The Elephant

Overview

What comes to mind when you think of The Elephant? Well first of all, you probably know it as The Elephant & Wheelbarrow, a dingy, not-always-clean place every Valley-goer has ended up at in the wee hours of some godforsaken morning.

Well rest in peace, Elephant & Wheelbarrow. The new Elephant has dropped the wheelbarrow and had a facelift to become less of a last-drinks pit-stop and more of an all-night venue. The beer garden, with its bright murals, well-stocked bar and outdoor live music stage, is a great place to while away a sunny afternoon with a pint and a wood-fired pizza. Head inside for more live music and a lively dance floor, or upstairs for an inviting cocktail list and lounge seating.

But first, let's talk about that live music. The Elephant remains one of the few places in Brisbane where you can catch a gig almost every night of the week. Acoustic singer-songwriter sets, original band shows, rock'n'roll tribute shows and classic pub rock all have their place in the gig guide – and are pretty darn good. Keep an eye on the Facebook page for upcoming shows.

Another major drawcard is the brand new wood-fired oven, which churns out delicious pizza 'til late Wednesday to Sunday – perfect for satisfying those post-beer snack cravings. Flavours include classic margherita, Diavolo (hot salami, tomato, mozzarella, olive and basil) and mushroom (all $18). If dinner is on your mind, the food menu also features a handful of fresh salads, (including the crisp fried ocean trout with deep fried egg, cherry tomatoes, green beans, Asian herbs, fried onion and red chilli dressing, $18); a range of sandwiches and burgers (including pulled duck sandwich with red slaw and smoked BBQ sauce, $18), and a smattering of main meals (such as crispy skinned salmon with green beans, cherry tomato and basil aioli, $22).