Brisbane's Best Bars In Winter
By Jodi Panayotov
On cold winter nights, some cosy Brisbane bars are worth leaving home for:
Up the narrow set of stairs that once led to the Troubador, a Twin Peaks style scene unfolds: red velvet curtained stage, exposed brick walls and an Oregon timber bar replete with characters. Add to this the staff who greet you like an old friend, great wine, Johnny Cash on the turntable and killer cocktails and you may never leave.
If you weren't a beer fan when you arrived you will be when you leave this North American style dive with its plastic soldiers, pianola, worn leather couches and beast head on the wall. Not only is Scratch bar a source of the most unique craft beers around they come carefully matched with cheese platters. And no need to leave for dinner, order in from next door's Thai restaurant and they'll deliver it and serve it in the bar. And for the non-convertible there's a small batch of wines and spirits on the menu.
Stunning stencil art, vintage furniture, premium wines and beers matched with rustic tapas and cocktails that are crafted, not stirred are but some of the charms of this small bar in the Woolloongabba antique precinct. Settle in to a leather arm chair with an absinthe fountain and a delectable Euro style mezze platter and forget that winter exists.
The hole in the wall in Brisbane's oldest laneway makes for a snug retreat when the winds whistle down the alley that was once a prison yard. Inside the gorgeous exposed brick space (an ex beauty school store room) with its inviting drinking nooks and crannies, settle in with a bespoke cocktail, a glass of old world wine and a delicious bar snack.
While in summertime the courtyard and footpath are where the crowds gather at the 19th century bakery turned stylish bar, in winter the rabbit warren of charming little art deco rooms is the place to kick back with one of the dizzying array of wines, a fine cocktail, champagne or beer. And no need to leave for dinner as The Lark does a gourmet food menu ranging from tapas to mains, with schnitzel night on.
The hip little bar that lived down the city lane has since expanded underground and into food so that there's plenty of room for everyone to stay warm and not go hungry. The drinks, like the bar itself, are about quality not quantity but manage a decent range of wines, ciders, beers, spirits and house cocktails while bar food ranges from nibbles such as aubergine rolls to share plates such as the Ploughman's.
© Must Do Brisbane June 2014 (updated in June 2024)
