Bars Brisbane | The Weekend Edition

Balter Brewing has reopened its Currumbin Waters taproom after an extensive renovation

12 May 2022

One of life's greatest pleasures is sinking a cold one amongst good company. That's why we're so excited about the reopening of one of our favourite places to practise this particular pleasure – Balter Brewing's taproom. After an extensive three-month renovation, the beloved brewery has once again opened its doors, revealing a bright and shiny bar space that’s a prime spot for knocking back a beautiful-tasting brew. more

Food & Drink

Sip suds by the water at Redcliffe Peninsula’s new beer maker Scarborough Harbour Brewing Co.

04 May 2022

Breweries come in all shapes and sizes – some are crammed inside industrial storage units and warehouses while some sit on rooftops. Moreton Bay's newest booze maker enjoys a primo perch on the water's edge at Scarborough Marina, where beer lovers can quaff frothies and snack on locally sourced seafood as the sun sets over the Glasshouse Mountains in the distance. Two-level brewery and restaurant Scarborough Harbour Brewing Co. opened last month and has already become one of the most popular spots on the peninsula. Read on to find out why ... more

Food & Drink

Priorities – a slickly minimalist coffee, pastry and wine slinger – opens in Alderley

21 Apr 2022

Getting a good cup of coffee is usually the first order of business in the morning and, depending on the day one's had, a glass of wine can be a necessity after a long day at work. Priorities in Alderley caters to both needs. The brainchild of a couple of seasoned hospitality veterans, this tasteful cafe-meets-wine-bar ambitiously looks to bridge AM and PM with a mixture of specialty coffee, natural Australian-made wine and artisanal pastries. more

Food & Drink

Lucha Brewing Co. turns on the taps at its Seventeen Mile Rocks microbrewery

14 Apr 2022

Lucha Brewing Co. is a dream turned into a reality. The new microbrewery, which is tucked away in a small light-industrial hub in Brisbane's southwest, is the result of a pair of entrepreneurial brewing enthusiasts wholeheartedly embodying the phrase 'carpe diem'. Pop in for off-the-wall beers and stay for the community-focused vibes. more

Food & Drink

The round-up: where to seek out Brisbane’s best hidden bars

06 Apr 2022

Brisbane's small-bar scene is a trove of secret speakeasies and hidden haunts. While broadcasting the location of Brisbane's best hidden boozers might take the fun out of exploring, these incognito imbibing destinations are too good not to share. Here's our list of Brisbane's best hidden bars – see if you can find them all! more

Food & Drink

Get the first look inside Stratton Bar & Kitchen – Newstead’s jaw-dropping arrival

31 Mar 2022

Our favourite bars and restaurants are the ones that make the most out of unique spaces – the more creative the better! Stratton Bar & Kitchen – the new venue from the crew behind the perennially popular Mrs Brown's Bar & Kitchen – quietly opened to the public last week inside a pair of World War II-era hangars on Stratton Street, immediately scoring top marks on the location front. Those lucky enough to snag a seat were wowed by the roomy eatery's eye-catching industrial-inspired interior and flavour-packed menu featuring items like cacio e pepe udon noodles, cheeseburger dumplings and bolognese-and-burrata-topped pizzas, not to mention a seriously impressive cocktail list to boot. We were lucky to get the first look inside – here's what we saw ... more

Food & Drink

Frog’s Hollow Saloon, Charlotte Street’s new whisky-slinging barroom, is now open

31 Mar 2022

Brisbane City in 2022 is a far cry from its identity in the latter half of the 1800s. The area now loosely ringed by George Street, Edward Street, Elizabeth Street and Alice Street was once a mangrove-filled swampland called Frog’s Hollow, a name that endured as this section of town evolved into Brisbane's first red-light neighbourhood. At this point the area was regarded as a hotbed of seedy action, with gangs of thieves and drunkards said to frequent gambling dens, brothels and boarding houses. It's this shady part of the city's history that Frog's Hollow Saloon takes its name. The new 60-seater whisky and cocktail bar opened on Charlotte Street on Thursday March 24, unveiling a sizeable selection of spirits dispensed by a team of hospitality hot-shots. Frog's Hollow Saloon has wasted no time injecting a bit of service-driven warmth (and a touch of roguish charm) into what has long… more

