Motivated by Council's plan to revitalise Brisbane's inner-city laneways, Urbane co-owners Andrew Patten and Andrew Buchanan opened the Laneway bar in late 2009. Despite the source of its inspiration, expect no cosy recess or unassuming hole in the wall. Though its perch overlooking Spencer Lane is discreet, the Laneway itself is a slickly designed, elevated room affixed to the back of sister establishment the Euro (via which it is accessible).
With a roomy and uncluttered interior, the Laneway is a favoured spot for after-five drinks. The food — a cut above your standard pub snacks — also draws a crowd of workers at lunch. Share plates can be mixed and matched by combining 'substantials' (we recommend the Southern-style fried chicken, seasoned with 27 herbs and spices and served with a chipotle sauce) and 'accompaniments' (barbequed sweet corn with a spiced popcorn dry rub, boquerones served with lemon and garlic).
Drinks specials change every week, and the range of beverages should keep everyone happy — domestic and imported beers and wines, some refreshing cocktails and, most significantly, a sweeping variety of spirits (the list of whiskeys is particularly impressive).