Bars
Sip from the source – Aether Brewing opens its Northgate taproom
Food & Drink

Sip from the source – Aether Brewing opens its Northgate taproom

14 Nov 2019

Brisbane's craft-beer brewing scene continues to expand at a cracking pace, with new outfits sprouting up across town while veterans of the scene grow to cater to the city's insatiable demand. Aether Brewing has evolved into one of Brisbane's preeminent brewing operations since launching in Milton three years ago. Late last year, the Aether crew opened a sizeable new brewhouse in Northgate, upping its production capabilities far beyond its Milton home. Now, the team are letting folks come in and sample freshly brewed pours at its brand-new taproom. If you're an OG Aether fan (or are a northside local looking for a new weekend haunt), this is the spot to get a taste of the brewery's heralded product. more

Bars
Portside Wharf welcomes chic wine bar @ Mr and Mrs Jones
Food & Drink

Portside Wharf welcomes chic wine bar @ Mr and Mrs Jones

14 Nov 2019

It's a crime to have to travel far for a good drop – if you ask us, every suburb deserves a quality wine bar to call its own. We're fairly certain Karen Phillips – the owner of new Portside wine bar @ Mr and Mrs Jones – would agree. This classy wine-diner boasts a stellar array of vino to sip, but it isn't simply a one-dimensional pit-stop for those looking to wet their whistle. @ Mr and Mrs Jones is also dishing up divine plates conceived and cooked by a hatted chef, meaning that if you simply have to travel to get your wine fix, @ Mr and Mrs Jones is worth making tracks for. more

Bars
Barbecue Mafia sets down roots with Chelmer restaurant
Food & Drink

Barbecue Mafia sets down roots with Chelmer restaurant

14 Nov 2019

Like any restaurant with a little experience under its belt, there comes a time when even a pop-up seeks to settle down. After dozens of sell out appearances across town, American-style barbecue purveyor Barbecue Mafia has brought its signature slow and smoky flavours to a permanent restaurant in Chelmer. more

Bars
The Billykart Kitchen crew unveils its burger joint concept Bender's Bar in West End
Food & Drink

The Billykart Kitchen crew unveils its burger joint concept Bender’s Bar in West End

07 Nov 2019

Billykart Kitchen's cheeseburger has a formidable reputation. Serious die-hard burger lovers place it amongst Brisbane's best, and it has evolved from being one of Billykart's most underrated menu choices to a having a full-blown bar concept inspired by its popularity. After seducing the tastebuds of West End locals with his burger-centric outlet Billykart Bar, Ben O'Donoghue and his culinary crew have shifted the concept across the road for new neighbourhood bar and burger joint Bender's. Bender's Bar officially opens today, Thursday November 7, giving fans of Billykart Bar's burgers and sides more room to munch. more

Bars
Range Brewing
Food & Drink

The round-up: Brisbane’s best craft-beer brewery crawls to embark on

07 Nov 2019

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably noticed a surge in craft-beer breweries opening around Brisbane. Over the past three to four years, Brisbane has seen a huge influx of froth-soaked newcomers, with loads of independent brewers opening tipple temples to great acclaim. There’s never been a better time to be a beer fan in Brisbane, so if you’re keen to tick a few names off this summer, we’ve assembled a list of Brisbane's best craft-beer brewery crawls to give you a sample of the plethora of Brisbane's top-notch breweries. more

Bars
From Byron to Brisbane – Stone & Wood opens its Fortitude Valley brewery
Food & Drink

From Byron to Brisbane – Stone & Wood opens its Fortitude Valley brewery

07 Nov 2019

Back in 2008 – when Australia's craft-beer scene was in its infancy – it was a humble Byron Bay-based brewery that first forged some of the initial major in-roads into Australia's consumer consciousness. As craft beer has vied for a larger piece of mainstream beer's market share over the past decade, Stone & Wood has emerged as one of the leading names of Australia's new wave of boutique booze. Now, as one of the elder statesmen of the scene, Stone & Wood's reach has spread far and wide, but the brand has retained its staunchly independent and community minded approach, choosing to focus on its own back yard instead of far-reaching expansion. Last Friday November 1 saw Stone & Wood open its first brewery and taproom outside of Byron Bay – tapping kegs at a brand-new hub in Fortitude Valley. Blending some carefree Byron vibes with some distinctly Brisbane grit, this beery arrival… more

Bars
Can you keep a secret? Luxe speakeasy Shhh! opens in Fortitude Valley
Food & Drink

