The team behind some of the Illawarra’s favourite food and beverage venues is bringing something exciting to the former Uncle Bok’s site in Wollongong. Photo: Disco Dining Group.
For five years, Papi’s Burgers delivered the “second-best burgers in the 2515” (even if they did say so themselves) from its grungy and beloved dive bar in Thirroul.
Now, about a year and a half after Papi’s closed its doors and broke the hearts of its northern suburbs cult following, its owners have “brought back the OG” – this time in Wollongong.
Disco Dining Group – the team behind Boveda’s in Thirroul and Bar Cabron in Wollongong – have launched Papi’s Social Club at the former Uncle Bok’s site in Crown Street, Wollongong.
“We’ve brought back the OG,” co-owner Barry Pearson says.
The old books that lined the top shelves at Uncle Bok’s have been ditched and low lighting, a gritty poster wall and a mural by a local tattoo artist all contribute to the old Papi’s aesthetic.
The menu features all the Papi’s favourites, headlining their burgers, but with some additions to put the “Club” in Papi’s Social Club, including a club sandwich, hard club soda on tap and bar food.
“We don’t want to stray too far from what we were doing, because we know people love it. We want that same vibe,” Barry says. “The burgers are what earned us a loyal customer base, but we know we can’t come into Wollongong as ‘just another burger joint’.
“Papi’s Social Club is a place to socialise, have a drink and get some yummy food at affordable prices.”
For the project, the Disco Dining dream team of Barry, Andrew Juskiw and Amy Boatwright have brought Bar Cabron manager George Thurley-Hart into the fold as managing director.
While the Group’s other venues are not positioned as casual dining, the look, vibe, fare and prices at Papi’s Social Club will help feed Wollongong’s uni crowd.
Regular burger specials – including the $10 burger nights that brought the crowds into the old Thirroul venue – return and join some new drawcards including “endless happy hour”.
“We have $16 Pornstar and Dirty Martinis all the time, every day,” Barry says.
Papi’s Social Club brings Disco Dining Group’s current venue count to three, not including its catering arm, Cater Boy.
The group has been tapping into the tastebuds of the Illawarra since 2022 when it opened Bar Padres in South Kiama.
Papi’s Social Club is open for dinner seven days and lunch on weekends at shop 1/48-50 Crown Street, Wollongong.
