Coming Soon: Ghanem Group Is Taking Over the Fox Hotel and Reopening the South Brisbane Venue in Late 2025
This multi-level Fish Lane spot will become a new modern dining and entertainment precinct, in one of the company's largest projects to date.
Thanks to its prime location on Melbourne Street in South Brisbane, as well as its multiple levels of bars, the Fox Hotel was once one of the River City's must-hit pubs — and recently. Soon, it's aiming to be exactly that again. Ghanem Group has announced that it is taking over the well-known and heritage-listed spot, and will reopening the site before 2025 is out. Expect stacked levels of eating and drinking, turning the venue into a new dining, events and entertainment precinct.
"This is our largest and one of our most-exciting projects to date," said Ghanem Group Director Adonis Ghanem, announcing the company's next venture, which follows the launch of Lúc Lắc at Queen's Wharf late in 2024.
"The growing community of this area has long awaited the return of this legendary venue, and to have the opportunity to bring the next era of dining and entertainment to this iconic site is a true honour. This is a project that we are very much excited about."
There's no exact reopening date as yet, but it will be before 2026 arrives. Overall, the aim is get Brisbanites flocking back to the landmark venue, and to make the most of its position as part of Fish Lane. Expect the revitalisation to pay tribute to one helluva building, too, and to both nod to the past and cement the site's future across its various floors.
Yes, making a date here will feel like hitting up different venues in one, with each level adding to a diverse setup. You'll head in via a new entry on Fish Lane, then either hang out in the public bar on the ground floor — where you can grab a bite at the bistro as well — or venture upstairs. Function spaces, a bottle shop and a late-night cocktail lounge will all be included in the Fox's latest guise, as will the rooftop terrace.
Space Cubed Design Studio is leading the charge on the interior redesign and fitout, but heritage features will remain, as will the building's art deco touches. Initially it opened in 1927 as the Hotel Terminus, replacing a prior hotel on the site.
As for what you'll be eating, an array of different cuisines will be on the menu across the Fox's levels.
The pub joins not only Lúc Lắc, but also Donna Chang, Boom Boom Room, Bisou Bisou, Iris Rooftop, Byblós Bar & Restaurant and Blackbird Bar, Dining & Events among Ghanem Group's Brisbane ventures. Adonis and his brother Nehme started the company in 2006, which is when Byblós Brisbane launched, but their family history dates back further, to Lebanese restaurants owned by their parents from the late 70s.
The Fox Hotel
The Fox Hotel will reopen at 71/73 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane sometime in late 2025 — we'll update you with more details when they're announced. Keep an eye on the Ghanem Group's website for further information in the interim.
