Winston Quinn
Australia’s craft-spirit scene is moving from strength to strength, with a growing number of artisan outfits producing world-class drops all over the country. Brisbane is starting to develop its own collection of boutique operations, and newcomer Winston Quinn is looking to help build the city’s profile with its small-batch gin distillery. Ryan and Megan Sanders are the founders of the operation, which set to debut its range and open its bottling and distilling facility and cellar-door-style bar in Fortitude Valley later this year. Inspired by their gin-soaked travels to London last year, the duo (who operate creative agency Binge Creative) decided to take their shared passion to another level. The couple aren’t doing this by halves – the past six months have included an intensive research period, which saw Ryan and Meg working with industry experts to perfect their recipes. The Winston Quinn team is currently outfitting its future home – a 1960s-era warehouse on Prospect Street – where upon launch it will initially be bottling and storing its range while it awaits necessary approvals to set up its own still, which is being imported from Germany. Although exact details on the range are being kept under wraps, Ryan and Meg are planning four gin flavours tailor-made to complement the Queensland weather while remaining approachable for both die-hard gin lovers and novice spirit seekers. You can follow the Winston Quinn journey through social media, but we’ll no doubt have more info for you closer to the brand’s tentative August launch.

Signature
Over the past year, Emporium Hotel at South Bank has been incrementally unveiling its anticipated food and drink offering, starting with Belle Epoque’s opening in August, The Terrace’s September unveiling and the Piano Bar’s launch in March. The final piece of the puzzle now has a name and an opening date. Signature – officially opening on Tuesday May 21 – will be the pinnacle of Emporium’s culinary offering, boasting a modern Australian menu and a cellar of wine featuring 6000 bottles from around the world. Led by husband-and-wife duo executive chef Chris Norman and executive sous chef Alex Liddle, Signature will shine a spotlight on locally sourced food, heroing flexible and adaptable morsels such as Abrolhos Island scallops, Eugowra quail, Murray River cod and Flinders Island lamb. We’ll have a closer look for you soon!

Hyatt Place Brisbane at South City Square
Brisbane’s accommodation scene is about to get even more baller thanks to the announcement of our very first Hyatt hotel! This exciting new project is taking place as part of the hotly anticipated $700-million South City Square development in Woolloongabba, marking the Hyatt brand’s triumphant return to Queensland. Slated for a 2023 opening, the 170-room hotel will join seven existing Hyatt venues throughout Australia. The South City Square precinct itself is set to comprise up to 850 apartments upon completion – we’ll have more details on developments as they come to light.

Falls Farm Vegetarian Dinner at Urbane
When it comes to vegetarian fine dining in Brisbane, Urbane has been at the top of the list for many years due to its inventive and inclusive menus. In good news for herbivores, the celebrated restaurant is furthering its sterling reputation in the scene with the announcement of a brand-new, one-off vegetarian degustation on Wednesday May 29. The experience has been curated by Urbane and The Euro’s new executive chef Andrew Gunn, who has just returned to his home city following a six-year stint working at Michelin-starred venues in Paris and undertaking a European foraging tour visiting some of the world’s most famous flavour regions. Andrew has collaborated with Sunshine Coast outfit The Falls Farm to create the five-course affair, which will showcase the flavours and power of plants. Curious? Head to our Event Guide for more details.

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