Sunsets and celebrations at Sails

Words by Lisa Keller

I first stumbled upon Sails by Hemingway’s last year when walking along the boardwalk of Port Douglas Marina. Curious as I am, I found myself unable to control my legs as they climbed the stairs, eager to uncover what lay above the bustling local brewery. What met me was something unlike I had seen in town before.

A bright, beautiful interior, its walls lined with fresh white VJ panelling and the space filled with exquisite cane furniture that all just screamed ‘coastal chic’. But it was the large bi-folding doors that opened up to a beautiful wooden verandah overlooking the shadows of the Daintree Rainforest that really sold me.

As I wandered through, I thought to myself “this would be the perfect place for a wedding!” Six months later, I found myself back for exactly that.

With vows exchanged at the iconic St Mary’s by The Sea, the bride and groom were after a reception venue that reflected them as a couple; warm and inviting with a touch of class, and that’s exactly what they got.

During the day with its tables, chairs and lounges the area was quite spacious. However, on returning and seeing it customised for the event at hand, I realised just how deceptively big it was. Especially once those statement doors were peeled back merging both areas into one, it comfortably fitted the 80-person guest list with plenty of room left for dancing. The bride and groom chose a local acoustic band that perfectly matched the evening's vibe.

Now, if you’re anything like me, your attention (once moved on from the initial interest in the interior) is focused solely on the menu. Food is what can make or break any event and judging by the quality of what was on offer, this little fact is something the team at Sails by Hemingway’s is well aware of.

The couple opted for a cocktail-style menu and when a delightful selection of canapes began to be passed around the room, a murmur of approval could be heard throughout. On that, a special mention has to be made to the staff whose experience and friendly smiles helped to make the night a memorable one in the best possible way. Even the bride said they were easy, professional and accommodating from the get-go, and we all know how hard brides can be to please!

A quick chat with some locals in the know informed me that the menu at Hemingway’s has steadily evolved over the years and isn’t just the standard pub fare you might expect from a brewery.

In fact, a bespoke menu can be created for every event held at Sails, offering a personalised point of difference.

As the day turned into night and the sun began to take cover behind the mountains, the changing colour of the sky grabbed everyone’s attention. Watching the sunset is a favourite pastime in Port Douglas and Sails has one of the best views of this daily magic. As shades of pink and gold danced through the clouds above us, I noticed that I wasn’t the only one that paused mid-conversation just to take it all in.

As the clock approached midnight, I took the time to savour the final moments of the refreshing sea breeze, and I couldn’t help but feel that Sails is more than just another venue. It’s a place the locals love and for all the right reasons — a versatile, vibrant space that’s perfect for any event. It might be something as luxurious as a wedding but even something smaller like a private family get together or birthday would be perfect.