B-SIDE
October is a milestone month for riverside izakaya Yoko Dining. The Howard Smith Wharves favourite is marking the fifth anniversary of its opening and, to celebrate, the team has transformed the upper level of its premises into little sister venue, B-SIDE. Taking inspiration from the back-alley record bars and vibrant izakayas of Tokyo, the Yoko Dining crew has converted the upstairs dining room into a hip hideaway for drinks and snacks, offering a menu of curated dishes reminiscent of the mouth-watering morsels commonly found beneath Tokyo’s heaving train stations. We’re talking sliced-to-order seasonal sashimi, kizami wasabi octopus, tuna tataki, wagyu katsu sliders, prawn buns, a B-SIDE take on Japanese potato salad, two kinds of ramen and miso caramel soft-serve ice-cream. On the drinks front, cocktail maestro Matt Whiley has fashioned a list of killer cocktails, including highballs, slushies and riffs on classic concoctions. More than just a place to dine, B-SIDE will boast a roster of DJs spinning every night – even Monday night, when the venue will host Retro Vinyl Sessions featuring a playlist of sounds from 80s and 90s. “We wanted to create something that encapsulates the energy and playfulness of Tokyo’s vibrant back-alley bars but with a Brisbane twist,” says The Apollo Group’s director Jonathan Barthelmess. “B-SIDE is for those who want to kick back after work, enjoy amazing food and drinks, and let loose with good music.” B-SIDE will open to the public on Monday October 14, with the first 50 guests through the doors after 5:00 pm receiving a complimentary bowl of chicken miso ramen. Stay tuned for a close-up look at B-SIDE later this month.

Byblos
While Portside Wharf’s multi-stage revitalisation has brought a lot of new concepts to Hamilton’s riverside stretch, some of the precinct’s long-term residents are also on the receiving end of a glow-up. Byblos, Ghanem Group’s Lebanese-inspired restaurant, is undergoing a substantial renovation process, giving the cherished eatery a new lease on life after 18 years of operations. The team is working with Space Cubed Design Studio on the overhaul, which is going above and beyond your run-of-the-mill refit. The process isn’t just a lick of paint and some new furnishings – the team is drawing upon the culture and cuisine of Lebanon for its oasis-like aesthetic, with sand-like textural rendered walls, sculptural dining booths with forms inspired by the Phoenician alphabet, a newly relocated monolithic bar backed by stepped arches clad in Alabastrino travertine and woven artworks expected to draw the eye. The restaurant’s riverfront alfresco space is also being expanded and improved with new weather-proofing upgrades. That’s not the only aspect of Byblos getting a sprucing – Ghanem Group executive chef Jake Nicolson (recently returned from a research trip to Lebanon alongside group directors Adonis and Nehme Ghanem) is retooling the menu with a sharper focus on modern Lebanese cuisine. As always, Byblos’ beverage program will offer fabulous and fun cocktails, a broad spirits list and a wine offering overflowing with international drops. Byblos is set to reopen later this month – stay tuned for a peek at the new-look venue soon.

The Lex Supper Club
In late-October, The Lex – W Brisbane’s flagship New York-style restaurant – will launch its brand-new Supper Club, teaming up with creative force Charlotte Ree for an event embracing the theme of ‘Food & Feeling’. Charlotte, the talented writer behind celebrated cook book and memoir Heartbake: A Bittersweet Memoir, will be teaming up with The Lex’s executive chef John Kennedy on Thursday October 24 to create a super-special four-course menu that fuses comfort and sophistication. The offering will feature crusty and warm focaccia with caprese salad and anchovy butter, Charlotte’s signature ricotta and pesto ravioli in a brown butter sage sauce, The Lex’s signature rib-eye steak, and Charlotte’s crowd-pleasing dessert, burnt Basque cheesecake. Guests will also be treated to a martini on arrival, as well as matched wines with each course. Tickets to this must-attend event are available now via Eventbrite.

Shayne Mansfield at The Star Brisbane
Since opening at the end of August, The Star Brisbane biggest attraction has, undoubtedly, been its Sky Deck. While the view from the sky-high viewing platform is breathtaking, soon, Sky Deck’s trio of dining and drinking destinations – Aloria, Babblers and Cicada Blu – will tear attentions away from the stunning vista with their menus of tantalising food and drink. Overseeing the culinary offering at all three venues is newly appointed executive chef Shayne Mansfield, a Michelin-star-trained chef boasting more than a decade of experience working interstate and overseas. The Brisbane-born chef will be instilling a philosophy of sustainability across all three venues, with each nosh spot focusing on local sourcing and waste minimisation. Guests can already sample some of Shayne’s menus at Babblers and Cicada Blu, with Aloria set to open in the coming weeks. While details on Aloria’s full menu is still under wraps, the team has confirmed it will feature the likes of smoked carrot tartare, Fraser Isle Spanner Crab with finger lime and brown-butter crumpet and a dry-aged beef Bistecca from Stockyard. Additionally, the beverage program will feature a 12-page wine list featuring hand-picked vintage selections from world-class wineries like Château Lafite Rothschild. Stay tuned for an up-close look at Sky Deck’s three venues soon.

Bloodhound Bar & Kitchen
In sad news for craft-beer lovers of Fortitude Valley, long-running boozer Bloodhound Bar & Kitchen has revealed it will be closing its doors on Saturday October 5. In an announcement posted to the venue’s social-media pages, Bloodhound Bar management revealed that with mixed emotions the team would be wrapping up operations, going on to thank its loyal patrons for their support. In a successive post, the team announced it would be serving a discounted offering throughout the final week. The closure of the venue, which fiercely championed locally made craft beer, will leave a gap in the nightlife district’s offering. No word has been shared on the future of the building, which has housed a corner store, a hairdresser, an accountancy practice and a Tibetan restaurant throughout its lifespan. Rest assured, we’ll keep you updated on any movements.

Ping Pong
It’s hard to believe that Ping Pong, the Thai-inspired restaurant at the heard of Newstead’s Gasworks precinct is already four years old. Time flies when you’re feasting! To mark the milestone, the crew behind the vividly pink restaurant is shaking things up with the appointment of brand-new head chef Sarawut ‘Woody’ Thongmee, who is working with Ping Pong’s executive chef and co-owner Khanittha ‘Bowyo’ Muangsong to create a fresh and fun, yet still sophisticated, menu that is debuting next week. Ping Pong’s new offering will focus on the cuisine of southern Thailand, with the menu divided into snacks, small plates and large share-style mains. Highlight options include Golden Cup pla goong with smoked prawn, nam prik pow, lemongrass, kaffir lime and fried shallot, prawn and scallop dumplings, khao soi, pickles, crispy noodles, chilli oil and coconut cream, and mussels with tom kha sauce, pickles, tom yum oil and roti. Ping Pong’s new menu launches on Wednesday October 9 – head to the Ping Pong website to make a booking.

Sugar Nightclub
Fortitude Valley’s nightclub renaissance is continuing this month with the forthcoming opening of brand-new party destination, Sugar Nightclub. Taking over the history-laden Mclachlan Street space previously home to Alhambra Lounge and Superfly Disco, the Sugar crew – headed by Remi Broadway, Elise Broadway, Regis Broadway and DJ Rymak – is currently implementing a huge upgrade of the venue’s audio-visual capabilities (think a new state-of-the-art sound system and lighting and screens) to create a world-class nightclub environment. Looking to create a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere for revellers, Sugar Nightclub will offer VIP bottle service, an open-format music policy (a request line will be up and running), and a rotation of renowned guest DJs. Sugar Nightclub is set to open with a VIP launch party on Saturday October 12 – click here to RSVP.

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