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Pavement Whispers: Volume 217 April 9

Pavement Whispers: Volume 217 April 9

From whispers of brand-new laneway tapas bars and riverside burger joints, The Weekend Edition is always on the search for the latest news in Brisbane, dedicated to ensuring its readers are in the know. When we put our ears to the pavement this week, this is what we found out …


El Matador
It’s an exciting time for the inner-city party scene as Burnett Lane’s current boom brings with it some more announcements. Following hot on the heels of the recent opening of Death & Taxes, laneway tapas bar El Matador is set to open this Thursday April 11. The venue comes from Leo Castelluccio, an established figure in the Melbourne scene who has developed numerous venues including Cato, the Graffiti Club and Bakers Gallery. El Matador marks Leo’s first foray into the Brisbane market, and it’s shaping up to be a doozy. Celebrating the best of Spanish produce, techniques and tradition, El Matador will serve a menu of tasty tapas-style morsels cooked in its woodfired Spanish pira oven, including the likes of smoked Spanish mussels with pickled beetroot, Mount Zero local olives soaked in rosemary, garlic and chilli, Spanish banderilla skewers, three-cheese tarts and much, much more. Meats will be sliced to order fresh from the humidor, and the food will be bolstered by a beverage list encompassing spritzes, sangria jugs, cocktails, Spanish beers, ciders and worldly wines. We’ll have a closer look for you come Thursday, but the Burnett Lane fun doesn’t stop there …

The Burnett Lane Cocktail Bar
Leo is doubling up on his Burnett Lane ventures, already planning his next move after El Matador’s Thursday opening. Directly across from El Matador will sit a brand-new karaoke and cocktail bar called The Burnett Lane Cocktail Bar, which sounds like it will be the perfect venue for belting out the hits before or after a tapas feast. No word yet on when The Waiting Room will open, but rest assured we’ll share the details once they’re announced.

Betty’s Burgers at Howard Smith Wharves
In case you missed last week’s news (or thought it was just a dream that was too good to be true), we’d like to remind you that Betty’s Burgers is coming to Howard Smith Wharves. Yes, the good old-fashioned burgers and sides we’ve come to know and love will be available at a new waterfront joint overlooking the Brisbane River, which will boast the brand’s signature retro beach-shack aesthetic. Betty’s Burgers at Howard Smith Wharves will be Brisbane’s fourth location, joining established stores in NewsteadChermside and Indooroopilly. Betty’s Burgers at Howard Smith Wharves is slated for a late-May opening.

Loyal Hope of The Valley
There’s some exciting news in the realm of boutique event spaces, as the team behind popular venue Lightspace has announced a new venue just off James Street. Loyal Hope of The Valley is a gorgeous Art Deco-inspired venue housed in a heritage-listed hall on Morgan Street near St. Patrick’s Church. The building, first constructed in 1923 for the Queensland branch of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows Friendly Society, has been lovingly restored and transformed into a white-timber country hall, boasting polished-timber floorboards, an eye-catching bar and huge timber sash windows. A great spot for intimate weddings, cocktail and dinner parties, workshops or photoshoots, Loyal Hope will be available for bookings starting from late April and beyond.

Burger Time 69 Corinda
Burger lovers are certainly being spoiled recently, especially now that word is spreading that burgeoning beef-and-bun chain Burger Time 69 will be opening a new joint in Corinda within the next week. Burger Time 69 currently boasts spots in Bulimba, Toowong, Everton Park and West End, each serving up stacked classics and specialty burgs, plus ribs, tacos, sides and shakes. We hear that Corinda will offer a strong selection of vegan options, which is great news for the plant-based diners. Speaking of which …

Meow Creative Vegetarian
West End is set to score a new plant-based eatery in the next fortnight, with Meow Creative Vegetarian currently setting up shop on Boundary Street. Although exact details of the offering are being kept under wraps, we’ve been told to expect a multitude of vegan-friendly options, including burgers, curries and breakfast bites. Keep your eyes on The Weekend Edition for more details soon.

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

The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Brisbane dining guide with more than 2400 places to eat, drink, shop and play.



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