Pavement Whispers: Volume 525 September 16
As we hurtle towards year’s end, whispers of fresh openings and new chapters are growing louder. From a bold new sibling for Brisbane’s beloved Norman Hotel to the much-anticipated return of the Grand View Hotel, Queensland’s oldest licensed pub, 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 …
Brisbane’s ‘Worst Vegetarian Restaurant’ is set to open a new venue
Northsiders, get ready – Brisbane’s iconic Norman Hotel is heading your way. Norman Northside – a striking three-storey Spanish-inspired pub – is now officially under construction at the corner of Wardell Street and Samford Road. Set to open in late 2026, the Enoggera newcomer will offer everything fans love about the Woolloongabba original, from premium flame-kissed steaks and in-house butchers to the legendary 1-kg challenge. While beef remains the undisputed star of the show, the menu will also feature a refined line-up of pub classics and non-steak favourites, complemented by local craft brews, a sharp cocktail list and a wine program that’s heavy on bold Australian reds. The 400-seat venue will house multiple private-dining rooms and a rooftop beer garden built for long, lazy afternoons. Norman Northside will continue the sense of community that has defined the steak-slinging institution since 1889 – offering space for cooking classes, casual catch-ups and milestone celebrations. With doors set to open in late 2026, the countdown is on for Enoggera’s newest neighbourhood pub.
Queensland’s oldest licensed pub debuts a new look
If the walls of the Grand View Hotel could talk, they’d have one heck of a tale to tell – from first dates to last drinks, from core memories to hazy ones, from weddings to long-overdue catch-ups and weekends by the bay. Now, after a year-long transformation, Queensland’s oldest licensed pub is ready to welcome a new wave of stories with the Cleveland icon set to reopen in mid-October – freshly reimagined for a new era. Perched on the bay with views across to North Stradbroke Island, the 174-year-old icon has been reinvented with expanded dining spaces, a function marquee, an upper terrace and a sprawling lawn for events. Behind the scenes, a multimillion-dollar kitchen rebuild introduces some serious firepower, including Australia’s largest rotisserie oven, a Josper grill and an Italian rotary-pizza oven, while the bars have doubled their taps for faster, colder pours. Heritage details like the Cleveland Room remain untouched and are joined by a rediscovered 1855 well, which is now showcased as a centrepiece as a nod to the site’s incredible history. With live music, sports on the big screen, a kid’s play area and space for more than 1000 guests, the Grand View Hotel is once again ready to be the beating heart of the community. The official November launch party has sold out, but you needn’t worry, we’ll bring you a closer look inside when it’s ready to open.
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Good Thing to bring caffeinated joy to West End this September
Brisbane Cafe Group’s latest project, Good Thing, is just weeks away from opening its doors in West End – and locals are already buzzing. Designed with community at its heart, owner Dae Kang describes the space as “a place that builds connection and brings positivity to the area.” Expect the rich aroma of Melbourne’s ST ALi coffee drifting through the air, paired with modern cafe favourites, indulgent cakes, grab-and-go bites and specialty sips such as the viral Mont Blanc. True to its name, Good Thing has plenty in store beyond the menu too, with whispers of fun activations including a free coffee day and even a morning DJ rave. West End, your new caffeination station is nearly here – keep your eyes peeled for more!
Fish Lane is hosting a week of negroni-soaked celebrations for a good cause
Brisbane’s Fish Lane is set to stir things up as Negroni Week returns from September 22–28. Midtown, Bar Brutus, Hello Please, Next Episode, Chu the Phat, Julius, Maker, Maeve and Tarbouche will be serving up bold, creative takes on the iconic vermouth-based sip. The event will be in support of Slow Food, a global movement for a fairer, more sustainable food system with every negroni sold supporting Slow Food projects throughout Queensland. One of the headline events is the Secret Handshake Art & Negroni Trail on Saturday September 27 at 2:00 pm, inviting guests to wander the laneway’s public art, greenery and red-brick charm while sampling negroni-inspired drinks. Other highlights during the week include a four-course dinner at Midtown, Bar Brutus’ Chocolonely Negroni as well as other precinct venues dishing out its own take on the fabled evening tipple. Visit Fish Lane’s Art Precinct for all the important details and get sipping!
If you’ve heard something that’s worth mentioning in The Weekend Edition’s Pavement Whispers, email [email protected].