The Tinsel Bar Is South Brisbane's Glittery New Spot with Cordial Cocktails and Fairy Bread

When a place calls itself The Tinsel Bar, there's no prizes for guessing what decks its walls — and ceiling, lights and counter, too. Expect thin, glittery metallic strips as far as the eye can see at South Brisbane's newest hangout, which, as its name makes plain, is completely themed around the shiny Christmas decoration.

The neon-lit newcomer to Hope Street will instantly makes you feel nostalgic, indeed, that seems to be one of its main aims. Operating as a bar on Friday and Saturday evenings, and opening as The Tinsel Deli during the day between Monday and Friday, it serves up a throwback menu to match its old-school vibe. When it's not whipping up cordial cocktails (combining gin, lemon, soda and Cottee's cordial) and boozy milkshakes (with musk, vanilla, ice cream and schnapps), it's plating up fairy bread, party pies and bolognese toasties.

They're all part of the nighttime food and drink lineup, alongside fairy cupcakes, hot chips, crudites with french onion dip, sausage rolls, and charcuterie and pickles — and other cocktails, plus a wine and beer selection. Folks looking for some sparkle by daylight can snack on sandwiches, toasties, salads and juices. And, because retro lollies are a natural fit for a place like this, The Tinsel Bar also sells Pop Rocks and Push Pops.

Launching on Friday, October 18, The Tinsel Bar is a collaboration between restaurateur Maris Cook (Maeve Wine, Hello Please) and noted tinsel fan Rachel Burke — who, down the line, will host art and craft-themed sessions at the venue.

As well as giving Brisbane a glitzy new brunch, lunch and weekend drinking spot, The Tinsel Bar will also be available for parties and events. Well, the decorations are already up.

Find The Tinsel Bar at 58 Hope Street, South Brisbane, open from 5.30pm on Friday and Saturday nights. From 9am–2pm Monday–Friday, it also operates as The Tinsel Deli.