Overview
Enjoying live theatre, a gig or experimental art is never fun on an empty stomach, so with the annual Brisbane Festival kicking off this week we thought a pre-game feasting guide could help fill your tum right up. Brisbane Festival have teamed up with 19 restaurants to bring you specials that are sweet on the hip pocket but full on the taste buds.
You’ve got no excuse. Get out there and enjoy the city this month, after all this is our festival.
P.S We also have a sweet prize to give away, keep reading.
Judith Wright Centre
In the heart of the Valley, you’re spoilt for choices. The suburb is known for its Asian cuisine, and we recommend you check out new-comer Ho Chi Mama. They’re bringing Vietnamese street food to Brisbane in an eclectically-styled venue, and it is right across the road from the Judith Wright Centre. A win all round.
For a post-show debriefing, spill out into Glass Bar, it’s in the Judith Wright Centre itself and boasts a huge cocktail list as well as snacks, tapas and pizza. Their friendly staff will make you feel right at home in the intimate setting. If you need an extra shot of culture, order a round of sake at Harijuku Gyoza. You know the deal.
From here it’s just a hop, step and a jump to some of your favourite Valley bars. Ask Sean at The Press Club to whip you up an award-winning cocktail. He was crowned champion at the Angostura Cocktail Challenge Queensland final last week.
QUT Theatre Republic
Brisbane Festival’s newest venue is located in the university at Kelvin Grove. The creative precinct boasts a number of quick bites nearby including student favourites Burger Urge and Zambrero, or for those wanting something more romantic than burgers and fries, stop by the likes on Libertine or Iceworks in Paddington on the way.
Just a few hundred metres from the La Boite Theatre is the very quaint Room 60, a late-night cultural space and bar. Pull a retro chair up on the astroturf and commence yours post-show debriefing over a beer. Just beware approaching hipsters.
South Bank
Brisbane Festival and South Bank are a match made in cultural heaven. On one hand, South Bank is the heart and soul of the festival, and on the other it’s Brisbane’s ‘go to’ suburb for restaurants. Dining here you’ll be spoilt for choice. Champ Kitchen + Bar is on the doorstep of where the Spiegeltent will be set up. Their Festival Flavours dish is a delicious seared Yellow Fin Tuna with watermelon, soy gel and wasabi. It looks more like art than food and is a bit like eating deconstructed sushi. Delish.
For drinks, escape to Bacchus. Set above busy Grey St, this classy poolside bar surrounded by comfortable lounges. If you want to join the fiesta, head to Ole and order a jug of their finest sangria. There is of course the magical and splendid pop-up Garden Bar at the Spiegeltent, as well at the fabulous Euro-beat Wunderbar at QPAC. We hear both are set to be bigger and better this year and can’t wait to join in the festive fun. Last but not least, don’t forget to spend a night settled in at the Santos GLNG Lounge to view the light fantastic on at various times nightly throughout the festival.
Brisbane Powerhouse
It’s always a fun trip out to the Powerhouse, it’s close to everything yet feels like a world away. Set right on the river, the Powerhouse has always been a provider, heh, and for your convenience both Bar Alto and Watt restaurant are located within the centre. Watt have paired up with Brisbane Festival to offer a delicious chef’s tasting plate, it goes perfect paired with a Little Creatures, and we won’t judge if you order the same thing post-show.
If the thrill of the journey is more your thing, we recommend a stop on your way down James St at Bucci, Gerard’s or Harvey’s, or Brisbane favourite Beccofino in Teneriffe. As the Powerhouse won’t be your final destination, trot back via At Sixes and Sevens to get the necessary fuel to make it home, or head on into the Valley.
Metro Arts
Pre-game feasting doesn’t get any easier than this, situated within the Metro Arts building is Verve Restaurant and Cider Bar serving up some Italian inspired fare. Though, if you prefer dining with a view, Eagle St Pier is just around the corner where the likes of Sake, Cha Cha Char and Riverbar may tickle your fancy.
After the show, slip down Burnett Lane and head into Super Whatnot where the coolness of this laneway bar will seep into your veins and give you a taste for craft beer. Following your new found craving, give the Embassy a chance. Yes, the Embassy. No longer a trashy stale-beer-and-vom-smelling venue, its latest makeover has transformed this place into a boutique beer bar. For the interior think raw brick, honey wood and clean slicked floors not dim lights, sticky floors and the grimey club vibe. Hooray for renovations!
Riverstage
The Botanic Gardens are a bit of a stretch from it all and chances are your bus/train/car are a mile away so enjoy the walk. You’re spoilt for choice in the CBD, but many are hidden where only a local can find. For dinner we nominate Spring on the fringe of the gardens. From here it’s just a hop, step and a jump to Eagle St Pier’s plethora of eateries. And if Aria isn’t in your budget, there’s always Grill’d.
The two large-scale events at Riverstage are free so there’s no excuse not to go drop a dollar at casino, or even better on a beverage (or three). Fat Noodle in the casino will be shaking up the official and specially designed festival cocktail - the Barcardi La Fiesta. It’s delicious, we’ve tried it, you know, in the name of research.
Brisbane City Hall
The city centre is not just flash for its shopping precinct. Tucked away in a couple of laneways, try Vapiano for a quick pizza or pasta fix with a difference, or share some plates and tipple at Brew. As part of Festival Flavours, Brew is offering, wait for it, slow braised beef cheeks on a bed of spiced pumpkin puree with a wine for $30. Gee, they had us at slow braised.
Escape the rat race and soar six storeys up where you’ll find Vintaged Bar + Grill serving top quality fare in the Hilton hotel. Laze around drinking cocktails in the lobby bar for some interesting people watching. Besides the constant stream of perfect Emirates flight hostesses, you might find your future husband - be he a pilot or a millionaire.
WIN TICKETS TO BRISBANE FESTIVAL
Concrete Playground readers have the chance to win a special night out thanks to Brisbane Festival. One lucky reader will win two tickets to see URBAN on Saturday, September 14 at 9.30pm and two $30 Festival Flavours vouchers to use at 5ifth Element for a pre-show feast.
Here after sell-out seasons from Columbia to Paris, URBAN is a high-energy circus show that tells a story of the streets. Through dance, music and acrobatics, Circolumbia reveal the real joys and violence the young artists grew up around.
Brisbane Festival has paired up with 19 great restaurants to offer some mighty fine wine and dine deals for the duration of the festival. Audiences can tuck into a Festival Flavours dish and a beverage for just $30 from September 7 to 28.
For your chance to win, be subscribed to the Brisbane Concrete Playground newsletter and email your name, address and phone number to daniela@concreteplayground.com.au with 'Brisbane Festival' in the headline by Tuesday, September 10. Winner will be drawn at random.