It’s can be a hard task finding a decent cup of coffee in Fortitude Valley after 3:00 pm. At night, it’s next to impossible. For years, hospitality workers, commuters and revellers with a case of the yawns have had to rely on 7/11 coffee or, heavens forbid, a cup of instant brew to get through a night. If anyone knows the pain of getting a cup of jolt juice after dark, it’s Luke ‘Boo’ Johnston and Cat Clarke. As veterans of the music scene – as tour manager and guitar technician, and publicist, respectively – there’s no doubt been times when a much-needed post-gig pick-me-up was nowhere to be found. Now, as co-owners of live-music institution The Zoo and punk-leaning cocktail spot Stranded, alongside fellow co-owner Shane Chidgzey, they’re in a position to fill the gap in the Fortitude Valley market – but they’re not content just slinging coffee. It’s best to consider the trio’s new concept Booze as resource for nighttime essentials, or what the team describes as, “cool shit, delish shit and hot shit.” Think of it as a Room of Requirement in the heart of The Valley offering everything from takeaway grog and gourmet snacks to oven-fresh pizza, barista-brewed coffee and even vinyl records.

Booze’s slender Winn Street space – formerly home to beloved independent music retailer and gear repairer Tym Guitars – has been converted into a handy honey hole. The crew has given the site a moody makeover, with a timber and concrete aesthetic accented by painted black walls and a humming neon sign at the entry. As you enter, you’ll spy a coffee machine dedicated to pouring caffeine from Melbourne’s Roasting Warehouse, which will come as a godsend for sleep deprived bartenders and punters. Beyond that sits shelves laden with high-end hooch – think spirits from craft distillers and mainstream labels – and an assortment of Australian natural and organic wines (from the likes of Jauma, Sven Joshcke, Dormilona, Koerner and Dr Edge, to name a few) and sake. Chilled wines and beers can be found in the fridges or cold room at the rear. The Booze team, eager to pay homage to the site’s musical roots, is stocking a selection of band merchandise and vinyl records from an eclectic range of local and international artists. The store is also selling music-inspired alcohol from Built To Spill, including a collaborative wines from groups like The Chats (a wild-ferment goon made with Delinquente Wine Co.), DZ Deathrays (a sparkling crafted with Blind Corner) and The Jungle Giants (a rosé whipped up in partnership with Xavier Wine). Good to know – Booze is a drink-in bottle shop, so you can tuck into your purchase on site. The Zoopreme Pizzeria upstairs is also keeping the oven hot for takeaways from Wednesday to Sunday until 10:00 pm at the earliest, with a QR code allowing for easy ordering of Zoopreme’s margherita, Pepperoadie, Zavage Garden, Cheeses Stole My Girlfriend and Chicken Zoopreme pizzas, among others. 

Booze is now open to the public – head to the Stumble Guide for operating hours and other important details.