Spotlight on… Tieri Bar & Grill

Your name & role: Mark Keyvette Bernardo

How long have you been managing the venue: Since April 2026 

Locations serviced: Tieri and the region

How can we follow you: facebook.com/tieribarandgrill

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background in hospitality?
I’ve been working in the hospitality industry since 2009; I studied a Bachelor of Science Business Administration, majoring in Management. Throughout my career I’ve developed experience in customer service, food and beverage operations, team leadership, and creating memorable guest experiences. 

I started managing my first restaurant (Shakey’s Philippines Asian Venture Incorporation) at the age of 24 years old in my hometown in the Philippines. In 2018, I migrated to Australia and worked in Canberra managing an Asian fusion restaurant. From there, I went to Moranbah Community Workers Club in December 2022 where I worked as their Bistro Manager for over three years. 

I truly enjoy finding ways to transform venues, whether that’s through better service, creative promotions, or making sure guests feel genuinely welcome from the moment they walk through the door. I feel a sense of pride when I see them return because they’ve had such a positive experience. The best part is seeing people enjoy themselves. Whether it’s families having dinner together, friends catching up over drinks, or someone trying our food for the first time. It’s rewarding knowing we’ve created a place where everyone feels welcome.

When did you start running Tieri Bar & Grill and what attracted you to this opportunity?
I started managing Tieri Bar & Grill on 21 April 2026. I was attracted by the opportunity to give the venue a fresh start. I could see its potential and believed that with the right focus on quality, cleanliness, customer service, and community engagement, it could become a place people would be excited to visit again; a place that the local community could be proud of and enjoy.

What changes have you made since you arrived?
We’ve introduced new menu items and weekly promotions, refreshed our drinks offering, improved cleanliness and presentation throughout the venue, focused on customer service, increased our social media presence, and created events like Ladies Night, Cocktail Night, Coffee & Cake specials, and family activities to encourage more people through the doors.

And what have you kept in place?
We’ve kept the welcoming country pub atmosphere that locals appreciate, while improving the overall experience through better presentation, service, and consistency.

Tell us about the team you have in place.
I’m fortunate to work with a dedicated team that’s willing to learn and improve every day. We have three Chefs: William from Brazil who has been working with ISS for about six months as a Chef and Certified Pastry Chef; Jess from the Philippines is our newly hired Pastry Chef; and New from Thailand who started just last month. She’s been working at a fine dining restaurant in Brisbane for almost three years and has moved to Tieri permanently to be our full time Chef. 

Our Front of House (FOH) team consists of El, Taliesha, Keely and Aiden. El is from NSW and has great expertise in customer service. In addition to working full time FOH, Taliesha (from Rocky) is also a certified Chef and bakes some of our cakes that we serve. Keely and Aiden have both been working at the Bar & Grill for ages. Their knowledge and expertise are a real asset to us.

We support each other, communicate openly, and all share the same goal of providing great food, friendly service, and a positive experience for every customer.

How would you describe the atmosphere you’re trying to create? And how are you going about building it?
I want Tieri Bar & Grill to be warm, friendly, family-oriented, and welcoming to everyone. We’re building that atmosphere by greeting customers personally, maintaining high standards, listening to feedback, and regularly introducing events that bring the community together.

If someone hasn’t visited for a while, what might surprise them?
They’d notice a cleaner, more vibrant venue, new food and drink options, exciting weekly specials, friendly staff, regular events, and a much stronger focus on customer experience to create a welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable. Many returning customers have commented on how different the venue feels.

How can people provide customer feedback and how do you respond?
We encourage feedback in person, through our Facebook page, and through online reviews (we have QR codes provided at the venue). Every piece of feedback is taken seriously because it helps us improve. Positive feedback motivates us, while constructive feedback helps us become even better. We take immediate corrective actions as soon as possible to provide more efficiency and effectiveness for both food and service.

Are there any new menu items or drinks you’re particularly excited about?
We’re excited about our weekly specials, our popular coffee and cake combinations, our new menu varieties, and our growing cocktail selection. We enjoy introducing new reasons for customers to visit throughout the week.

What are your personal recommendations?
I’d recommend our steak or one of our signature burgers, and finishing with coffee and cake. If you’re visiting in the evening, I’d also suggest trying one of our cocktails.

What’s been a crowd favourite so far?
Our coffee and cake combination has been incredibly popular, and our themed nights like Ladies Night have received fantastic support from both locals and visitors. Our Garlic Cob Loaf and Burgers have become the talk of the town. 

How important is it for the bar and grill to be an active part of the local community?
As a venue, we place incredible attention on our community, not just the food and service. It’s extremely important for us because a country venue only succeeds when it’s connected with its community. We want to be more than just somewhere to eat. We want to be a place where people celebrate, catch up with friends, and create memories.

Are you planning any events, live music, quiz nights or family activities?
Absolutely! We’re planning more themed food nights, live entertainment, family events, kids activities, and community-focused events that appeal to people of all ages. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for details.

What are your priorities over the next 6–12 months?
Continuing to improve the menu, grow our customer base, strengthen community relationships, increase repeat business, support the team, and really establish Tieri Bar & Grill as a destination people proactively recommend to others.

What’s your longer-term vision for the venue?
I’d love for Tieri Bar & Grill to become one of the region’s favourite hospitality venues, known for excellent food, outstanding service, exciting events, and genuine country hospitality.

How will you measure success?
Success isn’t just measured by sales. It’s seeing customers return regularly, receiving positive feedback, watching our team grow, and hearing locals recommend us to friends and family.

If you could share a drink and meal with anyone, who would it be and why?
I’d choose my family. Their support has always motivated me, and being able to celebrate the journey together over a good meal would mean more than anything.

What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
I genuinely enjoy creating new ideas and promotions. I love finding creative ways to keep hospitality exciting for both our customers and our team.

If you had just 30 seconds to convince someone who hasn’t visited in years to give the Bar & Grill another chance, what would you say?
I’d say, “Come and see the difference for yourself. We’ve refreshed the venue, introduced exciting food and drink options, improved our service, and created a welcoming atmosphere for everyone. Whether you’re here for a meal, a coffee, or a night out with friends, we’d love the opportunity to show you why so many people are coming back. Give us one visit—I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”