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Quay to Close Feb. 14, 2026 After 37 Years as Australian Venue Co. Takes Site

Owners describe a fine dining model under strain from rising costs, labour intensity, weak inbound tourism, shifting tastes.

Overview

  • Executive chef Peter Gilmore will oversee the finale and described leading Quay as the honour of his career.
  • Australian Venue Co. will take over the Overseas Passenger Terminal lease, with the Quay name excluded and a new brand expected.
  • Quay will trade Tuesday to Sunday from 5:30pm through its final service, offering a Quay Experience menu from January 1 with the snow egg returning.
  • Leon Fink and Gilmore point to lagging overseas visitors once estimated at 40% of diners, higher food prices, wage pressures and the labour‑intensive format as key pressures.
  • Under Gilmore, Quay held Three Hats for 23 consecutive years and underwent a $4 million redesign in 2018, and the chef plans to be a free agent when his contract ends in June.