Shaws Bay Hotel — Restaurant in New South Wales

We were really keen to check out the Shawsy since the reopening for my sister’s 18th birthday lunch. We booked a large table and came as a big family group – kids, parents, siblings, and a few of my sister’s friends (some 17). No one underage was drinking – we were simply there to celebrate our sibling over lunch.

Before we had even ordered, a male staff member approached the younger girls and told them they would have to leave if their biological parents weren’t present. We explained that they weren’t drinking and that there were plenty of responsible adults supervising, but he was adamant that “the laws in NSW” meant they couldn’t be there. We then asked if one day we decided to take our nephews or nieces out for lunch without their parents, would the same rule apply? He said yes – if the venue was made aware that their parents weren’t present, then they would have to go.

This is factually incorrect – NSW liquor laws allow minors to be on licensed premises if accompanied by a responsible adult. When I politely raised this and even offered to show him the official guidelines, he became defensive, rude, and dismissive. He later told my father that someone in our group had called him a slur, which absolutely never happened – an outrageous and false accusation.

When I asked for a manager, she was no better. She dismissed my concerns, contradicted what actually happened (claiming he had only ever said the girls needed wristbands, which is untrue – multiple people at our table heard him repeatedly say they could not be there without their parents), and then shut down the conversation with “are we all good?” It felt like gaslighting from start to finish. We were made to feel like we couldn’t continue to discuss the bigger issue, as we didn’t know wether or not that would lead to them kicking us out of the venue.

In the end, we were made to feel discriminated against, lied to, and treated with disrespect on what was supposed to be a special day for my sister. Instead of an enjoyable family lunch, we were left uncomfortable and upset.

Extremely unprofessional, dismissive, and disappointing service. I would not recommend this venue to anyone wanting a safe, welcoming, family-friendly environment.

On a lighter note, the food was decent- even though we were hesitant to even spend our money here after what we...

After arranging my mother's 80th lunch during the week with lots of correspondence, we arrived to the tables not as requested, specifically so we could all be together and allow for my father's limited mobility. I approached the waitress explaining the agreement made during the week for her to be rude to me. She snapped that she would move the tables together ( as agreed) and then made every one very uncomfortable while moving them with a scowl on her face, then snapped we would be in the walkway now. One of the discussions I had had with the lady during the week was if they couldn't accommodate us ( given the numbers) I understood and would find elsewhere. Her behavior and rudeness would stop anyone in our group returning, which is a shame considering we stayed at the park across the water and will certainly return to it.

Meals were good, play area and sandy area are awesome, disappointing staff can make or break a business and on this occasion the waitress was awful.

On a positive note. there was one cook/chef and a very young girl who were awesome and assisted where...

Being previously an employee at the shawsbay hotel for almost 5 years I was very excited to finally see what the new renovations looked like and well I was not disappointed! Even tho it was sad to see the old place go with all the memories it was needed! Ballina needs a place like this! We had pizza that was up there as one of the best I've had, cocktails were amazing and everything came out fast and done properly. Ginger beers for $13.50 were a bit rich but that's just the world we live in these days everything is expensive. A few locals working in the kitchen and behind the bar but most the staff looked like travellers so it will be interesting to see the consistency of the place. Unfortunately working very briefly with the new owners from Sydney that step on alot of toes I just hope they look after the hard working staff and pull there heads out of there..... and realise Ballina is only a small town and word gets around so please look after good staff because without them you don't have a business. Overall very refreshing venue and hope to see it thriving in...