Can you keep a secret? Luxe speakeasy Shhh! opens in Fortitude Valley

24 Oct 2019

Fortitude Valley's entertainment precinct has a new resident – a sophisticated watering hole inspired by the lush cocktail parlours of London's bar scene. Mood lighting, cushy booths, secluded nooks – this hotspot offers a brand of incognito hospitality perfect for an intimate rendezvous over a low-key libation. Shhh! (yes, that's the bar's name) offers secretive speakeasy vibes, an impressive array of cocktails and top-shelf spirits. Shhh! opens to the public on Friday October 25. Here's where to find it ... more

Bars
Frothin' the suburbs – Ballistic Beer Co. opens a new alehouse and brewery in Springfield Central
Food & Drink

Frothin’ the suburbs – Ballistic Beer Co. opens a new alehouse and brewery in Springfield Central

24 Oct 2019

Of Brisbane's craft-beer boom, few upstart brewing operations have gained as loyal a following as Ballistic Beer Co. With its Salisbury brewery and bar and West End alehouse and kitchen in its portfolio, Ballistic has established itself as a local fave, but a third outpost is about to cement the brew crew as one of Brisbane's elite. Today, Wednesday October 23, marks the official opening of Ballistic Beer Co.'s new 350-seat eatery, bar and brewery in Springfield Central. Part haven for craft beer-starved drinkers, part welcoming community hub for all, Ballistic Beer Co. is shaping up to be the perfect addition to Brisbane's blossoming western corridor. more

Bars
Dessert depot Cowch unveils its brand-new Chermside digs
Food & Drink

Dessert depot Cowch unveils its brand-new Chermside digs

24 Oct 2019

When we think of Cowch, our brains hum with salivation-inducing visuals of ice-cream sundaes, decadent super shakes and piles of pancakes soaked in maple syrup. Folks have been flocking from far and wide to the brand's South Bank flagship for their sweet-treat fix for years, but now those venturing from the northside can cut their Cowch commute drastically. Last week, Cowch opened its second Brisbane-based dessert bar at Westfield Chermside, unveiling a pastel-hued temple for crepe cravers, ice-cream addicts and fro-yo fanatics to worship all things sweet. more

Bars
The Tinsel Bar brings Push Pops, party pies and pop rocks to South Brisbane
Food & Drink

The Tinsel Bar brings Push Pops, party pies and pop rocks to South Brisbane

17 Oct 2019

It's hard to pinpoint the exact moment when we moved from childhood to adulthood, but for most of us, there came a time where we forwent fairy bread, pop rocks and party pies for more grown-up sustenance and never looked back. Sure, too much Wizz Fizz isn't exactly a healthy dietary choice, but who said we had to leave our childhood favourites in the past forever? Brisbane's queen of craft Rachel Burke is a big believer in staying young at heart, and is giving locals a space to do just that with The Tinsel Bar, which opens in South Brisbane this Friday October 18. more

Bars
Don your sombrero – Tex-Mex eatery El Camino Cantina opens in Chermside
Food & Drink

Don your sombrero – Tex-Mex eatery El Camino Cantina opens in Chermside

17 Oct 2019

Less than a year on from the unveiling of El Camino Cantina's first vibrant location in Bowen Hills, Rockpool Dining Group is taking the concept north. Today – Friday October 11 – marks the official opening of El Camino Cantina at Westfield Chermside's outdoor dining hub. Boasting the brand's signature neon-lit ambience, rock'n'roll attitude and menu of Tex-Mex delights, El Camino Cantina Chermside will be the spot to go for those seeking a never-ending fiesta. more

Bars
Rico Bar & Dining brings Spanish and South American vibes to Eagle Street Pier
Food & Drink

Rico Bar & Dining brings Spanish and South American vibes to Eagle Street Pier

10 Oct 2019

Aria's surprise closure earlier this year left a sizeable hole in Eagle Street Pier's dining array, but come Friday the precinct will officially welcome a new operator – one giving the storied tenancy a South American-inspired shake-up. Rico Bar & Dining is the name of the new eatery and nightspot, gamely stepping into the Aria-shaped void and reinvigorating the far end of the pier with a cross-section of culinary delights. more

Bars
Steins, snacks and sports – Winghaüs by Bavarian opens its inner-city digs
Food & Drink

Steins, snacks and sports – Winghaüs by Bavarian opens its inner-city digs

03 Oct 2019

Footy season is reaching its frenzied zenith, which means that sports fans all over Brisbane are seeking out the best spot to catch the final fixtures. Good news for fans of Richmond and Greater Western Sydney – a new sports bar has arrived in town, just in time for kick off at the AFL grand final. Winghaüs by Bavarian is the brand-new concept from Rockpool Dining Group, an American-inspired boozer with some distinct Bavarian influences. If your dream weekend involves heaped serves of saucy chicken wings, stacked burgers and your choice of 40 beer taps, then make tracks for Winghaüs by Bavarian when it opens tomorrow, Saturday September 28. more

