Sip spritz by sunset at The Fantauzzo’s own rooftop watering hole Fiume Bar
Let us set a scene for you – imagine basking in the fading rays of the setting sun, cocktail in hand and a platter of moreish morsels at your elbow. Below you is the bustling hubbub of Howard Smith Wharves and ahead is the twinkling skyline of The City. You’re located far above the rabble, indulging in the kind of elevated luxury you can only experience at a rooftop bar. This vision isn’t a fanciful dream – at Fiume Bar it’s a reality. The Fantauzzo has unveiled its stellar rooftop watering hole, blending the hotel’s modern aesthetic with a killer list of libations, share plates and good times illuminated by sun or stars.
With riverside wine bars, craft-beer breweries and burger joints already covered, the one thing Howard Smith Wharves really needed was a rooftop bar. Well, you can now tick that off the list, as Fiume Bar at The Fantauzzo is the spot to be if you want to take your knock-off experience up a notch or two. The bar exudes a modern-yet-relaxed style, with a sparse palette of greys creating a chic space to celebrate aperitivo hour from sunset onwards. From the instant you exit the lift and walk down the deck past The Fantauzzo’s function rooms, you’ll be taken with the view, which offers glimpses down the riverwalk in both directions and the underside of towering Story Bridge above. Beyond the bar sits the hotel’s pool, which might take the crown of Brisbane’s most scenic dip destination. Nab a perch along the balcony, and you’ll be treated to one of the best views available along the riverside.
Like The Fantauzzo’s ground-floor eatery Polpetta, Fiume Bar’s menu also boasts a sprinkle of Italian influences, though up here the list angles towards grazing-style snacks more conducive to sharing. Executive chef Steven Herold is taking a strict seasonal approach, blending local ingredients with a dash of Italian flair to create the likes of Noosa mushroom arancini, veal and pork meatballs, eggplant chips coated in buckwheat, polenta and parsley crumb, calamari fritti and artisan salumi and antipasti platters. If you’re not keen on sharing, the Fiume cheeseburger or the traditional egg-soaked toasted mortadella sandwich will hit the spot. Like the eats, Fiume Bar’s cocktail list will also be in a state of constant flux as the skilled mixers imbue the menu with natural ingredients and flavours. The team utilises a vast selection of liqueurs from Tamborine Mountain Distillery across its menu, which includes a native martini with eucalyptus vodka and limoncello, wattle toffee espresso martini, a wild-plum spritz and a native negroni with gin, vermouth and quandong liqueur. The menu is fleshed out with a range of classic aperitivos, cocktail jugs and Seedlip-based mocktails, as well as imported and craft beers, Australian and Italian wines, and top-shelf spirits.
Fiume Bar is now open at The Fantauzzo. Head to the Stumble Guide for opening hours and more information.
The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Brisbane dining guide with more than 2400 places to eat, drink, shop and play.
