Soho Place
Soho Place is the latest venture from Scott Imlach, owner of Bine Bar & Dining and Hideaway Kitchen & Bar. Scott has teamed up with business partners Simon Tunbridge and Michael Craighead to bring us the Gold Coast’s first bar to legally operate with no food and no kitchen – and here’s the catch, you can actually BYO food (um, hello UberEATS). It’s based on the ‘speakeasy’ style of hidden bars that popped up in the Prohibition era – they were hidden and had little signage, which is exactly what we can expect from Soho Place. Whilst these were traditionally very secretive establishments, we’re allowed to let the cat out of the bag with this one – it’s located on Main Place in Broadbeach next to Double Zero pizzeria. No, there won’t be any signage, but we’re told the landmark for the London-themed bar will be the bright red telephone-box doors. The 60-seat bar will operate seven nights, and is said to be targeted at the ‘sophisticated’ drinkers  – think modern cocktails and top-end Australian spirits. Construction is underway, with an expected opening date of around mid-June. We’ll have all the intriguing details for you then!

Nightjar
So, the gents behind Soho Place are wasting no time now that bars without kitchens and food are now legal – Nightjar, located in Burleigh Heads in the alleyway behind Justin Lane, will open its doors around October. It will stick to the speakeasy theme, with a heavy focus on refined cocktails – and much like Soho Place, Nightjar will be aimed at the 25 year-plus age bracket. Finer details are being kept under wraps for now, but we’ll keep you posted when Burleigh’s newest alleyway bar comes to life.

Tacocat
The masterminds behind Easy Street Diner and Luckies Diner at The Collective, Lucas and Erin, have a new venue underway in Burleigh Heads called Tacocat. Works have just commenced on the new 60-seat space, which is located in the premises formerly occupied by James Street burger joint Girven Road. The new eatery will be themed on ‘Mexican and margaritas’, and while the menu is still being fine-tuned, we’re told to expect very authentic Mexico City-style fare … plus cocktails, lots of cocktails. In fact, the menu is expected to feature half food, half cocktails – so it’s safe to say the drinkables will be taken very seriously here. Tacocat is due to open at the end of June. We’ll keep you posted!