Stir Down
The team behind 1st Edition and Viva La Cali is continuing its barnstorming run of bespoke boozer concepts, taking over another slice of California Lane real estate for Stir Down – an intimate drinker that will specialise in, well, stir-down cocktails. For the uninitiated, stir-down drinks are typically ones that are almost entirely spirits based (think negronis, Manhattans or martinis) that are best stirred, not shaken, before serving. The tiny 20-seater bar will serve a tidy cocktail list with around eight options, each offering a different take on a classic recipe. Stir Down’s selection of concoctions will be changing regularly, while a list of boutique wines will also be on hand for those after something different. The bar will also be serving a small selection of antipasti-style fare, including cured meats from Saison Small Goods and artisanal cheeses. Stir Down is expected to open in early September – stay tuned for updates!
Sunsets
Opening in time for the warmer months (and the cracking weather that comes with it), Sunsets in Kangaroo Point is set to join the ranks of Brisbane’s simmering rooftop bar scene. The brainchild of the Tuivaiti, Mead and Hartley families, Sunsets is a desert-inspired oasis in the sky, with a north-facing orientation offering near-unbeatable views of the city skyline and The Gabba. The 100-capacity venue will boast an open-plan layout, with low-set couches, high tables and bench seating at the lip of the rooftop ensuring everyone can take in the sights. The Sunsets team has linked up with Alemré Group (the operators behind Olé in South Bank and Hawthorne’s Downtown Istanbul) to devise a food offering that encompasses tapas-style bites and shareable mains. These dishes will be available alongside a similarly Mediterranean-inspired cocktail list, think clean, citrus- and fruit-based concoctions ranging from classic margaritas to more creative sips. Check out our pre-opening sneak peek at Sunset before it launches in a couple of weeks.
Vertigo
Dining concepts with an experiential aspect are common, but Vertigo – a vertical restaurant taking shape at the top of Brisbane Powerhouse – is certainly a Brisbane first. The eatery, suspended four stories above ground at the lip of Brisbane Powerhouse’s rooftop, is set to get hearts racing and stomachs grumbling this October. Run in partnership with outdoor tourism operator Riverlife, Vertigo will require diners to don safety harnesses before clambering out to their table. When secured to the custom-made dining rig, they’ll be able to nosh on fare from the Bar Alto kitchen while taking in sensational city views. When they’re done with their meal, guests will be given the option to exit via a dropline, down which they can abseil to terra firma. Bookings for Vertigo are open now – you can make a reservation via the restaurant’s website.
Midtown
Martinis, seafood and intimate vibes will be on the menu at Midtown, a small bar opening soon on Fish Lane. Amelia and Daniel Miletic (who also own sensational seafood restaurant One Fish Two Fish in Kangaroo Point) have taken over the slender space formerly home to Butler for the concept, which draws inspiration from the couple’s travels abroad. Midtown will be reminiscent of a New York-style cocktail bar with a few Spanish-inspired twists informing the menu. Seafood will be a specialty, with smaller bites – such as Boomer Bay Pacific oysters, Spanish octopus with green-olive tapenade and prawn croquette sliders – expected to be available alongside large-format plates of Fraser Island spanner crab tortellini, seacuterie platters and whole fish cooked and served with baby gem salad and fries. On the drinks front, Midtown will specialise in classic cocktails, with a strong focus on the martini. There will be ten different kinds available, all of which can be enjoyed via a flight of two-sip cocktails. Midtown is on track for an early-September opening. Stay tuned for a closer look inside next month!
The Reserve Wine Bar
The lobby bar at the Emporium Hotel in South Bank is getting a revamp. Now known as The Reserve Wine Bar, this a vino-centric haven will be drawing upon a world-class cellar boasting thousands of bottles of fine wine from some of the world’s best producers. The bar will be equipped with a Coravin preservation system and a state-of-the-art Enomatic rotating dispenser that will give guests the ability to sample up to 50 wines by the glass. The Reserve Wine Bar’s wine list, hand-picked by manager Hans Palandt, will include classic vintages from the temperature-controlled cellar to under-the-radar drops, with some of these high-end options also available to purchase by the bottle. Click here to read all about what The Reserve Wine Bar will have on offer when it launches later this month, including complimentary tastings, jazz nights and high teas.
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