Pavement Whispers: Volume 508 May 20
From news of the grand opening of a Moreton Bay mega pub to the closure of an OG burger joint, The Weekend Edition is always on the search for the latest food news in Brisbane, dedicated to ensuring its readers are in the know. When we put our ears to the pavement this week, this is what we found out …
Dakabin Hotel
The Comiskey Group – the hospitality heavyweights behind The Doonan, Eatons Hill Hotel and Sandstone Point Hotel – has announced that the newest member of its portfolio will be opening to the public this week. At 11:30 am tomorrow, Wednesday May 21, the group will cut the ribbon on the Dakabin Hotel in Moreton Bay, lifting the cloche on an eye-popping food and drink offering, and suite of amenities. Dakabin Hotel’s restaurant will boast two kitchens – one dedicated to food from America, Great Britain and Europe, and another showcasing a mix of Japanese, Thai, Indonesian, Korean and Chinese-inspired eats. On the entertainment front, footy fans will be able to catch the latest action at The Sin Bin Sports Bar, which boasts an expansive LED Screen, while Dakabin Hotel guests can also get competitive with pool tables, electronic darts and a half basketball court. The opening festivities will kick off with an auction to enjoy the venue’s first beer poured, the proceeds of which will be donated to charity.
Red Hook
In what will be a tough mouthful of news to swallow for Brisbane burger lovers, inner-city institution Red Hook has announced that it will close next month. Red Hook’s owners Happy Fat Group has revealed that the bantam-sized burger slinger will officially shutter on Saturday June 14 after an 11-year innings on Gresham Lane. Hailed as an OG of the Brisbane burger scene, Red Hook has remained a beacon of consistency over the past decade – enduring through the years (including a pandemic) as a popular grub spot for The City’s denizens thanks to its menu of American and New York-style street food, crafted cocktails and top-tier service. In a statement distributed to media, the Red Hook team expressed its heartfelt thanks to the community and also hinted at an exciting new concept in the works. “From our very first order to our final fry, it’s been an unforgettable journey and we’re so grateful for the support of our loyal customers who have made Red Hook what it is,” says the statement. “It’s been an absolute pleasure serving you all. But this isn’t goodbye… something new is cooking, so watch this space!” Punters have a few weeks left to get a final fix of Red Hook’s burgers, hot dogs, Philly cheesesteaks, Peking duck tacos and Reuben bagels. Red Hook will be celebrating International Burger Day on Wednesday May 28, pumping out $5 Brooklyn Cheeseburgers with any beer, wine or cocktail purchased after 6:00 pm. Though the closure is undoubtedly sad news, Red Hook’s legacy will continue over at Happy Fat’s other burger-centric eatery and bar DUMBO at Portside Wharf.
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Revel Brewing Co.
One of Brisbane’s most beloved craft-beer makers has changed hands, with Potentia Solutions Leisure (the group behind Lina Rooftop, Soko Rooftop and Azteca) announcing that it has acquired Revel Brewing Co. The move coincides with the recent debut of Potentia’s Hills of Rivermakers in Morningside – a dining and entertainment precinct centred around the heritage-listed Commonwealth Acetate of Lime Factory on Colmslie Road. The amalgamation of Revel, which has operated a restaurant and brewery setup at the precinct since 2021, sees the Potentia group bolstering its offering across all projects. “The opportunity to serve craft beers not only in The Hills, but also throughout our expanding portfolio was something that was really exciting for us,” says the group’s founder and managing director Ross Ledingham. “As a lover of craft beer I saw an opportunity to diversify into an area we haven’t really delved into yet.” Potentia is wasting little time in upgrading Revel’s brewing capabilities, investing in a state-of-the-art centrifuge system to enhance the quality and efficiency of its beer production. “Introducing the centrifuge marks a significant milestone for Revel Brewing Co.,” said Revel Brewing Co.’s head brewer Dean Smith. “This technology allows us to produce cleaner, more consistent beers while increasing our overall yield. It’s a win-win for both our brewing team and our customers.” In related news, Revel Brewing Co. founder Jay Neven has relaunched Revels’ original Bulimba brewpub as Fuel Brewing Co., which you can read all about here.
Coffee Omakase at Toby’s Estate
Are you a die-hard caffeine fan? If the answer is yes, we’ve got an event you really need to mark into your calendar. At the end of this month, esteemed roaster Toby’s Estate will be hosting a curated coffee-tasting event at its Newstead flagship, giving guests the chance to sample a selection of coffees in an omakase-style format. Toby’s Estate will host seven 45-minute sessions between 7:00 am and 2:00 pm on Saturday May 31 and Sunday June 1 – each session will be hosted by Toby’s Estate’s green bean buyer, who will dive deep into the stories behind this curated line-up of coffees, sharing information on how they are sourced, roasted and brewed. Spots are limited and bookings are essential – get in quick to secure your spot on the Saturday or Sunday.
The Bearded Lady
Brisbane’s live-music scene received a devastating blow last week, when the team behind long-running West End bar and band room The Bearded Lady announced that its last day of trading would take place this Friday May 23. In a statement posted to its social media pages, The Bearded Lady team revealed that despite finding interested parties eager to take over the lease, negotiations with the building’s landlord had fallen through. The statement went on to thank the community for its support and efforts to “keep our Lady Loud.” The Bearded Lady’s final gig will celebrate the launch of the latest single from local band Special Features, with support from Double Date, King’s Currency and Adelaide’s Placement – tickets are available here.
If you’ve heard something that’s worth mentioning in The Weekend Edition’s Pavement Whispers, email [email protected].