Food & Drink

Meet Stranded – Fortitude Valley’s new punk-inspired cocktail bar from The Zoo crew

24 Mar 2022

The Zoo on Ann Street has long been a beacon for Brisbane's music-loving set. Its hallowed stage has hosted numerous international and local icons – its floorboards marked by the stomping feet of thousands. This stalwart endures as one of The Valley's iconic fixtures and now its current ownership is looking to celebrate its legacy (and that of similarly storied rock 'n' roll hubs like CBGB and Max's Kansas City) with its new sibling bar Stranded. This soon-to-open boozer has been conceived as a home for post-gig punters, a melting pot for like-minded musicians to connect and a tantalising tipple temple for the epicurious. More than anything, it's a hub of good times. Want a peek inside? We were granted a pre-opening look around – here's what we saw ... more

Food & Drink

Bavay Distillery bottles the tastes of history at its heritage-listed Morningside home

24 Mar 2022

If you had a time machine, what point in time would you visit? It's a tough question, for sure, but the brains behind Morningside's newly open Bavay Distillery don't have to think that hard. Ask them, and they’ll tell you they’d go back a century to visit famed brewer and bacteriologist Auguste de Bavay, who pioneered early brewing techniques right here in Brisbane. The small-batch distillery is all about bringing the past into the present, drawing inspiration from its location's history as an early hub of spirit making to shape and influence its range of gins, vodkas, whiskies and cane spirits. Its glamorous Gatsby-inspired cellar door and production space is now open. Take a look inside ... more

Food & Drink

Sneak peek – Cartel Del Taco gears up to open its Hawthorne taqueria and bar next week

24 Mar 2022

We can't lie – even we have been guilty of rubbernecking as we cruise down Hawthorne Road, craning our necks to get a glimpse at the progress being made on Cartel Del Taco. We've been dreaming of melt-in-your-mouth al pastor tacos con todo, gooey birria tacos and sublime salt-rimmed margaritas since we announced the Mexican-inspired street taqueria's forthcoming opening back in September. Well, now we're happy to reveal that Cartel Del Taco will be officially opening its doors to the public on Friday April 1, giving taco-craving throngs a look inside its retro taqueria and bar. We were lucky to score a preview of the soon-to-open snack spot, including a glimpse at its tempting tacos and covetable tequila- and mezcal-infused cocktails. Here's what we saw ... more

Food & Drink

Soak up Mediterranean vibes at Victoria Point’s tapas and cocktail spot Long Island Bar & Kitchen

17 Mar 2022

As Brisbane continues to slowly expand outward, the demand for quality hospitality options beyond the inner suburbs grows in tandem. Suburban pockets are flourishing, offering an alternative to those that would prefer to spend their money on food and drink than Uber rides. Long Island in Victoria Point is a newcomer to the scene that looks to provide a composed and contemporary experience to locals of Redland Bay, pairing minimalist Mediterranean-inspired aesthetics with a menu of share-style plates and cocktail jugs – a dynamite combo, if you ask us. more

Food & Drink

Rooftop bar Sonny’s brings Tex-Mex fare and margaritas to Milton

10 Mar 2022

As the home of some of Brisbane's most iconic breweries and sitting right on the fringe of Caxton Street, Milton has a reputation as a destination for good times. It's newest rooftop bar, however, might be a little unexpected – and we can guarantee that you won't have guessed its location. Sonny's officially opens this Friday, March 11, serving up Tex-Mex delights, tantalising margs and a killer atmosphere – and it's certain to draw a crowd. more

Food & Drink

Spritzes grow on trees at new garden bar and kitchen Newstead Social

10 Mar 2022

When we think of pubs, we typically think of saucy chicken parmigiana, steaks and frosty pints of beer. Not often do we spy a saloon boasting lush greenery on the ceiling, chandeliers, oysters, giant charcuterie platters and giant spritz trees. Well, that's exactly what Newstead Social – a new kind of public bar open now on Masters Street – is offering. This pub-meets-garden-bar is rewriting the rulebook when it comes to locals-oriented hospitality – here's what's on offer ... more

Food & Drink

Catalina, a beach-club-inspired restaurant boasting skyline views, opens in South Brisbane

