The Junk Bar

The Junk Bar is a swoon-worthy, retro drinking den and live music bar in a landmark historic building on a New Farm corner, having relocated here from its Ashgrove birthplace in 2024.

Occupying two character-filled levels in the corner space that was once home to another iconic Brisbane bar, The Alibi Room, The Junk Bar features a cool cocktail lounge upstairs and live performance space The Skukum Bar, downstairs in the basement.

The upstairs lounge bar area features a series of intimate lamplit drinking nooks, furnished with mismatching vintage couches, Turkish rugs and armchairs and separated by pot plants, bamboo curtains and screens. 

Patrons of The Junk Bar at Ashgrove will recognize much of the beloved decor, including the moose head over the internal doorway, the antler chandelier and 1970s oil paintings adorning the walls. And as well as the familiar couches and armchairs, there's also a line-up of bar stools at each window overlooking the street.

Downstairs The Skukum Lounge resembles a 1970s underneath the house rumpus room, with rouch brick walls, concrete floors softened by Turkish rugs, while the stage area is a replica of the Ashgrove Skukum Lounge with its alpine chalet faux timber walls and snow- capped mountain scenery mural.

The cocktail list at The Junk Bar is one of the best in town, with house signatures like Chilli Choc Martini (house-made chilli choc mix with Kahlua, Galliano vanilla, Creme de Cacao & cream); Funky Junk Mojito (Bacardi carta blanca, Malibu coconut rum, lime, mint, sugar & soda); and Junk Island Iced Tea served with coke, pineapple or cranberry juice.

Alongside more creative concoctions like The Log Lady (Fireball cinnamon whisky, fresh orange, lemon & maple syrup topped with choccy biscuits & cinnamon sugar) and Parma Violet (Parfait amour, triple sec, pineapple juice & cranberry juice, served with fresh flowers and glace cherries, you'll also find retro classics like Grasshopper and Margarita. 

There's also a small boutique wine list of mostly Australian wines and for beer drinkers there's  a couple of Aether Brewing lagers and Coopers ales on tap and a small selection of local, Japanese and Victoria beer by the can or bottle.

Food-wise, The Junk Bar offers bar snacks to share such as cheeseburger spring rolls, buffalo wings, loaded fries, sweet potato croquettes and cauliflower bites as well as burgers (brisket, southern fried chicken, vegie or Angus beef) served with a side of fries, three varieties of pizza, and birria or fish tacos.

Good to know - The Junk Bar was the first small bar to open in Brisbane, back in 2010. Check out the nightly live music line-up at The Skukum Lounge, whihc is also available for functions. 

Need to know - There is onstreet parking available nearby on Brunswick Street and Barker Street.

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