Bars
Looking forward – our most anticipated restaurant, bar and cafe openings for 2021
Food & Drink

Looking forward – our most anticipated restaurant, bar and cafe openings for 2021

14 Jan 2021

Look, we know it's not going to be particularly hard for this year to be better than 2020, but 2021 is already shaping up to be a benchmark year for Brisbane's food and drink scene. Over the past few months, we've heard whispers of several noteworthy arrivals that will ensure 2021 is a year to remember. From world-renowned croissanteries to new concepts from established local powerhouses, here are some of the restaurant, bar and cafe openings to get excited about this year. more

Bars
Chomp into some crispy goodness at West End's FryDays Bar & Kitchen
Food & Drink

Chomp into some crispy goodness at West End’s FryDays Bar & Kitchen

14 Jan 2021

Apologies to any of you that have sworn off deep-fried foods as part of your New Year's resolutions – this next feature might be testing for your resolve. In mid December, West End's dining scene grew by one with the arrival of FryDays Bar & Kitchen. Occupying a street-front bar space on Boundary Street, this casual eatery and drinking spot is bringing together two of our favourite things – fried chicken and beer. That's not all, though – the FryDays menu bridges eastern and western hemispheres for a varied and malleable offering that's all about evoking that Friday feeling every day of the week. more

Bars
Bottoms up – 20 20 Distillery opens its tasting room in Cooroy
Food & Drink

Bottoms up – 20 20 Distillery opens its tasting room in Cooroy

14 Jan 2021

There's no doubt that the Sunshine Coast is blessed when it comes to drinking destinations – from craft-beer breweries to lively gin distilleries and everything boozy in between. Adding a bit of flavour into the mix is 20 20 Distillery, Cooroy's boutique spirits haven that has just swung open the doors of its tasting room for lovers of libation – whether that be gin, whisky or cold ones. more

Bars
Wynnum's Hudson Brewing brings craft beer to the bay
Food & Drink

Wynnum’s Hudson Brewing brings craft beer to the bay

17 Dec 2020

Although Brisbane's independent craft-brewing scene traces its beginnings to the city's inner precincts, the ensuing years have seen the movement filter outward. These days, craft breweries are popping up in increasing numbers, with many newcomers electing to cater to local communities living in Brisbane's suburban pockets. Hudson Brewing is the latest arrival on Brisbane's burgeoning brew scene, which has set up shop in an out-of-the-way industrial strip in the heart of Wynnum and is already cultivating a strong bayside following. more

Bars
Hospitality powerhouses combine for Fortitude Valley newcomers La Costa Bar and Cielo Rooftop Bar
Food & Drink

Hospitality powerhouses combine for Fortitude Valley newcomers La Costa Bar and Cielo Rooftop Bar

17 Dec 2020

When news spread that the 11th best bar in the world was embarking on a Brisbane expansion, we had to pinch ourselves to ensure we weren't dreaming. In a major boon for Brisbane's nightlife, lauded Sydney bar Maybe Sammy has teamed up with the moguls behind Salt Meats Cheese and Eterna to open La Costa Bar and Cielo Rooftop Bar – two of a promised four venues that look to bring a touch of classic hospitality back to The Valley. Both venues are serving eye-catching (and tongue-tantalising) cocktails created by a crack team of world-class bartenders, a menu of eats evoking the flavours of Liguria and a setting that'll have you thinking you've been transported to Italy’s picturesque coastline and riviera. Here's what you can expect ... more

Bars
Kiki brings spicy cocktails and bougie banh mi to Fish Lane's Town Square
Food & Drink

Kiki brings spicy cocktails and bougie banh mi to Fish Lane’s Town Square

03 Dec 2020

As Fish Lane's Town Square addition nears completion, we're being introduced to more of the precinct's exciting new tenants. Following hot on the heels of the opening of spritz and spuntini joint Bar Brutus comes Kiki – a leafy kiosk that will be slinging craft coffee, punchy cocktails, Asian-inspired street eats and funky wines from Friday December 4. Read on for an advance look at this merry meeting place ... more

Bars
Sass in The City – Comuna Cantina opens its colourful new flagship on Creek Street
Food & Drink

