Patrick Donhue and Justin Kong know how to create a vibe. At their 1920s Shanghai-inspired Fortitude Valley speakeasy Cindy Chows, the duo blended glamour and theatricality with back-alley edginess. The team’s Soul Pantry Kitchen & Bar elevated the humble suburban cafe with colour and cocktails. Newstead Social, the hospo group’s newly open drinking and dining spot located on Masters Street, is the crew’s take on the local watering hole. Here Patrick and Justin look to harmonise dependable old-world pub convenience with chic garden bar aesthetics, with an atmosphere and offering that sets Newstead Social apart from the standard drinkery archetype. The 400-sqm semi-subterranean space – previously home to Six Feet Under – has been given a tropical-inspired makeover by Lowry Group, with the venue’s industrial bones softened by the addition of greenery suspended from the ceiling, timber arches, a glittering chandelier, bookcases, neon signs and a white-marble bar. Though the foliage gives Newstead Social a charming contemporary chic identity, the venue is still very much a public bar at heart – large screen televisions, a pool table den, a stage for live music and regular trivia and bingo nights ensure the haunt is imbued with a pub-like spirit.

Newstead Social’s culinary offering is targeted towards broad appeal, with thought spent ensuring that its kitchen and bar is suitably equipped to satisfy the pub lunch crowd, cocktail quaffing carousers and the occasion-celebrating groups. Peckish people can pick at starters including buttermilk fried chicken, prawn and lobster rolls, fresh oysters, glossy globs of burrata, and serves of calamari. Mains such as crispy golden schnitzels, slow-cooked pork ribs with pomegranate glaze, charred broccoli salads and Thai beef salads are best suited for one hungry patron, while Newstead Social’s signature share platters (loaded with the likes of 24-hour braised lamb shoulder, cheese and charcuterie) are sizeable enough to feed a legion. Tap and bottled beers, and a wine list with more than 20 bottles to choose from leads Newstead Social’s beverage selection, but it’s the cocktail offering that many will be drawn to. A clutch of six classics join a seven-strong selection of signatures (including a pineapple negroni and watermelon spicy margarita) and four kinds of spritz. If you’ve got a thirsty throng to satiate, Newstead Social’s vine-wrapped iron spritz tree comes loaded with ten spritzes – with an assortment of brilliantly coloured bubbly beverages loaded up on each arm.

Newstead Social is now open to the public seven days a week. Click on over to the Stumble Guide for operating hours and menu details.