig guide of local acts most weeks and a regular Townsville Folk Club night.
What's on
A monthly gig guide of local bands and solo acts, with the TSV Folk Club on Thursdays. Check the hotel's What's On page for this month.
Featured · Herbert Hotel
The Cold Beer & Country Music Show
After a run of sold-out Herbert nights, we wanted to step it up a notch and put on a proper show. The Cold Beer & Country Music Show was a one-off, custom concert night at the Herbert on Saturday 1 August 2026: doors at 6.30pm, show at 7pm, running until 11pm.
The full five-piece played (Laurence Sorbello on vocals and acoustic guitar, Steve Sparrow on banjo and lead guitar, Katisha Adelaide on fiddle, Nick Gray on drums, and Brendan Marolla on keyboards and sound), with concert-grade sound, programmed lighting and video. It was presented by our major sponsor, Barra Solar Power Townsville, and was our hometown warm-up a week before we headlined the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo on 7 and 8 August.
- When
- Sat 1 August 2026 · doors 6.30pm · show 7pm–11pm
- Lineup
- The full five-piece, with concert-grade sound, lights and video
Real photoNo. 02Bohle, Townsville
Bohle Barn TavernBruce Highway, Bohle
- Where
- Bruce Highway, corner of Shaw Road, Bohle (via Townsville) QLD 4818, on Townsville's northern outskirts.
A bit of history
"The Barn" has been run by local family business Lillywhite Hotel Group, Reg and Ann Lillywhite's company, since they bought it in May 1988. The group added the vacant land next door in 1990 and gave the Barn a major refurbishment and extension through 2018.
Why it's a local legend
A highway pub that's been a Townsville fixture for decades, and in the venue's own words "still a favourite for the locals and travellers alike", priding itself on "country hospitality". There's a bistro with a smoker chef slow-cooking meats, a beer garden with a 3 m × 2 m big screen, 12 motel rooms, and a bus to every Cowboys home game.
What's on
Bistro meals and weekly specials, live sport on the big screens and in the beer garden, TAB and Keno, and the Cowboys home-game bus. Function packages are available too.
Real photoNo. 03Burdell, Townsville
North Shore TavernMain Street, Burdell
- Where
- 37 Main Street, Burdell QLD 4818, in the North Shore community on Townsville's northern side.
Why it's a local legend
It calls itself "the North Shore's community tavern", a neighbourhood pub at the heart of the award-winning North Shore community. It says it supports a wide range of local sporting teams and community groups, and serves its neighbourhood.
What's on
Entertainment seven days. Sunday Sessions run 2–5pm with live country and blues from Townsville and FNQ performers in the beer garden. There's karaoke on Tuesdays from 8pm, trivia, meat-tray raffles, UFC and live sport on what it calls Townsville's largest sports screen, and an outdoor stage in the beer garden.
Fast facts
- Beer garden: 80 seated, 80–100 standing, with an outdoor stage and a 4.5 m sports screen.
- Sunday Sessions spotlight "some of Townsville and FNQ's most talented performers".
FAQ
Pub night questions, answered
Where can I see live country music in Townsville?
Local pubs are a great place to start. The Herbert Hotel in the CBD runs a regular gig guide, the North Shore Tavern in Burdell has Sunday Sessions of live country and blues from 2–5pm, and we play the Herbert, Bohle Barn and North Shore.
What was the Cold Beer & Country Music Show?
A one-off, ticketed concert night we put on at the Herbert Hotel on Saturday 1 August 2026, with the full five-piece band and concert-grade production, a week before we headlined the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo.
How old is the Herbert Hotel?
It dates back to 1875, when it opened as the Court House hotel, and it's been family-run by the Venturatos since 1986.
Where is the Bohle Barn?
On the Bruce Highway at the corner of Shaw Road, Bohle, on Townsville's northern outskirts. Lillywhite Hotel Group has owned it since 1988.
When are the North Shore Tavern's Sunday Sessions?
Every Sunday from 2pm to 5pm in the beer garden, with live country and blues from local and FNQ performers.
Can a five-piece band with full production fit in a pub?
Yes. We scale the show to the room, from a relaxed pub set to a full concert night like the one at the Herbert, with our own sound, lights and video.
How do I book The Barnyard Band for my pub or venue?
Pick your date and venue in our homepage price tool for an instant estimate, or email laurence@thebarnyardband.com.
Booking a band for your pub?
From a big Saturday night to a one-off ticketed concert like our Cold Beer & Country Music Show, we bring the five-piece band, the 18,000 W PA, lights and video. Pick your date and venue for an instant estimate.