Octopus and the Peach
AS THE FOOD TRUCK trend takes over the Top End, so too do bars on wheels.
Octopus and the Peach is one of the newest boutique bars to hit the streets in town – figuratively that is. The trailer can be hired for private functions and events, catering up to 150 people.
The brains behind the biz Minoushka Hesketh says she was keen to take the leap, starting her own business after more than 20 years working in the hospitality industry as a pastry chef and bar manager. After looking for a bricks and mortar venue, it was a trip to Sydney that gave Hesketh the idea to add wheels to her bar. And it wasn’t long before the perfect vehicle popped up – well, almost perfect.
“I’d seen a few bar vans pop up and thought that’s totally something I could do. I was flicking through Buy Swap and Sell, and this beautiful little horse float popped up in Humpty Doo. We went out there and checked it out and kicked the tyres. This was in the Wet season last year and she was a beauty, standing soaked in the rain. This 38-year-old trailer had been used and loved by many – and it smelt like that, too,” she laughs.
With some help from some friends – and a few old blokes pulled out of retirement – the float got a fresh lease on life as Octopus and the Peach, replacing horse aromas with the tantalising aromatics of a tropical bar.
Hesketh says her team offers a real personalised service – with a dash of Territory flavour...
“We supply the professional bartenders, the beautiful trailer and garnishes, and assist with a customised drinks list and predict the amount clients need to purchase. I wanted to use Darwin flavours with Territory flair – mango daiquiris, lemongrass and ginger mojito – we even do a lychee Tom Collins,” she says.
Thirsty yet? This is a new trend we can get behind!
facebook.com/octopusandthepeach
