The virtual pub will host up to 1,000 people.
Furphy Refreshing Ale will bring mates back together for a yarn with the launch of its virtual pub on Friday nights.
Furphy Fridays will be open for an hour from 5.30pm AEST every Friday night from April 24 to May 29.
Each Friday, the virtual pub will host up to 1,000 people who will be able to share a beer and a tall tale with some familiar faces around a virtual wooden pub table.
Pubs, bars and clubs are at the heart of communities right across the country.
While they are temporarily closed, Furphy Fridays will give people the chance to revisit the comforting normality of Friday night pub-life.
The inaugural virtual pub experience will be hosted by actor, author, host and comedian Matt Okine, and Australian cricketer Aaron Finch, giving people the chance to experience some of the things we miss most about Australian pubs at the moment.
Each Friday will see a different celebrity bartender drop in to hang out and tell some tall tales.
“While we can’t physically be with our mates to connect and share stories from the working week, this will be the next best thing as we navigate this period of physical distancing,” Furphy brand director Malcolm Eadie says.
“While our favourite pubs and bars are shut, people are forced to enjoy their Friday Furphy remotely in some pretty dull settings. We are stepping in to bring people together for an hour of great stories, pub traditions and entertainment – as we all try to stay digitally connected.”
During the hour, three furphies will be told: one by Matt Okine, one by an audience member, and one by a mystery guest, with pub-goers using the clues behind the bar to try and guess the guest before their identity is revealed.
Another great Aussie pub tradition will also live on through the Furphy Fridays virtual pub, with one lucky guest to win a meat tray each week.
A virtual tip jar will allow patrons to rate their hosts’ hospitality, with contributions going to GIVIT’s COVID-19 relief fund, which Furphy will match dollar-for-dollar.
To complete the virtual pub experience, Furphy will partner with pubs, clubs and bars around the country who have adapted to the times for takeaway sales, giving pub-goers the opportunity to support their local during this difficult time.
Matt Crosthwaite from the Lady Hampshire in Camperdown has partnered with Furphy to offer locals the option of take-away beer sales.
“We want to make sure people remember what an important role pubs play in the Australian way of life. We can’t band together for a beer and a yarn in the front bar at the moment but we can’t wait to welcome you back when the time is right," Crosthwaite says.
“The virtual Furphy pub is here to remind us what awaits us all at the end of this long road. In the meantime, we’ll be here with cold Furphy to enjoy from the comfort of home.”
Venues can register their information on Furphy's website and the brand will connect virtual pub-goers with their local bottle shop.
Pub-goers Australia-wide can also sign up for Furphy Fridays by visiting furphybeer.com.au/furphy-fridays.
Credits
Creative Agency: Akcelo
Media Agency: UM
PR Agency: Liquid Ideas
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Brand Director: Mal Eadie
Brand Manager: Samantha Russo
Assistant Brand Manager: Kayla Dryden
Creative Strategy Director: Kyle Hugall
Media and Comms Manager: Elizabeth Bold
