Disappointing Qantas Club Experience

[UP4014]

Until "normality" resumes a lounge is a bonus, if you have only a lounge pass only use after the bar is open.

As for the food court, ok the food is better but better for some maybe free food. So the lounge food serves a purpose for those who don't want to pay airport prices.

 

[Ade]

(* have not used since covid and understand the spice bar has been repurposed somewhat for general served offerings)

I have not accessed QF J lounge in MEL for a while now, but, re-purposing the Spice Bar makes me sad. I have had some really good meals from the Spice Bar. I wish they still serve some of their amazing dishes.

Do we know what is it now repurposed as ? Anyone who had a chance to visit the QF J lounge in MEL?

 

[Ade]

My observation has been that it is very dependent on how many people they have rostered on. One person can be ok when it's just coffee, but midday clicks past and that one person is now doing bar and coffee.

Similar scenes at CBR J lounge as well. There is usually one person who does drinks (until mid-day the drink is coffee/tea) and then doubles up as the barkeep as well post 12 PM.

I have seen & is guilty of asking if the "bar service from 12 PM" is set in stone. and 9/10 times the barista (barkeep) was kind enough to get me a beer/wine when it's NOT 12 PM yet

I sometimes FIFO CBR from SYD for a meeting or two and when you are done for the day, say, by 11:30 AM - you are free to treat yourself to a cold one

 

[aikman]

I have not accessed QF J lounge in MEL for a while now, but, re-purposing the Spice Bar makes me sad. I have had some really good meals from the Spice Bar. I wish they still serve some of their amazing dishes.

Do we know what is it now repurposed as ? Anyone who had a chance to visit the QF J lounge in MEL?

The bar serves the two hot menu options for the day, usually a soup and some other dish, still Asian inspired from memory.

 

[Ade]

The bar serves the two hot menu options for the day, usually a soup and some other dish, still Asian inspired from memory.

Ah ! that's good. Thank you

 

[jakeseven7]

I have not accessed QF J lounge in MEL for a while now, but, re-purposing the Spice Bar makes me sad. I have had some really good meals from the Spice Bar. I wish they still serve some of their amazing dishes.

Do we know what is it now repurposed as ? Anyone who had a chance to visit the QF J lounge in MEL?

Loads of times! Honestly I think the plated food options in the MEL lounge are even better and generously proportioned. They seem to have kept some of the Spice bar theme in the dishes too.

 

[flyingfan]

Do we know what is it now repurposed as ? Anyone who had a chance to visit the QF J lounge in MEL?

My several visits in past weeks have yielded dishes like beef bourguignon and pumpkin soup at the Spice Bar. I haven’t seen decent Asian dishes there since I resumed flying.

 

[jakeseven7]

My several visits in past weeks have yielded dishes like beef bourguignon and pumpkin soup at the Spice Bar. I haven’t seen decent Asian dishes there since I resumed flying.

Weird I’ve seen heaps and think I’ve been about 16 times since it reopened. Bad luck!

 

[Mrsfefe]

I was in the Adelaide QP last week and the bread rolls with the soup were almost inedible they were so stale. It shouldn't be that hard to have a reasonably fresh bread roll.

I then went into the Melbourne QP and thought I'd have a roll to compare and it was fresh and edible. The only issue was I picked up some cutlery and there were two supposedly clean knives that hadn't been cleaned properly.

The other weird thing is you can't serve yourself drinks in Melbourne or Adelaide because of Covid but you can in Hobart

And Darwin

 

[dylarr]

I have not accessed QF J lounge in MEL for a while now, but, re-purposing the Spice Bar makes me sad. I have had some really good meals from the Spice Bar. I wish they still serve some of their amazing dishes.

Do we know what is it now repurposed as ? Anyone who had a chance to visit the QF J lounge in MEL?

Actually I have some good news here! Qantas posted on its Insta story just the other day that the Spice Bar in MEL had (or was about to) re-open!

Anyone been in there the last couple of days who can confirm?

 

[jakeseven7]

Actually I have some good news here! Qantas posted on its Insta story just the other day that the Spice Bar in MEL had (or was about to) re-open!

Anyone been in there the last couple of days who can confirm?

I can check on Sunday

 

[sudoer]

My several visits in past weeks have yielded dishes like beef bourguignon and pumpkin soup at the Spice Bar. I haven’t seen decent Asian dishes there since I resumed flying.

My experience matches yours over 6 afternoon/evening visits in 6 months.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I have seen & is guilty of asking if the "bar service from 12 PM" is set in stone. and 9/10 times the barista (barkeep) was kind enough to get me a beer/wine when it's NOT 12 PM yet

Ooooo, hopefully that person does not get into strife for this "ahem" indiscretion.

 

[Ade]

Ooooo, hopefully that person does not get into strife for this "ahem" indiscretion.

I sincerely hope not. Otherwise how can he "help" us next time Just Kidding

 

[Virgin Bart]

Confirmed. Spice Bar was open yesterday. A real treat with Chicken Laksa or veg dumplings. Both delicious and served by the delightful Indonesian chap (not sure the grumpy Aussie chap)

 

[justinbrett]

MEL must be about the only QP still open

 

[jakeseven7]

MEL must be about the only QP still open

Yes both Sydney lounges closed yesterday in line with the lockdown which was awful timing for us as we had a business meeting lined up in one of them. So inconvenient

 

[Ade]

Yes both Sydney lounges closed yesterday in line with the lockdown which was awful timing for us as we had a business meeting lined up in one of them. So inconvenient

Are the QF meeting/conference rooms still operating? From memory, one could book them in advance for a certain period of time.

 

[jakeseven7]

Are the QF meeting/conference rooms still operating? From memory, one could book them in advance for a certain period of time.

I’m sorry I didn’t check. We had the big wigs meet briefly in a deserted gate lounge instead. Desperate times...

 

[oz_mark]

Are the QF meeting/conference rooms still operating? From memory, one could book them in advance for a certain period of time.

Effective 6 December 2020, all Qantas meeting rooms have permanently closed.