Pawn & Co.
We know you’ve heard the murmurs – yes, after many months of waiting, we can confirm that Pawn & Co. is set to officially open to the public on Friday August 9. The world-famous club of curiosities, which first opened in Melbourne more than 11 years ago, is on the cusp of opening its jaw-dropping Brisbane outpost, with the old Laruche space undergoing an extensive $4-million refurbishment. Combining the eclectic vibe of an authentic pawnshop, the haute glamour of a high-end perfumery and the pulse of late-night club, Pawn & Co. is looking to redefine the hospitality experience in Brisbane. Once open, Pawn & Co. will be serving theatrical cocktails inspired by the world’s most-famous perfumes, while the venue’s own in-house perfumery will allow guests to curate their own signature scent. The new venue also boasts an art-deco inspired piano bar, with shelves filled with vintage decor and eclectic antiques, all of which are available for purchase. Keep your eyes peeled for an up-close look at Pawn & Co. in the coming weeks.

Dark Shepherd
Just when you thought The Star Brisbane was tapped out of announcements, the Queen’s Wharf centrepiece surprises us with another. In September, The Star Brisbane’s level four dining strip The Terrace will welcome Dark Shepherd, the latest restaurant from Tassis Group – the crew behind Longwang, Fatcow on James St, Opa Bar & Mezze and many others. The restaurant will be serving a menu filled with classic and modern Mediterranean-inspired dishes, with woodfired lamb taking centre stage as Dark Shepherd’s most prominent protein. Husband-and-wife team Vangjel and Dianna Jorgo will be overseeing Dark Shepherd’s offering as head chef and sous chef, respectively, with seafood also expected to be showcased. Boasting interiors envisioned by long-time collaborators Clui Design, Dark Shepherd will cut a chic figure with a largely monochromatic colour scheme applied across a sunken dining room and private-dining space. Dark Shepherd will join the likes of Lúc Lắc, Azteca, Cucina Regina and Black Hide Steak & Seafood by Gambaro as The Terrace’s residents. Want to know more? Be sure to read our full announcement piece here.

Sarni
Racecourse Road’s resurgence is set to continue into the latter half of 2024, with the team behind Hamilton’s Middle Eastern-inspired wine bar and bistro, Ach, gearing up to open Sarni in September. Described as a New York diner meets European deli, Sarni will be opening as a sandwich joint during the day and a bar serving wines and small plates at night. Taking over the site previously home to Frigg Cafe, Sarni is currently undergoing a DIY fit-out process, which will see different kinds of Australian hardwood – think red gum and Tasmanian oak – utilised across the space. Sarni’s daytime menu will feature a selection of deli-style sandwiches filled with house-smoked, cured and chargrilled meats, locally sourced produce, and sliced-to-order cheese from the likes of Fino Foods and Section28 Artisan Cheeses. Once Sarni’s liquor licence is approved, the venue will offer a concise wine list weighing in at around 20 bottles, with the overall selection expected to rotate frequently. There will also be a couple of taps pouring batched cocktails and craft beers, with the possibility of the Sarni dispensing a brew of its own making down the line. Keen for more info? Click here to read more about Sarni.

And, in case you missed the news …

Justin Lane Brisbane
Last Friday July 26, the Justin Lane group opened its Brisbane location in the heart of Fortitude Valley. Taking over the corner site previously home to Alfred & Constance, the team has rejuvenated the venue with a crisp aesthetic shift, amalgamating existing heritage elements and newly constructed amenities. Justin Lane Brisbane boasts a number of interior dining spaces, a beer garden, a rooftop bar, a private-dining room, an underground cocktail and vinyl lounge, and a new takeaway and cafe space next door. Fans of Justin Lane’s sprawling Burleigh Heads locale will be thrilled to know that its famous menu of sourdough-base pizzas and hand-made pastas has been brought north, with a Brisbane-exclusive selection of antipasti plates also added to the offering. We took a gander around Justin Lane Brisbane on opening night – be sure to check out our first-look piece before visiting.

If you’ve heard something that’s worth mentioning in The Weekend Edition’s Pavement Whispers, email [email protected].

Pawn & Co. image: Dominic Loneragan