It’s a scene we’re familiar with from a number of American films – the classic sports bar. The beers are flowing, the buffalo wings are stacked high, there’s an NFL game on in the background, Lynyrd Skynyrd is playing, and everyone is having a raucous time. It’s corny, we know, but you have to admit it looks like a helluva good time. Co-owner Adam Barton has always had a soft spot for American sports bars, and after noticing a growing local love for US codes (and not many places to watch the action), he decided it was about time he opened one here in Brisbane. Enter, Fat Angel. The bar has taken over the space former occupied by Coyotito, ditching the Mexican paraphernalia on the walls to make room for American number plates, NBA jerseys, neon beer advertising and victorious shots of sports heroes from Michael Jordan through to Hulk Hogan. There’s even classic redneck shooting game Buck Hunter to add to the vibe. Plus, of course, the screens. Eight screens are scattered around the venue, four of which make up a giant 3-m video wall, each showing basically whatever sport the bar can get its hands on – think NBA, NFL, baseball, UFC, boxing, English Premier League football, NRL, AFL, rugby union, motocross and more – with preference given to the big-ticket games.
Fat Angel wouldn’t be a true American sports bar without the true American eats. You’ll find beef and chicken burgers, Philly cheesesteaks, mozzarella sticks, popcorn shrimp, buffalo wings, salads and more, with sides of mac and cheese, poutine frieds and onion rings. Meat lovers can go for a half or full rack of slow-cooked pork ribs, hickory-smoked beef brisket, buttermilk fried chicken with bourbon barbecue sauce, or a 1-kg tomahawk steak. Coors, Sam Adams, Blue Moon and Fat Angel’s own house lager are all on tap at the bar, plus bottles and cans of USA favourites including Brooklyn Brewery, Goose Island and Pabst Blue Ribbon, and homegrown heroes such as Young Henrys, Feral and good ol’ XXXX Golds. And yes – unless the volume is up on a heated sporting moment, the sounds of Bruce Springsteen, Whitesnake and Lynyrd Skynyrd will be pumping to complete the picture.
For opening hours and contact details, head to our Stumble Guide.
