Finney Isles

Finney Isles is a low-key glamorous cocktail and wine bar unlike any other in Brisbane, hidden behind a closed blue door in Fortitude Valley.

From the owners of Savile Row (whose orange door faces off across the road), this plush lamp and candle lit lounge bar takes its name from a draper’s shop that occupied the building in the 1880s.

Featuring a splendid bar along one wall, original brick pillars, fine leather bar stools and whimsical wallpaper, Finney Isles is the perfect place for a civilised tipple with friends or an intimate date night.

Unique to Finney Isles are the extensive range of biodynamic and organic ‘low intervention’ wines sourced from boutique Australian wine producers and the signature house cocktails, which are pre-made and served from glass bottles/carafes in the manner of wines.

These cocktails are premixed, stored and allowed to ferment, based on an old technique to make clarified punches in the 19th century (bottles of milk punch made in this fashion were rumoured to have been found in Charles Dickens’ cellar) and byrrh (an aromatised wine-based aperitif which was created in 1866).

Must-try is the Ballerina Blood (which tastes like a fresh, fruity, full-bodied wine and contains orange vermouth, Ketel One vodka and goats milk), and the house martini, which is pre-made using olive oil and frozen before being served to customers, garnished with a wild Australia olive, at -10 degrees. Customers have a short window until it reaches -5 degrees to drink it for optimum flavour.

As well as cocktails, Finney Isles has a superb and unique range of wines by the glass as well as a house spritz and a selection of beers on tap.

To complement the drinks, there’s a small selection of quality artisan cheese and charcuterie which make for the perfect accompaniment.

Check out our full list of Fortitude Valley bars HERE.

Still thirsty for more suggestions on where to eat and drink in Brisbane, head to our comprehensive Eat & Drink section HERE! Happy grazing!