The long, meandering river that bisects the heart of our city is perhaps Brisbane’s signature feature. The Brisbane River is so intrinsic to our home’s history, identity and our own daily life that it’s easy to take it for granted. Will & Flow, Brisbane City’s brand-new overwater bar and eatery, has arrived to remind us of the understated majesty of our iconic waterway – plus its opening is perfectly timed to coincide with the advent of summer sipping season. Perched on the banks of the river between the QUT Gardens Point ferry terminal and the city side of the Goodwill Bridge, the 130-seat custom-designed venue is the newest concept to come from the team at Treasury Brisbane and is the company’s first concept to open outside of its stately heritage-listed home in the heart of the CBD. For its first foray outside of its sandstone premises, the Treasury team has absolutely nailed the location. Will & Flow boasts panoramic views of South Bank and the Cultural Centre, with the riverfront venue offering some of the best seats in town to catch the sunset. Aesthetically, Will & Flow’s decor capitalises on the breezy position, with casual indoor and outdoor dining spaces boasting a light-industrial design that imbues the space with a casual-yet-refined vibe.
Will & Flow is designed to be a multi-purpose go-to for all comers – think early risers soaking in the salutary morning atmosphere underneath the shade of the deck’s umbrellas, or cocktail sippers catching the day’s final rays as the lights of the city skyline twinkle on the water at dusk. In order to cater to these varying demographics, the Will & Flow team has assembled an extensive food and drink offering that stretches from morning to night. The menu, which features some nautical inspirations, starts with The Bow – we’re talking craft coffee, juices, five kinds of smoothie, seasonal fruit bowls, acai bowls, pain au chocolat and freshly baked muffins perfect for the morning masses. As the day progresses the menu shifts to Amidship & Topside, where the likes of chipotle-crab charcoal buns, antipasto and cheese platters, and a bounty of morsels dubbed The Sea (Jonah crab, smoked salmon, prawns, oysters, mussels and scallops) cater to the arvo and evening crowd. The menu also makes landfall with Ashore, but stays close to the water with roasted king prawns and scallops topped with bechamel sauce and crisp prosciutto. You’ll also spy pulled pork with slaw, beef brisket, twice-cooked fries and a selection of pizzas from the woodfired oven, topped with luxe ingredients like Lockyer Valley ox heart, local prawn and confit fennel, and prosciutto, salumi and mushroom. Will & Flow’s menu also includes oysters, if you feel like going Overboard. Few things pair better with a view than a cocktail and Will & Flow’s bar has some that will tickle the tastebuds. Sip on a Bitter Summer (a tangy number made from Brisbane Gin, Campari, passionfruit, lime and grapefruit), a blood orange and cranberry cosmopolitan, a Queensland-inspired mango daiquiri, or a lime-and-lemongrass margarita. Keen to keep it simple? Opt for a local beer (XXXX, Newstead Brewing, Eumundi Brewery and Stone & Wood), glass of wine or glass of bubbles instead.
Will & Flow is officially open to the public. Want to pop in and peep the exceptional views? Head to the Stumble Guide for all the important details.