Bars
Old dog, new tricks – The Normanby Hotel reopens to the public
Food & Drink

Old dog, new tricks – The Normanby Hotel reopens to the public

26 Sep 2019

Everyone has a story about a night out at The Normanby Hotel. Few pubs in Brisbane's hospitality landscape can boast as much shared history as the heritage-listed building perched near the Normanby five-ways, but even long-standing icons need some TLC. Following its sale and some significant refurbishments earlier this year, The Normanby Hotel reopened to the public last week with a new look and feel. While substantial, these changes mark less of an identity shift and more a return to the hotel's roots. Gone are the raucous carpark Sunday sessions – the modern-day Normanby pays homage to its clubhouse beginnings, while simultaneously overhauling the amenities and offering to cater for contemporary tastes. more

Bars
Old meets new at Brisbane City's subterranean saloon Miss Demeanour
Food & Drink

Old meets new at Brisbane City’s subterranean saloon Miss Demeanour

19 Sep 2019

The Rowes Arcade building on Edward Street boasts a strong hospitality lineage stretching back to the early 1900s. From the landmark 380-seater Rowe's Cafe (named after hospitality icon Minna Rowe), all the way through to the days of Rosie's Nightclub and Sonny's House of Blues, the heritage-listed building has housed its fare share of daytime and late-night destinations. The latest in this long line of hotspots – Miss Demeanour – is dipping into this heritage, paying homage to what's come before while still firmly looking toward the future with an all-day (and night) offering that boasts a welcoming and cheeky appeal. more

Bars
Salsa in the suburbs – Comuna Cantina sashays into Everton Plaza
Food & Drink

Salsa in the suburbs – Comuna Cantina sashays into Everton Plaza

19 Sep 2019

Mouth-watering food, sip-worthy cocktails, lively music and engaging company – is there a better recipe for a good time? According to the team Comuna Cantina, that's just about the pinnacle of happiness. The South American-inspired bar and eatery is all about positive vibes and living life to the fullest – the kind of attitude and energy that is infectious in the best way. Comuna Cantina is bringing its brand of buzzing hospitality to Brisbane's northern suburbs, opening a brand-new location at Everton Plaza tomorrow, Thursday September 19. With a menu of eye-popping Latin American street eats, colourful cocktails and a spacious venue to match, good times will be inevitable. more

Bars
The Matriarch brings a dash of romance and luxe Euro elegance to Newstead
Food & Drink

The Matriarch brings a dash of romance and luxe Euro elegance to Newstead

19 Sep 2019

Imagine this – you're sitting in the heart of a lavishly appointed French court, sipping top-shelf champagne in the shade of an olive tree, with snacks at your elbow and your every want and need taken care of by attentive wait staff. Usually you'd need to hop on a plane and spend a chunky sum to enjoy an experience like this, but a new venue in Newstead might just be the next best option. The Matriarch is a stately warehouse hub of European-inspired hospitality, catering to brunch lovers, bubbly sippers, high-tea hunters and tapas enthusiasts. more

Bars
Picture-perfect pop-up bar Fredericks opens at West Village
Food & Drink

Picture-perfect pop-up bar Fredericks opens at West Village

19 Sep 2019

As West Village inches closer to the start of its next stage of construction, the flourishing hub is giving locals a taste of what to expect from the precinct in 2020 and beyond. A crew of Brisbane hospitality superstars has teamed up with a pair of notable film designers to create Fredericks, a colourful pop-up bar specialising in choice bites, crafted cocktails and on-point summery vibes. more

Bars
Netherworld | Brisbane's ten best bars
Food & Drink

The round-up: Brisbane’s ten best bars as voted by you

12 Sep 2019

Brisbane’s bar culture is booming, meaning we are never short of spots to get a cheeky knock-off cocktail or blow the froth off a few cold ones on a weekend. We’re not just lucky in the quantity stakes, we’ve also been blessed with a quality collection of watering holes. This year’s EAT/drink Awards asked readers to tell us which bars they thought deserved the honour of being named Brisbane’s best, and we’ve got to hand it to you – you’ve all got great taste. Although the title of Brisbane’s best bar was hotly contested, we’ve managed to narrow it down to a top ten list – with a little help from you all, of course. more