Why Aussies are furious with this newly built country pub offering $299 memberships
- The Samford Tavern keeps teasing its members
- Local watering hole continues opening delays
- READ MORE: Reason locals whinged about a pub extending its opening hours
It's the pub that's never opened, and now angry locals are demanding action after being teased about the Samford Tavern's opening date for more than a year and forking over thousands of dollars in memberships.
The tavern's Facebook page first posted on December 1, 2024, saying that something 'exciting is brewing in Samford Village'.
'We cannot wait to open our doors and welcome you to your new local. Follow along to stay up to date!' the Facebook post said.
'We're family-owned, passionate about local producers, and can't wait to welcome you.'
Locals snapped up memberships in anticipation of the venue's opening but have been left high and dry in the small village just outside of Brisbane.
A number of people bought 'Season celebrator' memberships worth $299 and 'Homegrown heroes' members have signed up to pay $149 annually.
If the exorbitant prices weren't bad enough, those who forked out the big bucks have been slowly teased about a possible grand opening, but the doors have remained shut.
To celebrate the New Year in 2025, the tavern posted on Facebook saying: 'The Samford Tavern will be opening its doors in 2025 and our team of local legends are so excited to meet you all…Whilst we can't meet you all officially just yet, we're excited to get to know you as much as we can until then.'
Locals are furious after The Samford Tavern has been getting paid nearly $300 memberships despite sitting empty for more than 12 months
Membership has multiple tiers with one level going for $299
The venue has raked in thousands from the memberships but provided no service
In April 2025, it said it was still 'not quite ready to open yet' while a month later it said the venue was 'starting to take shape'.
The tavern was even getting praised after asking for feedback.
'You guys are coming into the market knowing what we want and love and took the time to find that out,' one local wrote on the Facebook page.
'Where do we sign up?' another asked before the tavern Facebook page directed them to its official website.
Then, on September 19, it announced it wouldn't be opening until early 2026.
But those who bought memberships and were waiting for the venue to open learned the pub was listed for sale on November 18 last year.
Some demanded to know if they were going to receive a refund for their memberships.
The tavern's owners Samara Abraham and Gaurav Dhiman said memberships were offered as an 'early adopter incentive for the community' and they have since paused their sale.
Despite being advertised as a tavern, membership prices start at $149
The Samford Tavern has promised a lot but it has yet to deliver
The venue was supposed to open in 2025 but pushed it back to 'early' 2026 but is yet to open
'Anyone who has contacted us with concerns and requested a refund has been responded to with gratitude, and refunds have been processed in a timely manner,' Mr Dhiman said.
The tavern has come under fire for the early membership sales, with locals airing frustrations online.
'So, regarding our membership does it start from when you open as I paid and expected to celebrate my birthday on December 29 at yours? So what happens?' one person asked.
The tavern responded, saying the memberships would start on opening day.
'You want people to invest in memberships, but can't be honest about the delays and setbacks,' another person said online.
On February 9, the tavern's Facebook page said it was 'still working towards bringing the Samford Tavern to life'.
'A lot of the work right now is happening behind the scenes, which can make things look still from the outside,' the post read. 'We'll share more when the time is right.'
A provisional license has been issued to the Samford Tavern according to the Queensland Government liquor and gaming site.
The tavern's website still claims it will open in 'early' 2026. Daily Mail has contacted Samford Tavern for further comment.