24 Feb 2022

A beach club with no beach. It sounds odd on paper, we know, but hold your skepticism for a moment longer. Catalina Rooftop, South Brisbane's brand-new rooftop bar, restaurant and lounge, might not have the sand to go with its resort-inspired aesthetic, but it more than makes up for it with panoramic skyline views, a 30-metre infinity pool (complete with cushy day beds for hire), a menu of Mediterranean-meets-Japanese fare (including sashimi, Moreton Bay bug raviolo and lobster thermidor) and a drinks menu boasting double magnums of rosé and an assortment of refreshing cocktails. This jaw-dropping locale officially opens today, Friday February 18, and is a must-visit venue for those craving a taste of Dubai, St Tropez and Las Vegas luxury. more

Valley Hops Brewing | Brisbane's best beer gardens and outdoor bars — Bars

Food & Drink

The round-up: Brisbane’s best beer gardens and outdoor bars to visit before summer ends

17 Feb 2022

It’s almost a scientific fact that the best way to enjoy the sizzling summer months is to embrace it and find a comfortable perch to blow the froth off a cold beverage or two in one of Brisbane’s many beer gardens. Our winter hibernation has ended – now it’s the time to get our dishevelled selves some sun. Here are some of the best beer gardens and outdoor bars to seek out this summer. more

Food & Drink

Slurpee who? Cool down with El Camino Cantina’s Summer of Swirls dual frozen margaritas

03 Feb 2022

Ah, summer in Queensland. The last couple of days have truly reminded us just how hot – and humid – it can get. When you can't escape the heat, there's nothing quite like a cool iced bev to regulate your temperature from the inside, out. To help, El Camino Cantina has just launched its limited-edition Summer of Swirls dual frozen margaritas, giving us an adults-only version of a summertime favourite. more

Food & Drink

Lauded sommelier Ian Trinkle opens boutique wine space Wineism in Albion

23 Dec 2021

For the oenophiles of Brisbane, the name Ian Trinkle is synonymous with exceptional wine. The renowned sommelier was responsible for the curation of the award-winning wine lists at Aria Brisbane and Howard Smith Wharves, and is now turning his attention to crafting an expansive selection that knows no bounds, available to the public whenever they desire. Together with his wife Liz Trinkle and long-time family friend Aaron Mullan, Ian has launched Wineism, a first-of-its-kind boutique wine space in the heart of Albion. more

Food & Drink

Slake your thirst with some sudsy sips at West End’s new brewery Parched

23 Dec 2021

With the summer temperatures being what they are, there's a seriously high chance that your thirst levels are elevated above normal. If the heat has left you craving a cold one, then allow us to introduce you to Parched – an appropriately named brewery that officially opened its doors to the public last week. With 16 taps dedicated to pouring thirst-quenching tipples and a kitchen specialising in elevated pub-style eats, Parched is poised to become a popular summer respite for connecting, socialising, sipping and snacking. more

Food & Drink

Newstead’s Range Brewing unveils its new-look taproom

23 Dec 2021

Craft-beer brewing is all about experimentation – trying new ingredient combinations in an effort to create something flavoursome and exciting. Few breweries in the Brisbane scene experiment more than Range Brewing, a Newstead-based hub built on an ethos of envelope-pushing exploration and evolution. Four years on and Range Brewing's reputation for innovation has spread across Australia. Now, before the year closes, the brew crew has given its Brisbane taproom a slick makeover, matching Range's boundary-nudging brewing approach with a stylish and sustainable aesthetic. more

Food & Drink

Much-loved Sunshine Coast brewery Brouhaha opens a mammoth second location in Baringa

23 Dec 2021

Since its 2016 opening, Brouhaha has made some serious waves in the Australian craft-brewing scene. What started as a passion project for Sunshine Coast mates Julian, Jeff, Dave and Matt – who set out to build a modest, no-fuss brewery – has grown enormously, much more than they could have ever imagined. After receiving numerous awards and gaining a seriously loyal following, Brouhaha soon outgrew its humble Maleny digs. Friday December 17 marked the beginning of a new chapter for the brewery with the opening of a second location in Baringa – with the capacity to increase production by 500 percent. more