The state government released its recovery roadmap Friday and Stage 1 begins Saturday May 16 when dining in is allowed at restaurants, pubs, clubs, RSLs and cafes for up to 20 patrons at one time in the Outback as part of a gradual re-opening.

Since the pandemic shut down clubs and pubs, the Mount Isa Irish Club has been operating as take-away and accommodation only.and has had to let go over 100 staff, many of whom have picked up jobs at the mines taking temperatures.

Club general manager Bernard Gillic said it is not yet economic for the club to reopen under Stage 1 conditions as it would be uneconomic to reopen for sittings of just 20 people.

"There will be no immediate impact for us, unfortunately," Mr Gillic said.

"We will probably do something when stage 2 restrictions are lifted as it might be worth opening when we can have up to 50 people in our restaurant.

"We have can sit up to 150 people in the restaurant, that's a lot of floor space for just 50 people."

Mr Gillic said it has been "the most unreal time" in his time at the Club.

"The Club is still here and those who are still here are busy, there is a lot of paperwork for the government, and we are remodelling the gym downstairs," he said.

"We've still got our bottle shop open, our little shop across the road and our accommodation complex and we provide meals for people in accommodation and take-away."

Mr Gillic believes mid July is the most likely timeframe when people can just come in for a beer at the bar.

"As soon as you can sit down for a pint of Guinness, we'll see you here," he said.

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