From its humble beginnings on Macrossan Street to becoming a beloved Port Douglas institution, Salsa Bar & Grill has officially turned 30, and the milestone was celebrated in true Salsa style with a spectacular ‘Angels and Devils’ themed night at the Sugar Wharf.

Reflecting on three incredible decades, co-owner Rhys Bawden said reaching 30 years in hospitality was both humbling and a testament to the team's hard work and community spirit.

"Thirty years of Salsa is humbling for us, honestly, business is hard," he said.

"Managing teams, keeping up expectations, and delivering consistently year after year is hard. 

“But with hard work comes rewards. Being able to support our community and to be supported by our community is incredible.”

The Salsa journey has been marked by big risks and bold moves, including relocating to Wharf Street, back when the site was little more than a collapsing picket fence, and evolving the restaurant space over the years. 

From a courtyard with a pond and makeshift sails for roofing, to major upgrades in 2015 that included a permanent roof and shutters, Salsa’s physical space has changed, but its heart has remained the same.

“Bill’s vision of launching a restaurant that delivered consistently good food, rad cocktails, and fun vibes for everyone still drives us today," Rhys said.

“The ethos of ‘lively food, lively people, lively music’ has been at the core of everything we do.”

“Our staff have always been friendly yet professional, and our menus keep pushing boundaries while staying true to the comfort dishes we all love.

“I mean who can go past a Thai Chicken Spring Roll or Linguini Pepperincino!”

It's the spirit of the people, the atmosphere, and the connection with the community that keeps Salsa thriving.

“We believe in taking care of those who take care of you,” Rhys added.

The 30th birthday bash at Sugar Wharf was a fitting tribute to this legacy, with 320 friends, supporters, and Salsa family members coming together for a night to remember. 

“Celebrating with our community was absolutely incredible,” Rhys said.

“The weather was perfect, the vibes were unreal, and it was such a joy to see so many familiar faces. One of the most special moments was gathering all the past and present staff for a group photo, just amazing.”

The celebrations aren’t stopping there. Salsa has released limited edition “Bringing the vibes since 1995” T-shirts and stubby coolers, available online and at the restaurant. 

“And… we’ve got one more exciting project in the works for 2025, but you’ll have to follow us on socials to be the first to know!”