Sass in The City – Comuna Cantina opens its colourful new flagship on Creek Street

03 Dec 2020

When it first sprung up on our radar in 2016, it didn't take long for Comuna Cantina to cement itself in our regular rotation of inner-city party spots. Over the years the brand has expanded far beyond the confines of its neon-lit Albert Street haunt, spreading to the suburbs before making its triumphant return to the bustling CBD this week. Marking the culmination of four years of evolution, the drinking, dining and dancing institution has shimmied and sashayed back into the city spotlight with its colourful new home on Creek Street, serving up scintillating South American-inspired snacks alongside a jaw-dropping selection of cocktails. more

The Locals Next week:

Bars
Bakery Lane pops the cork on newcomer Uh Oh Bottle-O & Wine Bar
Food & Drink

Bakery Lane pops the cork on newcomer Uh Oh Bottle-O & Wine Bar

03 Dec 2020

Bakery Lane is in the midst of a renaissance period, evolving into one of the most popular micro precincts in Fortitude Valley. The recent arrivals of award-winning restaurant Joy and late-night pasta parlour Uh Oh Spaghettio have bolstered the laneway's cadre of eateries, but the laneway's latest arrival is looking to activate the hub even more. Uh Oh Bottle-O & Wine Bar is the boozy younger sibling of Uh Oh Spaghettio, a pint-sized sipping spot stocking new-wave wines, craft beers and boutique spirits – all of which are available to drink on site, in the laneway or to take to The Valley's plethora of BYO-friendly restaurants. more

Bars
The round-up: what's open in Brisbane on New Year's Day
Food & Drink

The round-up: what’s open in Brisbane on New Year’s Day

01 Dec 2020

Wow, what a year it's been. We won't say it's been a good one – to be honest it's been frankly awful. But, we got through it. Now, it's time to celebrate. Although the bas taste of 2020 is sure to linger into 2021, there's no reason we can't bid it farewell in style. New Year's Day 2021 is the beginning of a fresh start, so we better make the most of it. If you ask us, there's no better way to kick a year off on a good note than with a top-notch meal. If you haven't overindulged the night before (it's okay if you do – we get it), then here is a list of spots that are committed to being there for us on January 1. more

Bars
Fish Lane welcomes Bar Brutus – a spirited spritz bar from the Julius Pizzeria team
Food & Drink

Fish Lane welcomes Bar Brutus – a spirited spritz bar from the Julius Pizzeria team

26 Nov 2020

Fish Lane's lauded pizzeria Julius is so popular that it's not uncommon for diners to wait upwards of an hour to score a table. While the wait is absolutely worth it, the team at Julius has taken pity on our weary feet. The crew has expanded across the laneway to open Bar Brutus – a cosy Italian-inspired spritz and snack bar that not only doubles as a primo perch to wait for a free table at Julius, but also as a classy haunt that's perfect for whiling away a whole evening if desired. more

Bars
Treasury Brisbane's overwater bar Will & Flow opens in The City
Food & Drink

Treasury Brisbane’s overwater bar Will & Flow opens in The City

26 Nov 2020

For a place commonly dubbed the River City, Brisbane could sure use some more riverside bars, in our opinion. It seems as if the team at Treasury Brisbane has read our minds, because its new overwater locale Will & Flow has opened today! Offering unbeatable views from the gently lapping banks of the Brisbane River, Will & Flow (named in homage to the river's gentle current and the Goodwill Bridge under which it sits) is set to become one of the summer's most popular destinations. Read on to see why ... more

Bars
South Bank welcomes two-storey Tex-Mex and margarita manor El Camino Cantina
Food & Drink

South Bank welcomes two-storey Tex-Mex and margarita manor El Camino Cantina

26 Nov 2020

With colourful decor coating the walls, luminescent neon lights blazing vivid hues and party vibes reverberating through the air, you'd be forgiven for thinking there was no way El Camino Cantina could escalate its roistering appeal. Well, the team at Rockpool Dining Group has elected to go supersize with the latest entrant in its burgeoning portfolio – a two-level El Camino Cantina outpost situated in the heart of South Bank's Stanley Street Plaza. Transforming the old Munich Brauhaus building into a multifaceted, rock 'n' roll-inspired party hub, this deluxe El Camino Cantina is kicking off its opening celebrations with some margarita-soaked revelry. more

