Coyote's Roadhouse opening sparks line dancing boom on the Sunshine Coast
Hallmark Hospitality
- Coyote's Roadhouse, a new country and western saloon in Maroochydore, has been hosting free line dancing classes twice a week since opening in late September, drawing capacity crowds each session.
- The classes are run by local group Neon Boots, founded by Elspeth Eeles, which has grown to around 500 dancers aged between eight and 80 since launching in April.
- Eeles attributes part of the classes' success to being held in a lively hospitality venue rather than a traditional dance hall, creating a broader social experience that encourages people to connect and return.
- Hallmark Hospitality director Cade Hopman said the venue was purpose-built for line dancing, adding that Neon Boots brought a ready-made community with them from opening day.
- Free classes run every Wednesday from 7pm to 9pm and every Saturday from 4pm to 6pm, catering to both beginners and improvers at Coyote's Roadhouse, 12-20 Ocean Street, Maroochydore.
Line dancing has taken off at Maroochydore’s new country and western saloon, Coyote’s Roadhouse, with capacity crowds turning up to dance at its free classes twice a week since the venue opened in late September.
Sunshine Coast line dancing group Neon Boots runs the sessions, and founder Elspeth Eeles said the response to the classes has been overwhelming.
“There is no doubt that country music has taken hold on the Sunshine Coast. The recent Strummingbird festival drew another huge crowd while nationally, country streaming has more than doubled in three years, according to Spotify data published by the Country Music Association of Australia.
“We launched Neon Boots in April this year and we have grown to around 500 dancers who range in age from eight to 80.
“We’ve been amazed by how popular the classes have been. Every week there are new faces on the floor, and so many of them are trying line dancing for the very first time and they are having a great time,” Ms Eeles said.
“Rather than dancing in a private hall or dedicated dance venue, we’re bringing these classes to a lively venue with great music, atmosphere, food, drinks and a wider social experience. It creates a completely different feel and gives people a reason to stay, connect and keep coming back.
“Watching people build connections and confidence is incredibly rewarding, and a large part of that is due to the opportunity Coyote’s Roadhouse gave us.”
Hallmark Hospitality director Cade Hopman said the classes were exactly what the venue was built for.
“Line dancing is now popping up at venues across the Coast, and Coyote’s was built to be its home. We wanted a dance floor that would actually be used, so seeing it full of people of all ages and abilities dancing and having fun is exactly what we’d hoped for.”
“People want a night out that’s social and fun, and there’s no better place for it than a proper country saloon,” Mr Hopman said.
“Elspeth and the Neon Boots crew have brought a real community with them, they were with us on day one and we’re proud to continue that relationship and back a local business.”
The free classes run every Wednesday from 7pm to 9pm and every Saturday from 4pm to 6pm. Each one pairs beginner and improver lessons with open freestyle time on the dance floor, and beginners are welcome. Coyote’s Roadhouse is open seven days from 11am at 12-20 Ocean Street, Maroochydore, with two live music stages and a mechanical bucking bull.
About us:
About Neon Boots
Neon Boots is a Sunshine Coast line dancing community founded in April 2026 by Elspeth “Ellie” Eeles, who has more than 30 years of dance experience. Its beginner-friendly classes mix classic country favourites with today’s pop, rock and R&B hits, and has grown to around 500 dancers aged from eight to 80. Neon Boots runs weekly classes across the Sunshine Coast, from its Foundations sessions for absolute beginners to its Good Vibes beginner and improver classes. It also runs free weekly sessions at Coyote’s Roadhouse in Maroochydore and has its own performance crew. https://neonboots.com.au | https://www.instagram.com/neonboots_linedance/
About Hallmark Hospitality
Hallmark Hospitality is one of South East Queensland's most regarded privately owned hospitality venue operators. Hallmark Hospitality’s previous portfolio has included Lefty’s Music Hall on Caxton Street and The Lord Alfred Hotel, along with Finn McCool’s Irish Bar, Hey Chica and Retro’s Nightclub in Brisbane; Finn McCool’s Irish Bar, Retro’s Nightclub and Sandbar on the Gold Coast; and The Spotted Cow Hotel in Toowoomba. The group’s newest additions include Gas Hound Bar & Kitchen in Newstead, Pop World Nightclub in Fortitude Valley and Foxy Malone’s Irish Pub in Mooloolaba. In September this year Hallmark Hospitality opened their latest venue, Coyote’s Roadhouse within the designated Ocean Street entertainment precinct in Maroochydore. https://hallmarkhospitality.com.au
Contact details:
Millana Ayache
0499 072 922
