Siren Bar and Restaurant has gone into liquidation. Photo: Supplied.
Gungahlin locals have woken to news that their local watering hole, Siren Bar and Restaurant, has entered liquidation.
A notice was pinned to the bar’s front door stating Slaven Torline had been appointed liquidator and that the company behind the bar, Gungahlin Restaurant and Bar Pty Ltd, would be wound up.
“The company has ceased trading and the premises is now closed,” the notice read.
But a handwritten note affixed to one window indicated it was closed only until further notice “due to maintenance”.
The accommodation atop the bar is owned by Abode and so hasn’t been impacted by the liquidation.
Community stalwart John Mikita shared his disbelief that the bar would be no more.
“Gungahlin has a few local institutions we all know and love, and sadly, we’ve just lost one of them,” he said.
“Dan and his fantastic team have been the local watering hole for so many of us for more than 15 years, so seeing the signs up … saying it has ceased trading will be a real shock to a lot of people.
“It’s genuinely sad to watch long-standing small businesses disappear like this.”
A handwritten note suggested Siren Bar was only closed because of maintenance works. Photo: Supplied.
Others expressed their concern that the bar had been accepting bookings and payment for events on the day it went into liquidation.
“Very interesting we paid upfront for valentines dinner $180 and now tickets etc have disappeared?” one person wrote on social media.
“Very sorry for the staff who are waiting to be paid! They only found out [on 11 February] in a group chat. Not hopeful for them,” wrote another.
Siren Bar was opened by Dan Gaul in 2011.
It was known for its monthly themed nights, live entertainment and creative cocktails.
It won the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) ACT Hospitality and Tourism Awards’ Best Pub Eatery award in 2021.
As of this morning, its website and Instagram pages were active, but its Facebook page has been deleted.
Region contacted both Dan Gaul and Slaven Torline for comment.
Original Article published by Claire Fenwicke on Region Canberra.
