Kiddo
Quentin Tarantino’s masterful two-part film Kill Bill is a cult favourite for many – a martial-arts epic that has endured the test of time thanks to its stylised cinematography, iconic action scenes and effortlessly cool aesthetics. Fortitude Valley’s forthcoming bar and eatery Kiddo (named after Kill Bill’s lead character Beatrix Kiddo aka The Bride aka Black Mamba – played by Uma Thurman) is taking some cues from QT’s blood-soaked saga. The spot will occupy a cosy space on Brunswick Street (the former home of Shishou Sake Bar), and will take shape as an exclusive high-energy bar specialising in American fast-food-inspired eats and drinks with a discernible Japanese twist. Most of the tasty details are still hush hush, but we know the aesthetic will boast numerous nods to the films, while also hiding clues for Kiddo’s secret menu. It’s on track for a soft opening in mid-October – keep your eyes peeled for an in-depth look soon!

Margarita Margarita 
Is your party planning needing a little extra zest? There’s nothing a margarita can’t fix – especially when it’s shaken and served out of a vintage van named Stanley. Stanley is the centrepiece of mobile cocktail bar Margarita Margarita, which is due to launch in the coming week. The concept was born from a love affair with – you guessed it – margaritas, which was cemented on a holiday in Maui taken by Stanley’s owners. The freshness of citrus coupled with that salty rim instantly transports the couple into holiday mode, so they created Margarita Margarita to bring that vibe to parties and events across Southeast Queensland and Northern New South Wales. The star of the show, Stanley – a decommissioned vintage ice-cream van from the UK – has had a total makeover, including a new pop-up serving window, running water and sinks, ice wells, fridges, freezers and two cocktail stations, plus of course a zesty new look. To start, Margarita Margarita will serve up classic margs over ice, with more variations to come. Stanley and the Margarita Margarita team will be available for bookings from this weekend via the website – we’ll have full details for you soon!

Joey’s
Kangaroo Point’s iconic clifftop cafe is currently undergoing a significant makeover, transforming the venue into restaurant and bar Joey’s. Guests can expect a total departure from the former site (which was previously home to Bar Spritz), with Joey’s set to offer a relaxing vibe within a fresh, coastal-inspired setting. The restaurant and bar will be open seven days a week, serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner alongside an impressive wine list curated by a renowned award-winning sommelier. The site’s new fit-out has been specifically designed to take advantage of Joey’s enviable position atop the cliffs, ensuring every seat can experience the breathtaking 180-degree views of Brisbane City and the Brisbane River. Joey’s is set to open in late October, with reservations open via the website from this Thursday October 8. We’ll have the full details once Joey’s opens at the end of the month!

Botany
Despite the year we’ve had so far, Newstead’s Gasworks precinct continues to flourish. The hub has welcomed new arrivals such as Ping Pong, Smokey Moo and Meet + Greens this year already, and soon these new arrivals will be joined by Botany – a forthcoming eatery from Muragh Operations, a hospitality group that also operates The Jetty in South Bank. This full-service restaurant and bar will be taking a classic approach to dining, dishing up the likes of sourdough eye fillets, cauliflower bites and strawberry tiramisu, as well as a sizeable cocktail list that boasts a distinct focus on gin. The Muragh Operations team describes the venue as one perfect for lazy long lunches and after-dinner drinks, with lush greenery making it a top spot to relax. Best of all, it’s aiming to be open by the last week of October – just in time for the Melbourne Cup! Stay tuned for an in-depth look on The Weekend Edition in the coming weeks.

Dude & Duke Beer Hall
There’s some exciting things taking place out in Deception Bay, with the forthcoming arrival of multi-faceted community hub Dude & Duke Beer Hall. Part casual eatery, part craft-beer bar, Dude & Duke is looking inject some life into the food scene of Brisbane’s far north, while also introducing drinkers to what could be the next big thing in pour systems. Owner Alyce La Fauci has taken over the sizeable space formerly home to culinary collective StrEAT Easy for the concept, expanding and renovating the site in order to shape it into a family-friendly go-to for quality food and beer. Alyce is the Australian representative for Pour My Beer, a self-pour commercial beer tap system that is looking to make its Brisbane debut at Dude & Duke. The 120-seat venue will boast 10 Pour Easy self-pour taps dispensing craft beer from the likes of Young Henrys, Slipstream, Aether and Your Mates Brewing (plus specialty cans from the likes of Bacchus Brewing in the fridge), bringing the bartender out from behind the bar and encouraging interaction and information sharing about each drop. In addition to the beer, Dude & Duke will also house Dude&Duke Burgers and Smoke n Wings, so guests can pair their beverage with some perfectly smoked meats, juicy burgers and crispy chicken wings. The space will also have room for live music and DJs, helping make Dude & Duke a cracking all-purpose spot for weekend outings. The team are looking to open the venue on Thursday October 22, with opening festivities coinciding with the AFL and NRL grand-final weekend. We’ll have an up-close look for you as that date approaches.

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

Image: Taylor Simpson on Unsplash