The Weekend Edition - Sleep In. Slow Down. Enjoy.

Emporium Hotel shows off the understated luxury of its brand-new Piano Bar Emporium Hotel shows off the understated luxury of its brand-new Piano Bar Emporium Hotel shows off the understated luxury of its brand-new Piano Bar Emporium Hotel shows off the understated luxury of its brand-new Piano Bar Emporium Hotel shows off the understated luxury of its brand-new Piano Bar Emporium Hotel shows off the understated luxury of its brand-new Piano Bar Emporium Hotel shows off the understated luxury of its brand-new Piano Bar Emporium Hotel shows off the understated luxury of its brand-new Piano Bar Emporium Hotel shows off the understated luxury of its brand-new Piano Bar Emporium Hotel shows off the understated luxury of its brand-new Piano Bar

Emporium Hotel shows off the understated luxury of its brand-new Piano Bar

It’s been a whirlwind six-month stretch for the Anthony John Group, which has celebrated the opening of its five-star hotel at Southpoint with a procession of food and beverage offerings. Following on from the openings of Parisian-inspired patisserie Belle Epoque and stunning rooftop bar The Terrace, Emporium Hotel has unveiled its eye-catching art deco influenced Piano Bar. Showcasing a blend of refined opulence and approachable convenience, the Piano Bar is the ideal spot for a handy meeting point, an elegant evening out or a post-dinner nightcap.


The story
Since officially opening to the public in 2018, the evolution of South Bank’s Emporium Hotel has taken a considered approach to the roll out of its anticipated drinking and dining venues. A new chapter has been added to the story with the recent arrival of the hotel’s third in-house venue – an eye-catching ground-floor watering hole called the Piano Bar. Tastefully riffing on the classic lobby bar concept, the Piano Bar looks to provide an unpretentious and reliable meeting place for hotel guests, residents of the adjoining apartment buildings and the greater public from morning until well into the evening. Like Belle Epoque and The Terrace before it, the Piano Bar has been imbued with its own sense of personality, while adding a malleable facet to the hotel’s array of culinary and function options.

The space
Like the rest of Emporium Hotel’s food and drink destinations, the Piano Bar’s design was envisioned and actualised by Anthony and Francine John. The couple were careful to instil a chic 1920s vibe while avoiding cliché and pastiche, integrating signature Emporium details within the colourful and lavish surrounds of the space. Piano Bar’s sliding bi-fold doors are visible from the lobby, opening up in the morning to provide a sense of flow from lobby entrance to bar. Hanging above a bespoke backlit onyx bar (made from Queensland stone) is an impressive four-tiered chandelier, constructed from individually hung pieces of gold and crystal. With your eyes already turned upward, be sure to cast your gaze across the gorgeous coffered ceiling and black-mirrored surfaces. The rest of the space boasts a savvy collection of noteworthy features, including the illuminated shard wall behind the bar and laser-cut frangipanis in the bi-folds, as well as custom-designed furnishings, sizeable television screen and gorgeous piano sitting near the bar’s rear wall.

The food and drink
When it comes to nourishment, Piano Bar’s offering has been crafted to cater for early birds and night owls alike. Emporium Hotel’s executive chef tandem of Chris Norman and Alex Liddle has divided the food menu into three distinct sections – brunch, all day and late night. The brunch bites are purposefully light, ideal for those seeking something simple for a pit stop snack (think gourmet sausage rolls, toasted sandwiches and smashed avocado with Tasmanian smoked salmon). Piano Bar’s all-day dining menu is stacked with contemporary classics, some perfect for grazing (poached Queensland prawns, whole-baked camembert wheels), some more substantial bites (black Angus steak sandwich, club sandwiches) and some decadent finishers (custom affogato with chocolate and liquor pairings). If you’re feeling peckish late in the night, Piano Bar serves up light snacks and guilty pleasures. The bar specialises in barrel-aged spirits, timeless cocktails and a seriously extensive inventory of wines sourced from the hotel’s own 320-case strong reserve list. Piano Bar’s beer offering encompasses local craft and mainstream options, with new selections popping in on a seasonal basis.

Emporium Hotel’s Piano Bar is now open to the public. Head to the Stumble Guide for more details.

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



Suggested Food & Drink Reads

The round-up: what’s open in Brisbane this Easter long weekend

The round-up: what’s open in Brisbane this Easter long weekend

… more

Pavement Whispers: Come To Daddy, an inclusive bar and community social club, is opening soon in West End

Pavement Whispers: Come To Daddy, an inclusive bar and community social club, is opening soon in West End

… more

Experience the Sunshine Coast served up on a platter with The Curated Plate Food and Drink Festival

Experience the Sunshine Coast served up on a platter with The Curated Plate Food and Drink Festival

… more

Savour some well-deserved sweetness with this collection of Easter-themed treats

Savour some well-deserved sweetness with this collection of Easter-themed treats

… more



back to top