Damian Griffiths Is Resurrecting Brisbane’s Old Bubbles Bathhouse

A new bar and bistro is under construction in Fortitude Valley and while this may not be particularly groundbreaking, the fact that it’s going up in the bones of Bubbles Bathhouse, a seedy underground casino and ‘massage parlour’ from the late '80s, certainly is — steered by Brisbane hospitality heavyweight Damian Griffiths.

Although Brisbane seems like an innocuous city at times, some might remember an Underbelly-esque period during the late '80s when police and governmental corruption was rampant and the inquiry into said corruption brought down the Bjelke-Petersen state government. Bubbles Bathhouse was allegedly a notorious hangout for corrupt cops and sleazy politicians, but its new owners are hoping to clean up its reputation. Although it has a pretty racy history, it’s the perfect setting for a themed bar and bistro. And the kicker? There's going to be a 15-person spa bath in-house because some things never change.

The as-yet-unnamed site (tentatively called ‘Bubbles’ in the press) will open in September and buck the trend of old-school style American diner fare with a basic but authentic Gallic menu executed by chef Norman Harvey. Mark our words — the next big thing in dining is steak and French fries and this new eatery will have both in large quantities.

The venue has been unused for some months and prior to that housed a pretty lacklustre Vietnamese restaurant. Griffiths, the owner of Alfred and Constance, Limes Hotel, Kwan Brothers and Doughnut Time, hopes the redevelopment will breathe life into an oft forgotten but charismatic corner of the Valley.

Via Good Food.

Images: Limes Rooftop, Stingray Finn.