At Sixes & Sevens
Fortitude Valley
Adding a historical touch to thoroughly modern James St, At Sixes and Sevens is a gorgeous public house come gastro pub inhabiting one of the area's oldest surviving buildings – a heritage listed weatherboard cottage dating from 1878
One side opens up to the 'yard' – a summer–perfect terraced deck area with outdoor beer bar and astroturf lawn, while in a nod to the public houses of last century, the inside is divided into a saloon style bar stool and rough wood tables at the front and a lounge area with leather couches, armchairs and ottoman out back.
The history of the building, which started life as a cottage owned by Lawrence Muir and had its shopfront added in the 1920's, has been carefully preserved, from the sandstock working fireplace, and raw wood VJ walls to the little glass display cabinet of century old letters, postcards and photos found beneath the fireplace hearth during renovations.
The delicious homey bar food comes primed for sharing, with beef short ribs with spice BBQ and cola marinade a standout, as well as toasties, chicken drummettes and pinenut and herb crumb fish fingers, cheese boards and nibbles such as house mixed olives with grissini or corn cob wheels with chipotle butter and parsley.
Otherwise there are stand alone dishes like pies and burgers or chicken, pork or steak off the grill, and desserts like pavlova or lamington bites to follow.
From the bar menu, punters get to choose from boutique beers on tap or by the bottle, ciders, carafes of wine, pitchers of punch and a small selection of quality red and white wine varietals.
The menu may have changed since our visit.
Check out our full list of Fortitude Valley bars HERE