Coming Soon: Howard Smith Wharves' Yoko Dining Is Turning Its Upstairs Space Into New Record Bar B-SIDE

For years, if someone said that things were looking up in Brisbane, they were probably talking about the Queen's Wharf precinct with its 100-metre tall Sky Deck, or the city's embrace of rooftop bars over the past decade or so. Over at Howard Smith Wharves, levelling up is also on the agenda, with not one but two of the riverside spot's beloved restaurants revamping their second levels.

Cantonese eatery Stanley was the first to announce that its top floor would become a new bar — and the end result, the Hong Kong-inspired Stan's, opens on Thursday, October 4, 2024. Now, Japanese favourite Yoko Dining has also revealed that it's making over its upstairs space to celebrate five years since opening, and you'll be able to check it out from Monday, October 14, 2024.

Meet B-SIDE, a record bar that takes inspiration from Tokyo in a number of ways. Firstly, Yoko Dining as a two-storey izakaya already owes the Japanese capital's similar joints a debt, so B-SIDE not only embraces that idea but runs with it. Menu-wise, however, it's also nodding to the kind of fare that you'll find in Tokyo train stations.

Explains restaurateur Jonathan Barthelmess, who is behind Yoko Dining: "we wanted to create something that encapsulates the energy and playfulness of Tokyo's vibrant back-alley bars but with a Brisbane twist."

"B-SIDE is for those who want to kick back after work, enjoy amazing food and drinks, and let loose with good music," he continues.

The tunes will come via DJs hitting the decks every night. On Monday evenings, 80s and 90s tracks will be echoing at the bar's retro vinyl sessions. On Sundays from 8pm, discounted rates for hospitality workers who show their RSA card will be on offer.

B-SIDE's drinks lineup has another impressive name involved: Matt Whiley, best-known of late for his acclaimed low-waste Sydney bar Re (which placed 46th in 2021's World's 50 Best Bars list and made the 51–100 longlist in 87th spot). Fresh from whipping up a sustainability-focused cocktail menu across town in Brisbane at W Brisbane's Living Room Bar, he's doing the honours for B-SIDE, where slushies and highballs will feature prominently.

For bites to eat, patrons can tuck into wagyu katsu sliders, prawn buns and two different types of ramen — plus Japanese potato salad, kizami wasabi octopus, tuna tataki and seasonal sashimi sliced to order. Or, for something sweet, there'll be miso caramel soft serve.

On opening day, when B-SIDE starts letting Brisbanites through the door from 5pm, there'll also be 50 bowls of free chicken miso ramen on offer.

Howard Smith Wharves is set to keep looking up thanks to the broader precinct's own plans — if they receive development approval, they'll add a new nine-story hotel to the site, plus a music hall, overwater pool, and waterside food and drinks deck.

Find B-SIDE upstairs at Yoko Dining, Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane, from Monday, October 14, 2024 — open nightly from 5pm–late. Head to the venue's website for more details.

Images: Nikki To / Dexter Kim.