Savile Row’s sibling Finney Isles opens its blue door in Fortitude Valley
Cocktail connoisseurs rejoice – some of Brisbane’s savviest sippers have opened a brand-new drinkery in the heart of Fortitude Valley’s Ann Street strip. The brains behind Cobbler and Savile Row have unveiled Finney Isles, another old-world trade-inspired saloon that draws inspiration from its location’s past as a draper’s store. You won’t find bolts of cloth and haberdashery behind the venue’s blue door, though – only the finest cocktails, top-shelf spirits, non-intervention wines and choice charcuterie.
The details
Fans of the top-tier drinking experience provided by Cobbler and Savile Row are already frothing at word that Finney Isles – a new venue from masterminds Martin Lange, Trent Goodwin and Kahn Millis – has opened in The Valley. It’s no surprise that these venues, whose naming conventions are rooted in fashion, offer some of the closest service to haute hospitality as we’ve got in Brisbane, so any new arrival is worth paying attention to. Although the trio had no plans to add to their portfolio (Savile Row only opened in June 2017), they were approached to take over and implement their signature style of hospitality in the former home of craft-beer bar The Rattler. Seeing a chance to mix up the formula with some new elements, the crew signed on and got to work on a venue that offered a different kind of experience to Savile Row, starting with the blue door – a colourful counterpoint to Savile’s orange-coloured entry.
The space
When it came to the available tenancy, Martin, Trent and Kahn were sold on the venue’s location, which is positioned perfectly on the corner of Ann and Warner Streets. The Rattler’s set-up was scrapped, as the crew chose to align the bar along one wall to open up floor space for seating. Whereas Cobbler and Savile Row are predicated on moody atmospherics, the vibe of Finney Isles boasts a softer touch. A harmonious palette of blue and timber lightens up the space (alongside wallpaper adorned with peacock feathers and leopards), which basks in sunlight when the large curtains are open, but shrouds itself in intimate mystique when shuttered. Low-lying blue-leather couches beckon patrons, though those that prefer to converse with their drink makers can perch on similarly leather-clad stools at the bar.
The food and drink
Much like its older siblings, Finney Isles is first and foremost a cocktail bar. The bar’s impressive list features a range of cutting-edge concoctions inspired by famous artistic works and movements, exemplified by the citric and dry Wild Rider, themed on Ikenaga Yasunari’s ‘Makiko’ series or Point The Bone, a bitter and textural mix inspired by Roy Lichtenstein’s ‘Drowning Girl’. As always, Martin, Kahn and Trent have done their due diligence when fleshing out the back bar – a stellar selection of boutique spirits fills the shelves to bursting point. A choice array of gins and whiskies lead the artisan selection, bolstered by a strong offering of low-intervention and biodynamic wines – 20 drops are available by the glass and ten by the bottle. Spritzes, mainstream and craft beers are available off tap, and patrons can also nibble on a selection of charcuterie and cheeses to boot.
Finney Isles is now open. Find all the details in the Stumble Guide.
The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Brisbane dining guide with more than 2400 places to eat, drink, shop and play.
