Suzie Wong’s Good Time Bar
Earlier this month, we broke the news that longstanding cocktail bar The Bowery would be closing after 17 years of trade. Well, now we’ve got word of what concept will be stepping into the bar’s sizeable shoes come February. Suzie Wong’s Good Time Bar is the name of the forthcoming live music-oriented bar from the Drunken Monkey Group – the crew known for its lively inner-city haunts Brooklyn Standard and Fat Angel Sports Bar & Grill. The opportunity to take over The Bowery’s Ann Street space presented itself not long before Christmas last year, when The Bowery’s owner Stephanie Camfell reached out to Drunken Monkey head honcho Adam Barton to see if he knew anyone keen to take over. After some quick deliberation with his team, Adam gamely put his own hand up, and by January 2 the crew had the keys to the venue in their hands. With only a short period of time to enact a conceptual overhaul of the venue, Adam and co. have been busy putting in motion the various moving pieces needed to give the space a new look, feel and offering, while still giving The Bowery the send off it deserves. This Sunday January 26 marks The Bowery’s last day of trade, with a big party planned to see out the end of an era. Come next week, the venue will begin a two-week metamorphoses, transforming into a Hawaiian-inspired dive bar with a focus on live music. Suzie Wong’s won’t be a full-on cocktail joint or a gaudy tiki-bar, simply a space where punters can drink, dance and leave their woes at the door. A newly installed stage (complete with a brand-new backline) will host live music acts five nights a week, including rock’n’roll, blues, funk and more. Suzie Wong’s Good Time Bar will open on Thursday February 6 – stay tuned for a closer look!

The Sound Garden
The arrival of The Fortitude Music Hall in August 2019 was a landmark moment for Brisbane’s live-music scene, and soon Brisbane’s premier ballroom-cum-theatre-style venue will have a new neighbour – further cementing Brunswick Street Mall’s status as a music mecca. The Sound Garden is the forthcoming bar, restaurant and tune temple from the Mantle Group (The Charming Squire, Tai Tai, Pig’N’Whistle), which is on track to open in early February. The multi-faceted venue – designed by architect firm Hogg & Lamb – boasts a whopping capacity of 700 patrons, with an aesthetic palette encompassing green marble, dark green vinyl, and brassy finishes. Upon entry, punters will be greeted by a seven-metre tall ficus tree that stretches the height of the venue, as well as a 13.5-metre ground-floor bar constructed from natural limestone. Another bar on the top level is fashioned out of Brescia Sandra marble and brass, situated near a balcony overlooking the mall below. The Sound Garden will offer crowds an impressive food and beverage selection, with head chef Craig Watson putting forward a menu of light and wood-fired share-style eats, while the bar will pour local beers and spirits, a sizeable cocktail menu and crafted coffee from Mantle Groups’s own Mantle and Moon. As for the music, The Sound Garden will be hosting free live gigs every night of the week, so keep your eyes peeled for an in-depth peek come early February.

Miss Jones’ Weekend High Brunch
There are few things more indulgent than getting a buzz on at brunch, and now pink-hued New Farm breakfast haunt Miss Jones has debuted a boozy brunch-themed weekend high tea menu. Every Saturday between 10:00 am and 2:30 pm, tables of two or more can sample a tiered feast of classic breakfast morsels. For $35 per person, have your fill of chia parfaits, seasonal fruit, pastries, scones, jams, cured meats, cheeses, bacon, eggs, roast mushrooms, coffee and juice. If you’re feeling extravagant, Miss Jones has unveiled two cocktails you can order to accompany your brunch – a tangy Bloody Mary or a refreshing mimosa. If you and your brunch crew are weighing up options, try throwing this into the mix.

Felix for Goodnes x LATTA Vino
Burnett Lane institution Felix for Goodness will be making 2020 a year to remember with a newly announced series of culinary collaborations with incredible Australian natural winemakers. Kicking off this procession of epicurean entente is a five-course degustation dinner held in partnership with LATTA Vino on Friday February 7. Each course (the exact details of the fare are still under wraps) will be paired with a different LATTA drop, giving guests the chance to sample a curated selection of the winemaker’s heralded offering. Tickets to the dinner are $95 and can be purchased here.

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