The building on Charlotte Street has seen many lives. Once a light engineering factory, then a telecommunications warehouse and now home to Frogs Hollow, named for what the area was called back when it was a hotbed for debauchery, with brothels, opium dens and boarding houses across the original red-light district in Brisbane — and a little swampy, hence the name.
Frogs Hollow is the brainchild of co-owners and industry veterans Peter Hollands (The Gresham) and Nick Winter (Biànca Restaurant, The Gresham, Mjølner), with the drinks curated by Thiago Silva (Black Pearl, Captain Melville, and Mjølner).
The venue retains its historic brick facade and brings in elements of cowboy culture with its old wine barrels, saddle-topped bar stools, cowboy hats everywhere, a wagon wheel hanging from the ceiling above the bar and a lot of country music. Despite what you might be thinking based on that description, this is all done very tastefully and there's not a yeehaw in sight.
Behind the bar, you will find an extensive collection of over 400 whiskies with sips from Australia, America, Ireland, Scotland and beyond. If whisk(e)y isn't your drink of choice, there's an impressive selection of gins, rums, tequila, mescal, beer and Aussie wines. The cocktail menu changes periodically, so you'll have to go in and ask the talented team to create the perfect concoction for you.