Dan Rodriguez and Bodie Schofield had long toyed around with the idea of Electric Avenue – a venue that paid tribute to Woolloongabba’s storied history as an antiques hotspot. As owners of popular cocktail haunt Canvas, the duo waited patiently for the perfect place to erect their dream venue close by. The opportunity finally arose to take over the neighbouring Crosstown Public House space, a mere stone’s throw from Canvas’s door. A venue of this size required more oversight, so Dan and Bodie have brought on Canvas’s head bartender Nick Royds and carpenter Adam Pykett as partners in the venue. The four gents immediately got to work transforming the space into their ideal venue and spearheaded by Adam’s know-how, Electric Avenue gradually took shape. The resulting space boasts a fun vintage vibe that is a far cry from your nan’s cluttered, old-timey aesthetic. New light fixtures have been installed, complementing a host of comfortable furniture, a revamped bar area, a toy room-themed hangout spot and a separate 50-seater bistro. An eclectic selection of vintage pieces accumulated over months of hoarding adorn the space, from toy planes to ceramic figures to a stuffed deer head – creating a wholesome tribute to Woolloongabba’s past.

The kitchen at Electric Avenue boasts Will Quartel at the helm, who has crafted a menu of divine bistro fare that blends fine-dining techniques with casual approachability across a range of entrees, mains, desserts, bar snacks and cheeses. Morsels of whole grilled kimchi-glazed fish, spiced lamb backstrap, artichoke and chestnut ravioli, and blackened duck breast are just some of the sit-down offerings being plated up. Alternatively, pull up a stool at the bar and nibble on the likes of Tennessee hot chicken, pork crackling with pecan salt and corn husk aioli, crispy cockscomb and charred corn. As for the drinks, well, did you really expect the owners of Canvas to neglect the drinks? Electric Avenue is well stocked with everything you could fancy sipping, including 75 kinds of wine from all corners of the globe, tap and bottled beer and five specialty cocktails to put to your lips.

We don’t want to give too much away, but we can’t resist giving you the skinny on some of Electric Avenue’s hidden secrets. We hear talk of a secret hideaway opening in the coming weeks – one that will specialise in whisky, live music and cocktails in teacups. The only other details that we have indicate that it will be the spot for a boogie once dinner is suitably digested and the libations flow a little bit quicker, so stay tuned for more details.

Electric Avenue will open to the public on Tuesday April 25. Keen to know more? No doubt you are! Click over to the Stumble Guide for more information.