Bars
Burleigh-born beer crew Black Hops opens its East Brisbane brewery and taproom
Food & Drink

Burleigh-born beer crew Black Hops opens its East Brisbane brewery and taproom

19 Nov 2020

Here's some news that'll be sure to have hops heads in a frenzy – Black Hops Brisbane has officially opened to the public! After purchasing Semi-Pro Brewing Co. earlier this year, the coastal outfit is showing off its new northern HQ, tapping the kegs on Black Hops' core range of surfy suds and a selection of limited-edition brews crafted in the East Brisbane tanks. Fancy a sip? Save yourself a trip south on the M1 and plot a course for this Manilla Street oasis. more

Bars
Culture clash – sample fusion fare at South Brisbane's Baos Pop Bistro
Food & Drink

Culture clash – sample fusion fare at South Brisbane’s Baos Pop Bistro

19 Nov 2020

We love an adventurous fusion, especially when it comes in an easy-to-eat package. South Brisbane's newest haunt Baos Pop Bistro is amalgamating elements of Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Korean eating and drinking cultures, delivering it in an approachable and easygoing setting. If the sound of truffle-chicken baos, tea-smoked duck, Korean-style fried cauliflower and sudsy tap beers are enticing, read on to find out more about your new favourite venue. more

Bars
The round-up: say farewell to 2020 at Brisbane's best New Year’s Eve soirees
Food & Drink

The round-up: say farewell to 2020 at Brisbane’s best New Year’s Eve soirees

18 Nov 2020

Folks, we’ve made it through a pandemic (almost), bushfires, floods, redundancies, a year of no travel and a few months without haircuts – if that’s not a solid reason to celebrate, we don’t know what is! The end of this extremely challenging year is approaching and it’s not a moment too soon, so we’ve rounded up the best spots in Brisbane to ring in 2021 this New Year’s Eve. Don your glad rags, put on your socially-distanced dancing shoes and get ready to party like it’s no longer 2020! more

Bars
Welcome Warehouse 25 – Milton's new multifaceted dining and arts hub
Food & Drink

Welcome Warehouse 25 – Milton’s new multifaceted dining and arts hub

12 Nov 2020

To the naked eye, Finchley Street in Milton is a quiet and unassuming strip, home to a collection of business removed from the action of Suncorp Stadium and its surrounds. For several years a nondescript warehouse half way along the street has regularly hosted a series of underground electronica parties, where those in the know frequently flocked to party and celebrate Brisbane's cultural undercurrent. Now that same venue is going public, transforming to become a bona fide bar, eatery, inclusive music venue and distillery in one, which means Brisbane's best-kept secret won't be a secret for much longer. more

Bars
Lost Palms Brewing Co. brings the surf to Sherwood with new taproom
Food & Drink

Lost Palms Brewing Co. brings the surf to Sherwood with new taproom

12 Nov 2020

Any discerning drinker will tell you that a southward beer pilgrimage must include a stop at Miami-based, millennial-pink brewery Lost Palms. In good news for those of us that like to sip closer to home, the coastal brew crew has ventured to Brisbane's western suburbs, opening an eye-catching bar and eatery in the heart of Sherwood. Boasting an ethos that champions inclusivity and creativity, Lost Palms' brand-new taproom is welcoming craft-curious carousers, die-hard hop heads and laid-back libation lovers from all walks of life. more

Bars
Choose your own adventure at Fortitude Valley's party collective The Prince Consort
Food & Drink

Choose your own adventure at Fortitude Valley’s party collective The Prince Consort

05 Nov 2020

They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but they don't say anything about giving an old dog a new lease on life. Fortitude Valley's 132-year-old heritage-listed Prince Consort Hotel building, which looms large over the corner of Wickham Terrace and Brunswick Street, has been given a top-to-tail makeover courtesy of a new ownership group. Last week the striking three-storey building debuted as The Prince Consort – a supersized hospitality hub boasting eight venues in one. From a gritty underground rock 'n' roll bar and a classic English pub to a luxe supper lounge and a colourful Mexican-inspired cantina, The Prince Consort has an experience for all comers. more